Concrete Perspectives December 2013

Resource Efficiency Scoreboard published

On 6 December 2013, the Statistical Office of the European Union issued the Resource Efficiency Scoreboard with a set of 30 indicators for assessing the use of natural resources in the EU. The indicators are built on a previously organised public consultation (held during autumn 2012); in which the European Concrete Platform represented BIBM’s position.

In the framework of the Resource Efficiency Roadmap, the Commission is expected to issue a circular economy policy package during summer 2014 which may suggest refinements to indicators on materials alongside related policies.

The lead indicator of the Scoreboard was defined as “Resource productivity “(€/kg) which is accompanied by the indicator “Domestic material consumption” which, according to Eurostat “complements” the picture on material resources.

Next to the lead indicator, there is a dashboard of indicators focusing on land, water and carbon issues. Furthermore, a set of specific indicators were also established, focussing on the sub-themes, such as transforming the economy, nature & ecosystems and key areas.

The following indicators could be of particular interest to the concrete sector:

·Productivity of built-up areas

·Built-up areas

·Greenhouse gas emissions per capita

·Energy productivity

·Landscape fragmentation

·Total environmental tax revenues as a share of total revenues from taxes and social contributions

·Energy taxes by paying sectors - Households

·Average carbon dioxide emissions per km from new passenger cars

·Pollutant emissions from transport - NOx

The European Resource Efficiency Platform is expected to publish its final report in March 2014.

Eurostat – Press Release

Eurostat - Scoreboard

VelH2O.net combines the problem of bad bicycle paths with two other challenges. The first is the need for a smart network of energy pipes which should not be removed each time. The second is the infiltration or slow evacuation of storm-water and the risk of flooding. The system is composed entirely of prefabricated concrete elements.

The issue of energy lines and cables is very up-to-date. As a product development, it is innovative and has a great value. The jury was pleased to see innovative proposals that do not come from the precast sector, but use other concrete elements.