Sustainability in construction

The topic of climate protection and sustainability is part of all our daily tasks in a variety of ways - from resolutions and concepts to projects and ideas for the future.

Significance in the construction industry

Globally, construction is considered the number 1 problem sector ...

... 60% of the world's waste is produced,
... 50% of raw materials consumed and
... 40% of energy.

This means that there is also great potential for improvement in the "building of the future".
No climate turnaround without a turnaround in construction!

Climate protection, quality of life for city dwellers and a future-proof economy
Sustainability in construction is crucial here by conserving resources, reducing emissions and creating energy-efficient, long-lasting buildings. It promotes circular material cycles, minimizes waste and relies on environmentally friendly, health-friendly building materials. At the same time, it increases economic efficiency through lower operating and maintenance costs.

Sustainable building promotes a construction method that

• environmentally friendly,
• worth living for,
• future-proof,
• economically sensible,
• socially just
• and is equally beneficial for people and nature.

Responsibility
As a building owner and operator with around 250 employees, we take responsibility by building in a resource-conserving, circular and health-friendly way.

Politischer Auftrag
Klimaneutralität bis 2030

The city of Aachen committed itself to the goal of climate neutrality by 2030 with the council resolution of January 18, 2022.

Aachen is an EU Mission City
By applying for and being selected as one of the EU's "100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities" mission, the city of Aachen has committed itself to climate neutrality by 2030.

In April 2022, the city of Aachen was selected along with 99 other cities for the EU mission "100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030" (originally 377 cities had applied). This European program aims to make 100 cities climate-neutral and smart by 2030.

Climate City Contract: Roadmap to climate neutrality
The Climate City Contract bundles all necessary measures and describes an investment plan and goes beyond the scope of the city by involving numerous companies, institutions, associations, schools and other stakeholders.

2024, 20 European cities have received the EU mission's seal of quality for the "Climate City Contract". Aachen - along with Münster - is one of the two selected municipalities from Germany.

Funding
Participation in the EU mission provides Aachen with privileged access to funding and discounted loans from EU programs, which is of central importance for the implementation of the climate protection measures defined in the Integrated Climate Protection Concept (IKSK). The IKSK defines the specific measures and fields of action required for the city of Aachen to achieve its climate targets.

Integrated Climate Protection Concept (IKSK)
The IKSK defines the specific measures and fields of action required for the city of Aachen to achieve its climate targets. It provides the relevant planning basis and describes how Aachen is translating the objectives of the EU mission into concrete actions tailored to the city, e.g. by promoting renewable energies, energy efficiency and sustainable mobility. It also provides concrete instructions for action for municipal buildings, for renovations and new buildings, as well as for operations.

Pilot project KiTa Breitbenden

This daycare center is built and operated in an almost climate-neutral way. Green pitched roofs, photovoltaic systems and the minimization of sealed surfaces on the site also contribute to sustainability.

About the construction project

Sustainable construction and materials

One example of our sustainable construction methods, materials and approaches is the "greening offensive". Building Management is intensively involved in procedures, potentials and possibilities relating to green roofs and façades as well as façade trees and the associated knowledge building and information exchange.

Greening buildings