GreeNest joins IWG5 meeting
The GreeNest project participated in the latest IWG5 meeting on 7 October, where experts from across Europe gathered to discuss innovation strategies to accelerate the transition to Zero Emission Buildings (ZEBs). Representing the project, Maria Founti, project coordinator, delivered an in-depth presentation introducing the project’s mission, early findings, and demonstration activities.
The session, chaired by Annett Kühn (IWG5 Board), included updates on the SET Plan task forces and ongoing activities within IWG5. Presentations covered the results of the IWG5-CSA project, the development of a European framework for whole-life carbon measurement, and the introduction of the GreeNest project by Maria Founti from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA).
In her presentation, Founti began with an overview of definitions of Zero Emission Buildings (ZEBs) under the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD 2024). She explained the distinction between operational and embodied emissions, emphasising that achieving true zero emissions requires tackling both through material innovation, efficient design, and renewable energy integration. The talk highlighted the potential of low embodied energy and biogenic materials to significantly reduce carbon footprints while supporting circularity and local value chains.
The presentation also addressed key obstacles to broader adoption, including regulatory restrictions and certification deficiencies. She outlined GreeNest’s approach and demonstrations, where the project’s technologies and digital tools are being validated in real-world conditions. Prof. Founti shared preliminary results from material innovations, including waste-wood reuse, KARZ composites, and SmartWall/GreenWall systems, as well as the ASSESS digital platform for performance monitoring.
About IWG5
The International Working Group on Buildings (IWG5) operates under the European Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan. Its mission is to coordinate and accelerate the development of energy-efficient, low-emission building technologies, fostering collaboration among research, industry, and policy actors to support Europe’s path toward a climate-neutral building stock.