2025-30
IEA EBC - Sustainable Cooling in Cities Reference: Annex 97
Teresa Blázquez, Carmen M. Calama González, Julia Díaz-Borrego
Operating agents: Dr Peter Holzer (Institute of Building Research & Innovation, Austria); Dr Philipp Stern (Institute of Building Research and Innovation, Austria).
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About: The impact of climate change is increasingly felt in cities, where extreme weather events such as prolonged heat waves are exacerbated by the urban heat island effect. With more than 55% of the world’s population residing in cities, it has become crucial to address the climatic challenges in urban areas. This urgency has led to the development of the new Annex «Sustainable Cooling in Cities,» which focuses on implementing climate actions in urban agglomerations.
Participation in: (pending)
Website: https://annex97.iea-ebc.org/
2024-29
IEA EBC Users TCP - Human-Centric Buildings for a Changing Climate Reference: Annex 95
Alicia Alonso, Rocío Escandón
Operating agents: Julia Day (Washington State University, USA); Prof. Zoltan Nagy (Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands); Liam O’Brien (Carleton University, Canada); Marianne Touchie (University of Toronto, Canada).
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About: This Human-Centric Buildings Network will develop new knowledge, tools, and technologies to address the evolving role of humans in buildings (occupants, building operators, and other stakeholders) in the energy transition to address climate change. As building envelopes and mechanical and electrical equipment become more efficient, the influence of people on building energy consumption becomes increasingly significant – from everyday behaviors and purchasing decisions to how they act within buildings, interact with each other, cope, and survive during extreme events. The energy transition is not solely about the building inhabitants; it will also impact every stakeholder involved in the building’s life cycle, from designers to operators.
Participation in Activity 1.4.6: Occupants’ behaviour in classrooms in different climates and cultures – Lessons learned from monitoring studies. Activity Leader: Olivia Guerra-Santin
Website: https://annex95.iea-ebc.org/
2022-26
COST Action - Implementation of Circular Economy in the Built Environment (CircularB)
Reference: CA21103
Teresa Blázquez
Leadership: Prof Luis Bragança (Universidade do Minho, Portugal)
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About: CircularB is a COST Action dedicated to advancing Circular Economy practices in the construction sector. It aims to create a common international framework for a circularity rating tool, supported by Key Performance Indicators and adaptable to different countries and regions. By developing a benchmark database and practical guidelines for construction, adaptability, deconstruction, and business models, CircularB will help designers and public authorities promote more sustainable buildings. The tool will also integrate with Open BIM to enable informed design decisions and efficient value-chain management.
Participation in Working Groups 3 (Leader: Prof Helena Gervasio) and 4 (Leader: Prof Philip Griffiths).
Websites:
Official page in Cost Actions EU:
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA21103/#tabs+Name:Description
Official page of the Action:
2017-23
IEA EBC Cost-effective Building Renovation at District Level Combining Energy Efficiency & Renewables
Reference: Annex 75
Teresa Blázquez
Operating agents: Dr Peter Holzer (Institute of Building Research & Innovation, Austria); Dr Philipp Stern (Institute of Building Research and Innovation, Austria).
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About: This project focuses on identifying cost-effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in existing urban buildings by combining energy efficiency measures with renewable energy solutions at the district scale. It aims to clarify how different technological combinations—such as district heating and cooling using environmental or waste heat or decentralized renewable systems—can most effectively transform cities into low-emission, low-energy districts. Through a dedicated methodology, case studies, and best-practice examples, the project will provide clear guidance, tools, and recommendations for policymakers, energy companies, and building owners to support informed decision-making and accelerate the transition toward sustainable urban renovation.
Participation in Subtask C: Case-Studies. Leader: David Venus (AEE INTEC, Austria); co-leader: Silvia Domingo Irigoyen (INDP, Switzerland)
Website: https://annex75.iea-ebc.org/about