The construction industry accounts almost 40% of global CO2 emissions. A tenth of those are the result of erecting and destroying buildings. The use and reuse of timber – more climate-friendly than concrete and steel, and safer than in the past thanks to modern technology – is on the rise. But can a century of industrialisation be reversed fast enough?

Across Europe, fragmented data and mismatched systems undermine building renovation efforts. A shared data model and a web application aim to align energy certificates and drive coordinated action. But experts warn: “Scaling is key to tackling energy poverty, but coordination and digital infrastructure must keep pace” 

With 85% of Europe’s buildings built before 2000 and accounting for around 40% of EU energy use, smart technologies are central to boosting efficiency and cutting emissions. But is there a disconnect between the drive towards new, state-of-the-art tools and systems, and the people they are designed for?

Beyond technical fixes: from bridging the democratic deficit to the 'social fix', how community trust, inclusive mentoring and the protection of domestic rituals are turning passive consumers into active energy citizens.

Over 41 million Europeans live in energy poverty, with housing costs swallowing up to 40% of household income. To face this dual emergency, an EU initiative is focusing on affordable, climate-efficient housing as a foundation for dignity and inclusion. But experts warn: “Without strong policies and supply chains, innovation stays on paper”

Energy poverty is not just about cold homes; it’s about social exclusion and wasted potential. By blending beauty, participation and innovative finance, a new approach to housing renovation is taking shape. One that puts people — not just buildings — at the centre of Europe’s energy transition

By blending technology, data, and human insight, BEEYONDERS explores how innovation can reshape construction into a fairer and more inclusive industry.

What if your building had a digital brain - and a memory too? Tools like the Digital Building Logbook are reshaping how we manage homes, making energy use smarter, maintenance predictive, and data just a click away. But to make it work, tech must meet trust and affordability.

Energy Performance Certificates are key to improving building efficiency, but their reliability and harmonization remain challenges. With ambitious environmental targets at stake, Europe is racing to unlock their full potential and ensure they drive real change 

Greece has recorded a “monumental growth” in solar power generation and cooperatives are on a promising path to decentralisation and energy democracy. Yet multiple obstacles still prevent many countries from unleashing their potential. And with the commitment of governments called into question by the outcome of the European elections, citizen-led initiatives could take centre stage 

Virtual clones of our cities are popping up all over Europe. As crucial urban planning tools to cut emissions and help achieve carbon neutrality, digital twins are now already heading to the “Cityverse”: a connection of virtual and physical environments, to put technology at the service of citizens' needs

Reducing C0₂ emissions and boosting productivity by over 60%. Going digital can be crucial for global construction, but SMEs struggle to keep pace. Hence, the robot challenge in the AI era: filling the gap with the big industry and letting the whole sector grow bigger and greener.

From the retrofitting of social housing blocks to the set-up of a “biodistrict”, co-designed by school pupils. When urban regeneration faces climate change from a new perspective: “Inclusive and beautiful is better. People must be proud of where they live”.

Social housing associations and EU projects are countering energy poverty with innovative financial schemes and “solidarity mechanisms”: “Buildings refurbishment benefits both the people and the Planet. Social and environmental fights go hand in hand” 

Giving materials a passport, designing buildings as temporary aggregates, and making companies responsible for their products. What we can learn from a European project, Apollo 13 and The Truman Show, to limit the environmental footprint of the construction industry?

Solar panels disguised as ancient Roman tiles or terracotta bricks to match the city skyline. The innovative solutions adopted by the archaeological park of Pompeii and the Portuguese city of Evora pave the way for an inspiring model: turning architectural constraints into assets, boosting heritage and sustainability.

Work is in progress, in Dresden, to become climate neutral in the next few years. The German city, after being selected as one of the 100 European Cities to address this challenge by 2030, chose the Johannstadt neighborhood as its pilot area.

Internationally renowned for the stunning architecture of its City of Arts and Sciences, by local architect Santiago Calatrava, the Spanish city of Valencia has been this year selected among the 100 European cities that will take up the challenge to become climate neutral by 2030.

Beauty in architecture is often expensive, while sustainability should be affordable and widespread. Does this mean that aesthetics and sustainability are in conflict? Or can one integrate the other? Solutions exist. What we need is a cultural revolution.