CLIMA 2019 the venue where REHVA meets the global community

Every three year a REHVA member organisation is committed to organise the CLIMA HVAC World Congress. This year to be held 26-29 May in Bucharest, Romania. AIIR the Romanian Association of Building Services Engineers offered to organise this CLIMA 2019 after our last congress in 2016 in Aalborg Denmark. The theme “Built environment facing climate change” is right in the focus of the global challenges we encounter in our professional fields.

The four main topics pinpoint the mayor challenges we are confronted with:

·         Advanced HVAC&R&S technology and Indoor Environmental Quality.

·         High Energy Performance and Sustainable Buildings.

·         Information and Communication technology for Intelligent Building Management.

·         Sustainable Urbanisation and Energy System Integration.

The heading of the editorial in 2016 was addressing the outcome of the Paris 2015 COP21 conference and reported on the harmonised assessment procedures for the Building Energy Performance declaration or certification which are essential to support our industry towards (Nearly) Zero Energy Performing Buildings by 2020. Addressing the set of EPB standards available since 2017 and currently in an implementation phase in European countries. Three years later we are many steps further.

The main topics of the CLIMA 2019 Congress reflect the commitments to developing a sustainable, competitive, secure and decarbonised energy use in our built environment by 2050. To meet that goal, Buildings can contribute significantly to GHG emission reductions, of around 90% compared to 1990 by 2050, all stakeholders need to take measures that aim to reach this long-term GHG emission goal. To remember: our building stock is currently responsible for approximately 36% of all CO2 emissions (in the EU). We all need a clear vision to guide our policies, technical solutions and investment decisions to achieve these 2050 objectives. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change following the (COP 21 conference) boosts the EU efforts to decarbonise its building stock. Taking into account that almost 50% of EU final energy consumption is used for heating and cooling, of which 80% is used in buildings, makes it crystal clear that climate goals can only be reached if our buildings and building systems are renovated at a higher rate. Minimising the energy need of buildings and realise higher energy efficiency of HVAC systems in combination of deployment of renewable energy production. A challenge given the fact that 75% of our current building stock is energy inefficient, the low demolition rates (0.1–0.2% per year), the limited new construction activities (0.4–1.1% per year) and very low refurbishment rates (0.4–1.2% per year).

During CLIMA 2019 the keynote speeches, many paper presentations and workshops will offer opportunities for the professional community to share knowledge and experience supporting solutions to a more sustainable built environment. The four main topics of CLIMA 2019 cover all issues addressed in the European Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) and Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and ongoing discussions related to these directives.

Participating at this CLIMA 2019 Congress is a unique chance to learn and communicate about solutions we have to deliver as professional community. Don’t miss it!