When we talk about sustainable housing, we rarely talk about how to prove that. The construction industry is one of the most polluting sectors on the planet. While both expensive and inefficient, it is responsible for up to 40% of global solid waste. Despite widespread talk of “green building,” real data is often hard to find.
EU Taxonomy includes six objectives—ranging from climate mitigation to biodiversity protection—and requires companies to demonstrate how their operations contribute to these objectives, do not harm others, and meet minimum social safeguards. It’s built for accountability.
Mitigating climate change involves reducing emissions at every stage of a building’s life cycle—from materials to operations. Organizations evaluating their carbon footprint should examine both embedded emissions and operational energy use.
How buildings withstand climate-related risks like storms, heatwaves and wildfires. Evaluating physical resilience is increasingly important for long-term planning and insurance.
Sustainable construction should aim to reduce water usage, especially in areas facing drought or water stress. Reviewing factory water use and in-home fixtures is a good place to start.
A circular approach keeps materials in use and out of landfills. Applying this lens means examining waste streams and end-of-life options for all building components.
Construction sites are often major sources of air, noise, and chemical pollution. Evaluating production environments and material choices can highlight opportunities to reduce exposure and environmental harm.
Protecting biodiversity includes avoiding practices that degrade natural habitats or deplete ecosystems. This may include material sourcing, site selection, and waste management. Using recycled materials reduces demand for virgin resources.
While not yet part of the EU Taxonomy, social equity is an emerging area of focus in sustainability reporting. Housing, access, and affordability are all essential components of a just transition.