Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
It has secured a loan worth EUR 80 million from the European Investment Bank
On 24 November, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced that it will lend EUR 80 million to the Finnish real estate developer SATO Oyj. With this loan, the developer will refurbish 25 residential properties to higher energy efficiency standards.
More specifically, it will renovate buildings in Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, and other metropolitan areas to reduce their overall energy consumption by more than 30%. In this way, the company will lower CO2 emissions and contribute to the EU climate impact mitigation objectives.
According to the Vice-President of EIB Thomas Östros, constructing new properties emits more CO2 than renovating them. For this reason, renovation is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option. Discussing the loan and its benefits, Östros shared:
“Investing in energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective and rational ways to curb carbon emissions and we are glad we can support SATO in this. This project is not only a step forward in sustainable urban development in Finland, but should also lead to a reduction in energy consumption for residents, thus lowering energy bills.”
Explaining how SATO plans to improve the energy efficiency of the properties, President and CEO Antti Aarnio shared that it will switch the property heat source from district heat to geothermal and introduce heat recovery ventilation and LED lighting. Beyond this, SATO will adjust and balance the heat distribution system, replace and repair windows, and add roof/wall insulation.
With these actions, SATO expects the renovations to generate primary energy savings of 7,235 MWh/year. This, according to the EIB, is the equivalent of approximately 1,109 tonnes of CO2 savings per year.
Since buildings are responsible for 40% of the EU’s energy consumption, the renovation of properties is reportedly one of the key ways to reduce CO2 emissions.
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU, national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality.
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital