Introducing the Latest Advances in MESTRI-CE Sustainable Building Methodology: Key Criteria and Indicators

Date: 03.09.2024
By: MESTRI-CE
We are excited to share the latest results from the focus Building Standard of the MESTRI-CE project, focusing on the development of a comprehensive list of criteria and key indicators designed to assess and report on building performance. This significant milestone is a crucial step toward the creation of the MESTRI-CE Sustainable Building Methodology (SBM), which aims to address all core areas and dimensions of sustainability.

A Methodical Approach to Sustainable Building Assessment

The MESTRI-CE Joint Working Group has rigorously analyzed these indicators using an impact-effort approach. This method carefully weighs the effort required to calculate, assess, and evaluate the proposed sustainability criteria and indicators against the potential impact they could have in shaping an ambitious action plan. The ultimate goal is to achieve a climate-neutral and sustainable building stock, a vision that is increasingly urgent in our fight against climate change.

High-Impact Thematic Areas

Several priority thematic areas have emerged from this analysis as having a particularly high impact on sustainability. These areas will form the cornerstone of the MESTRI-CE Sustainable Building Methodology:

  1. Energy: Addressing energy consumption and efficiency is crucial for reducing the carbon footprint of buildings.
  2. Emissions: Focusing on minimizing greenhouse gas emissions is essential for achieving climate neutrality.
  3. Materials: The selection and use of sustainable materials play a key role in reducing environmental impacts.
  4. Adaptation and Resilience: Buildings must be designed and constructed to withstand and adapt to the changing climate.
  5. Cost & Value: Balancing sustainability with economic feasibility ensures that sustainable buildings are not only environmentally responsible but also financially viable.
  6. Management: Effective management practices are necessary to maintain and enhance the sustainability of buildings throughout their lifecycle.

Additionally, in the thematic area of Health and Comfort, the criterion of indoor air quality has been identified as having a particularly high priority. Ensuring healthy indoor environments is a critical component of sustainable building design.

The Summary of the results of MESTRI-CE Joint Working Group impact-effort analysis on sustainability indicators in a table can be found here.

If you want to explore this topic in detail, have a look at the full document here!

Next Steps

These identified areas will serve as the foundation for the MESTRI-CE Sustainable Building Methodology. This methodology will guide the construction and renovation of buildings that meet the highest standards of sustainability, ultimately contributing to the broader goal of creating a climate-neutral and resilient built environment.

For those interested in exploring these criteria in greater detail, we invite you to read the full report on the Criteria for the Creation of MESTRI-CE Sustainable Building Methodology. This report offers a comprehensive overview of the indicators and provides deeper insights into the analytical process behind their selection.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to advance our work towards a more sustainable future in building design and construction!