The “Towards a low-carbon urban environment” panel discussions and workshops in Madrid and Barcelona brought together key actors in the construction sector to examine the challenges and responsibility to reduce carbon emissions. Hosted by LafargeHolcim Spain, the workshop commenced with welcome addresses by Isidoro Miranda, CEO of LafargeHolcim Spain who explained the steps being taken to reduce carbon emissions, and Mariano Garcia, Industrial Director of LafargeHolcim who outlined low carbon products and solutions.

Edward Schwarz, General Manager of the LafargeHolcim Foundation reiterated the aspiration proposed by Lord Norman Foster at the LafargeHolcim Forum 2019 in Cairo: We should “do more with less”. “The objective of sustainable construction incorporates many elements including building with less material, using less energy and resources, and producing less CO2,” he said.

A roundtable debate examined opportunities along the entire construction value chain that enable low-carbon cities. While building materials including concrete are addressing the challenge through low-carbon products and solutions, the entire value chain must be engaged and transformed from a linear paradigm to a circular economy. 

The roundtable panelists were José María García, General Director of Housing for Madrid; Daniel Cuervo, Managing Director, ASPRIMA; Juanma Mudarra, Architect and Certified Passive House Designer; Julia Moreno, Urbanist and Coordinator of the Climate Change Cluster (Forética); Inés Leal, Director of the Smart Cities Congress and the Almost Null Energy Buildings Congress; and Manuel Fonseca, Secretary General of the Association for Sustainability and Architecture (ASA). A second event on the topic was held in Barcelona the following day.

Final Call in the International LafargeHolcim Awards for Sustainable Construction

Attendees were also introduced to the LafargeHolcim Awards for Sustainable Construction which is currently open for entries. The competition seeks leading projects of professionals as well as bold ideas from the Next Generation that combine sustainable construction solutions with architectural excellence. It is the world's most significant competition for sustainable design. Participation is free, and prize money totals USD 2 million.

The Main category is open to architects, engineers, planners, project owners, builders and construction firms for projects at an advanced stage of design with high probability of execution. The Next Generation category is open to young professionals and students up to 30 years of age. This category seeks visionary design concepts and bold ideas at a preliminary stage of design, including design studio and research work. Entries close on February 25, 2020 (14:00 UTC).

www.lafargeholcim-awards.org