Czech Republic’s roadmap towards a carbon-neutral built environment by 2050

The Czech Republic has committed to supporting Europe’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In alignment with this goal, the Czech Green Building Council (CZGBC) has introduced a comprehensive Zero Carbon Roadmap. 

This document serves as a foundational guide for attaining a carbon-neutral built environment within the Czech Republic, outlining specific steps and measures necessary to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. The CZGBC has already presented the document to the relevant ministries and offered assistance in the implementation of the recommended measures.

Extensive international support

The initiative aligns with the global commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement, signed by 195 countries, including the Czech Republic. Moreover, it supports the European Green Deal, aiming to make Europe a carbon-neutral continent by 2050. Statistical data confirm that without fundamental changes in the construction and buildings sector, achieving decarbonisation is virtually unrealistic.

“Through annual consultations with key stakeholders, barriers to decarbonization in the construction sector have been identified, and corresponding steps to overcome them have been proposed. The CZGBC has engaged with government representatives and offered assistance in implementing the recommended measures,” says Simona Kalvoda, CZGBC Executive Director. The decarbonization roadmap received support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Taiwan Business EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund, and the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC).

Similar roadmaps have been developed in ten other European countries, including Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Key actors in decarbonization

The primary stakeholders in the Czech Republic’s decarbonization efforts include government bodies such as the Ministries of Industry and Trade, Environment, Regional Development, and Finance. Additionally, participants in the construction value chain, financial sector, professional organizations, research institutions, and educational establishments play vital roles. The roadmap provides recommendations for each of these entities.

Categories of Proposed Measures

The proposed measures in the roadmap are categorized into four key areas:

1. Accelerating Renovations and Implementing Energy Savings 
2. Reducing Embedded Emissions
3. Development of Community Energy
4. Cross-Cutting Measures

Specific Steps for Stakeholders

Individual actors in the decarbonization process are provided with specific steps, including the development of a national strategy for climate protection, engaging the financial sector in renovation efforts, supporting manufacturers in decarbonizing production, and updating technical standards for greater use of natural and recycled materials.

The transition to sustainable energy and green building requires a coordinated approach. While some businesses have taken steps, collaboration and support from state institutions are crucial. The CZGBC has engaged with government representatives and presented the roadmap to ensure favourable conditions for implementation.

The Czech Republic’s commitment to the Zero Carbon Roadmap signifies a proactive stance in contributing to Europe’s carbon-neutral aspirations. The comprehensive approach outlined in the roadmap emphasizes the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to achieve meaningful and effective decarbonization in the built environment.

Access to the Roadmap

The entire Zero Carbon Roadmap document is available for download on the [Czech Green Building Council’s website](https://www.czgbc.org/cs/zero-carbon-roadmap).

CZGBC.org