Forum for Sustainable Construction and Renovation
MEP Anja Weisgerber (EPP, Germany), member of the EP Environment Committee is chairing this initiative (Fig.). Conscious of the strategic importance of this sector for the economic and social well-being of people in Europe, the aim is to initiate a constructive dialogue among all the stakeholders involved, at every step of the market and supply-chain of the building and renovation sector in Europe (from extraction of the materials for construction products up until their recycling). She said “We need to create a long term vision and develop innovative solutions for the sustainable use of resources, encourage sustainable building design and identify ways to increase recycling in construction. At the same time we should not lose sight of the requirements of consumers for safety, health and comfort”.
This multi-faceted approach attracted the MEPs to co-chairing the EP Gypsum Forum, as champions of the different angles of sustainable development in Europe: Claude Turmes (Green, Luxembourg), Jean-Paul Gauzès (EPP, France) and Julie Girling (ECR, United Kingdom). They will lend their support to streamline the dialogue on sustainable construction policy in areas they consider of the highest importance including energy efficiency in buildings, indoor air quality, public procurement and public investment in infrastructure, as well as biodiversity and land-use planning.
The secretariat of the Forum is supported by Eurogypsum, the European Plaster and Plasterboard Manufacturers association. The president of Eurogypsum, Dr. Maurizio Casalini sees the importance of the EP Gypsum Forum in order to get a forward looking vision: “To go from products to systems, from environmental products to environmental systems, and from extraction to recycling and re-naturation”.
Gypsum is present at all stages of the construction process, from extraction to manufacture of products and their recovery and recycling. An intelligent product and widely used in homes and offices across the world.
