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30th December 2024

How can Luxembourg become a leader in sustainable construction?

In a world where sustainability is becoming a major priority, the construction sector plays a crucial role in the transition to more environmentally-friendly practices. To explore the challenges and opportunities of this transition in Luxembourg, Max Didier, Managing Director of CDCL Groupe S.A., shares his views. With more than 500 employees, this group is a major player in construction and property development in Luxembourg. What are the main obstacles that need to be overcome in order to meet sustainable construction objectives? How can innovations such as CREE’s timber-concrete hybrid system reduce carbon footprints across the sector? What economic and social benefits could Luxembourg derive from a more sustainable approach? Find out in this article how early collaborations can transform the industry and how Luxembourg can become a leader in sustainable construction.

1. In your opinion, what are the main obstacles that Luxembourg needs to overcome in order to meet its sustainable construction objectives?

The main challenge lies in raising awareness among project owners and in their decisions, whether public or private. Although construction companies are generally prepared to adopt more sustainable methods, it is the specifications drawn up by the client that guide the choice of design and materials. Furthermore:

  • Perceived high initial cost: Sustainable materials and technologies may seem more expensive in the short term, but their benefits are realised in the long term through energy savings and durability.
  • Regulations still inadequate: Although progress has been made, current standards do not systematically favour the most sustainable solutions.
  • Lack of awareness and expertise: Some players in the construction chain are not yet sufficiently informed or trained in new sustainable technologies and practices.

 

2. How can companies in the construction sector contribute to the transition towards more sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices?

Construction companies have a key role to play in this transition:

  • Incorporate innovative methods: At CDCL, for example, we use CREE’s hybrid construction system, which combines timber and concrete. This reduces the carbon footprint by 40% by replacing part of the concrete with wood, a renewable resource.
  • Encourage prefabrication: The manufacture of components in the workshop, as in the CREE method, optimises resources, reduces waste and improves working conditions.
  • Work closely with project owners: Proposing sustainable solutions at the design stage can positively influence their choices.

 

3. What are the economic and social benefits that Luxembourg could gain from a more sustainable approach in the construction sector?

There are several advantages to adopting a sustainable approach to construction:

  • Energy and resource savings: Sustainable buildings consume less energy and often require less maintenance, reducing costs over the long term.
  • New specialist jobs: Sustainable technologies and materials require new skills, promoting local employment and training.
  • Improved quality of life: Green buildings are often healthier, with better indoor air quality and spaces optimised for people’s well-being.
  • Economic appeal: By becoming a leader in sustainable construction, Luxembourg could attract more international investment and projects.

 

4. What measures or government policies are needed to support and accelerate sustainable construction in Luxembourg?

To speed up the transition, the government could:

  • Impose sustainable standards in public procurement: Introduce mandatory environmental criteria into specifications.
  • Provide financial incentives: For example, subsidies for projects using sustainable materials or technologies.
  • Encourage collaborative approaches: Getting construction companies involved in “Design & Build” collaborations right from the project design phase has many advantages in terms of sustainability. Early collaboration means that crucial factors, such as optimising resources, using innovative solutions and reducing costs and timescales (by avoiding costly changes during the course of the project) can be taken into account from the outset. Adopting a holistic approach ensures that every decision taken meets sustainability aims – not only during construction, but throughout the building's life cycle, including maintenance and future recycling.

    A good example of this is the recent creation of the Incubator for the automotive sector, commissioned by the Ministry of the Economy and developed with CDCL teams using a “Design & Build” approach. For this project, CREE’s hybrid timber-concrete construction method was used to meet the highest environmental standards.

  • Train and inform: Put in place awareness-raising programmes for professionals and the general public on the benefits of sustainable construction.
5. What five pieces of advice would you give to readers considering environmentally responsible construction?
  1. Learn about sustainable practices.
  2. Choose local and renewable materials.
  3. Focus on energy efficiency.
  4. Work with committed experts.
  5. And don't hesitate to adopt innovative solutions.

About the blog:

 

There is an urgent need for rapid transition to global sustainability. Business and industry have enormous social and environmental impacts. "Why does it matter?" is a bi-monthly blog that aims to elucidate this important topic through the eyes of our experts. 


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