Introduction: GreeNest Project

In this lesson, Prof. Maria Founti, coordinator of the GreeNest project and professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at NTUA, introduces the GreeNest project. Placing the project within the wider European shift toward sustainable construction, focusing on the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and its ambitious goals for zero-emission buildings.

The lesson highlights the critical role of nature-based materials and circular construction concepts in reducing embodied carbon and advancing climate goals. It emphasises the urgent need to renovate existing buildings to meet Nearly Zero-Emission Building (NZEB) and Zero-Emission Building (ZEB) standards, clearly defining their importance within the EU’s climate strategy. Professor Founti explains how the GreeNest project supports this transformation through the development of new material systems, regenerative building strategies, and pilot demonstrators across Europe, aiming to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission buildings.