Sustainability & Circular Economy in Wooden Construction

1. Environmental Challenges and General Framework of Sustainability

Dipl.ing., Mg.oec. Janis Zvirgzdins, Riga Technical University

Lecture stresses the importance of climate change mitigation and the role of the environmental dimension for the long term existence of humanity. It illustrates exponential growth of population, production and consumption. Lecture considers the planetary boundaries and limits to growth. It shows what will happen according to ‘business as usual’ scenario if no action is taken. Term ‘sustainability’ and Sustainable Development concept are being introduced, tackling the dimensions of Sustainable Development as well as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

2. Circular Economy – General Framework and Principles

Dipl.ing., Mg.oec. Janis Zvirgzdins, Riga Technical University

Global society is using the resources today that are meant for satisfying the needs of tomorrow, consuming resources like we would have 1.75 planets Earth. Circular economy is a concept that can offer potential solutions for such emerging global challenges as climate change, depletion of natural resources and loss of biodiversity. Current part stresses the importance of transition from linear economy to circular economy. It helps to understand what are the elements hiding behind the words “circular economy”, revealing general framework and principles of circular economy.

3. Sustainable Wooden Construction

Dr. Laura Tupenaite and Dr. Loreta Kanapeckiene, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University 

Buildings account for around 40% of overall energy consumption and approximately 36% of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use in the EU. One of the options to mitigate negative environmental impacts in the built environment is to build with sustainable materials, like wood. Let's try to answer the question why building with timber is sustainable? 

4. Circular Economy in Wooden Construction

Dr. Laura Tupenaite, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

Wood is the renewable construction material which can significantly contribute to a more circular construction sector. You will get understanding of circular economy principles in a wooden building life cycle: starting from growth, extraction and production of materials, continuing with design, construction, building maintenance, and ending with its reuse, disassembly and recycling.

5. Social Leadership

Anu Nordlund-Knuutila and Jari Komsi, LAUREA University of Applied Sciences