Meet Green Deal requirements with Schüco Carbon Control

With the EU Green Deal, the European Union has set a clear goal for Europe: climate neutrality by 2050. This major challenge will transform the construction sector, which currently accounts for 38% of global CO₂ emissions. The aim is to reduce emissions consistently across a building’s entire life cycle. In future, CO₂ will become a new currency. A building’s CO₂ emissions will be a key criterion for investments and tenders. Through its Carbon Control product and service offering, Schüco helps investors, architects, fabricators and operators meet growing legal requirements. It also helps them find tailored, competitive solutions as requirements become increasingly complex.

Continuous decarbonisation is key for the future viability of buildings

In future, building assessments will centre around the Global Warming Potential (GWP value), which relates to the full lifecycle of a building. With effect from 1 January 2027, those responsible for the construction process will be obligated to calculate the “Lifecycle Global Warming Potential” for every building as a GWP value and disclose it in the energy performance certificate.

This requirement will initially apply to newbuilds with more than 2000 square metres of usable space and, from 2030, to all newbuilds in general. Being able to control the GWP value will be key for the future viability of buildings

Minimising CO₂ across all stages of construction

Schüco Carbon Control makes monitoring decarbonisation of the building envelope possible. Organised according to the four stages in the lifecycle of a building: planning, construction, operation and dismantling, Schüco Carbon Control provides architects, fabricators, operators and investors with a tailored toolkit for tackling the complex requirements of Green Deal regulations.

Four phases to record and reduce project-related CO₂ emissions

Schüco solutions and services throughout the building life cycle

Design to Decarb

Schüco supports planners, investors and fabricators from the earliest project phases. Its services and system solutions cover both new construction and renovation.

Build to Decarb

Implementation options include aluminium grades* with a CO₂ footprint 46–87% lower than that of Schüco standard aluminium. Plastic and hybrid solutions are also available.

Operate to Decarb

Digital solutions such as the Schüco IoF ID make product- and building-related information available throughout the entire life cycle.

Recycle to Decarb

Through RE:CORE, Schüco and its partners are committed to returning materials to the recycling cycle.

Individual Decarbonisation Solutions

Schüco supports architects, investors, operators and fabricators throughout every project phase. Its services and system solutions cover both new construction and renovation. These include CO₂-reduced material grades*, selected Cradle-to-Cradle-certified systems in bronze and silver, and building-integrated photovoltaic solutions (BIPV).

Solutions for investors

Solutions for architects

Solutions for fabricators

Solutions for operators

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Our team advises investors, architects, fabricators and operators on how to record and reduce project-related CO₂ emissions.

* The reference values for the Schüco standard aluminium profile, as well as those for Schüco Low Carbon (LC), Ultra Low Carbon (ULC) and Ultra Low Carbon+ (ULC+) aluminium and the corresponding profiles, are taken from the respective Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

Low Carbon Aluminium, Ultra Low Carbon Aluminium and Ultra Low Carbon+ Aluminium are supplied under the Schüco quota procedure. This means that material grades are not differentiated at delivery. Regardless of the order, delivered profiles may be made from standard, low carbon, ultra low carbon or ultra low carbon+ aluminium. The environmental characteristics shown refer to the quantity of material allocated under the quota procedure.

FAQ

What does the European Green Deal mean for the construction industry?

The European Green Deal aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. As buildings are responsible for a considerable amount of global carbon emissions, the construction industry is facing huge changes. In order to reduce CO₂ values, the Green Deal focuses on energy-efficient renovations and environmentally friendly newbuilds. The Green Deal stipulates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 55% by 2030 compared to 1990, and from 2028 there will be stricter regulations for newbuilds with more than 1000 m² of usable space. From 2030, all newbuilds will indeed need to meet these requirements.

For the construction industry, this means that it will become increasingly important to keep sight of the full lifecycle of a building – from the production of materials through to use and possible re-use. This is where Schüco Carbon Control comes into play. This concept helps to minimise the carbon footprint of a building from the outset. With the right planning and innovative technology, we can meet the requirements of the Green Deal while at the same time create sustainable, future-proof buildings. Schüco helps all parties involved in the construction process to consistently follow this path and meet the objectives of the Green Deal.

Why is it so important to control carbon emissions?

Controlling carbon emissions is essential in order to slow down climate change and protect the planet for future generations. CO₂ is one of the main greenhouse gases that contributes to global warming, which has far-reaching consequences for the environment, economy and society. It is imperative that we take measures to reduce CO₂, particularly in the construction industry, which is responsible for a significant amount of global carbon emissions.

As part of its European Green Deal, the EU has set ambitious climate objectives: greenhouse gases must be reduced by 55% by 2030, and climate neutrality achieved by 2050. From 2028, stricter CO₂ regulations will apply to newbuilds with more than 1000 square metres of usable space, and, from 2030, to all newbuilds in general. Schüco Carbon Control helps to achieve these objectives. By taking a holistic view of the entire lifecycle of a building, Carbon Control helps to minimise the carbon footprint of buildings for the long term.

What is the Global Warming Potential (GWP)?

The Global Warming Potential (GWP) indicates the greenhouse gas potential of a material and thereby its contribution to global warming. The GWP value therefore calculates the potential impact a building will have on the environment over its entire lifecycle. The GWP calculation is based on two types of CO₂ emissions: embodied* carbon, which is the emissions produced by the construction materials used, and operational carbon, which is produced through operation of the building, for example through energy consumption. The GWP value is given as a CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e).

In the construction industry, the GWP value is an important indicator for assessing the impact a building has on the climate. Schüco Carbon Control aims to minimise both embodied carbon and operational carbon throughout the full lifecycle of a building. Carbon Control therefore helps to reduce the carbon footprint of a building and achieve the climate objectives.

*The embodied carbon can be consciously reduced through the choice of materials. To do this, Schüco offers aluminium and PVC-U material grades with different recycled material content and hybrid constructions. Schüco distributes low-carbon aluminium in accordance with the allotment process. This means that no differentiation is made between the different material grades for delivery. The profiles supplied may therefore consist of low-carbon or standard aluminium, irrespective of what has been ordered.

What is decarbonisation?

Decarbonisation means gradually reducing CO₂ emissions with the aim of ultimately achieving a carbon-neutral economy. Decarbonisation seeks to minimise CO₂-intensive processes in industry, as well as in the construction sector. Decarbonisation plays an important role in the construction industry in particular, as buildings produce huge amounts of CO₂ throughout their lifecycle.

Schüco focuses specifically on decarbonisation with its modular Carbon Control system. It enables a building's carbon footprint to be reduced, from the planning stage through to use and beyond. In the process, both the emissions produced by the construction materials (embodied carbon*) and the emissions produced through operation (operational carbon) are considered. The aim is to make buildings fit for the future and come closer to achieving the global climate objectives.