According to the International Energy Agency, the construction sector contributes approximately 39% of CO2 emissions generated annually on the planet. These emissions come from the energy used for buildings, disposal of their waste, and transport and manufacture of the materials. Additionally, due to the importance of sustainable tourism examined in the proposed environmental plans for the coming decades, and hotels being ranked amongst the top energy consumers in the tertiary sector, the circularity of materials in these type of buildings could significantly contribute to the future sustainable plans. Optimising resources, materials consumption, and waste is crucial to promote a circular economy in the construction and hospitality sectors. In this context, finding the most eco-efficient solutions and materials can drastically change the environmental performance of buildings. This research focusses on quantifying the environmental impact of materials of a hotel and qualifying them through the European framework of Level(s) to facilitate the digital and ecological transition.
Top1. Introduction
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most worrying of all greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere because of its ability to remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years and because of its abundance (Ahmed Ali et al., 2020; Alhorr et al., 2014). These emissions cause an increase in the temperature of the planet. In this context, buildings are the responsible for the 39% of CO2 emissions generated annually on the planet and they also generate 35% of global industrial waste and consume 40% of total raw materials (Mercader Moyano et al., 2021). All of this, makes buildings and construction as a whole, the main responsible for energy consumption in our planet and the depletion of raw materials. In order to achieve more sustainable buildings, we must research about better materials and more eco-efficient construction solutions (Colangelo et al., 2013).
Europe is on track to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, producing no more greenhouse gases than ecosystems can naturally absorb. After the great impact that the pandemic of COVID-19 has had on the global economy, it is crucial to promote more sustainable practices to reactivate the world economy. The main international financial organisms, together with the European Commission, have proposed a series of mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impact and climate change. Innovative construction solutions and nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB) are probably the most important aspect of the ecological transition within the construction sector. That is why this is considered the digital decade of Europe in which it is intended to turn our cities into more efficient and intelligent places and combat climate change through artificial intelligence. The EU's long-term budget, together with the NextGenerationEU, is the largest stimulus package ever financed in Europe. It is a recovery plan to emerge stronger from COVID-19 with an ecological and digital transition to be prepared for any future crisis. In total, 2.018 trillion euros will be allocated to rebuild Europe after the pandemic and achieve a more resilient, digital and green continent. There will be an investment in sustainable and environmentally-friendly technologies, introduce greener vehicles and public transport and make more efficient our buildings (NextGenerationEU, n.d.; The 2021-2027 EU Budget, n.d.).
The European objectives initiated in 2020 such as the Green Deal or Renovation Wave promote accelerating the pace of energy rehabilitation by 2030. The Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a resource-efficient economy (A European Green Deal, n.d.). It will improve the well-being and health of citizens by providing fresh air, clean water, healthy soil and biodiversity, energy efficient buildings, healthy and affordable food, more public transport, cleaner energy and cutting-edge clean technological innovation, longer lasting products that can be repaired, recycled and re-used and, lastly, future-proof jobs and skills training for the transition.
In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an urgent call for action to mitigate poverty, protect the planet and ensure that by 2030, all people will enjoy of peace and prosperity. To achieve these, it proposes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) each of them with specific strategies to improve education and health, stimulate economic growth, address climate change, reduce inequality and preserve oceans and forests (Climate Change - United Nations Sustainable Development, n.d.). These SDGs are considered an urgent call for action by all countries (Transforming Our World: The 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development | Department of Economic and Social Affairs, n.d.), namely, no poverty (i), zero hunger (ii), good health and well-being (iii), quality education (iv), gender equality (v), clean water and sanitation (vi), affordable and clean energy (vii), decent work and economic growth (viii), industry, innovation and infrastructure (ix), reduced inequalities (x), sustainable cities and communities (xi), responsible consumption and production (xii), climate action (xii), life below water (xiv), life on land (xv), peace, justice and strong institutions (xvi) and partnership for the goals (xvii). All of these goals are related with a sustainable future but goals vii, ix, xi, xii, xiii, xiv and xv are directly related with the reduction of CO2 emissions.