Population growth, climate change, urbanization and resource scarcity are driving major transformations in the building and infrastructure sectors. It is estimated that by 2030, 70 percent of the world’s population will live in mega-cities. At the same time, we are using natural resources 1.5 times faster than the world can replenish itself.
Meanwhile, environmental legislation is increasing. In the EU, 2020 targets of a 20-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions versus 1990 levels have been set and are being implemented through binding legislation. Furthermore, voluntary green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, GRIHA, DGNB and others are helping to increase the acceptance, use and development of new technologies designed to help meet these new green standards.