ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN CONSTRUCTION
28.09.2012
Last week many meetings and gatherings on the projects of energy efficiency in global climate changes were organized and promoted in Nis. That was the occasion for the conversation with Boban Dzunic, president of Palilula Municipality about the activities on the project Development and improvement of competitiveness of SME in the field of increasing energy efficiency in construction` that is realized with this organization of local self-government of the City of Nis successfully implements. This is a part of the interview with president Dzunic recorded by media ecologic net EKOpolis.

Global warming and climate change are now a global problem and a major threat to the life and development of the global population. Environment is changing, and all of us are looking for emergency response and intensive cooperation both at local and international levels. Therefore it is important to answer the question "what can local community make, and what each individual in order to conserve natural resources" and meet the priorities identified by the EU by 2020 to reduce in CO2 emissions by 20 percent.

The fact is that the concept of the urban environment constantly and rapidly is changing and that the growth of cities and the growing need for using new technology to improve the quality of life of every citizen increases. By rising living standards, grow also consumptions as thermal energy for heating, and cooling. Due to the high energy consumption in buildings, and also the largest potential energy and environmental savings, energy efficiency and sustainable building are becoming priorities of modern architecture and energy. This area is identified as an area that has the greatest potential to reduce overall energy consumption. The construction sector is one of the most dynamic in Nis, especially in Palilula. It employs the largest number of people. There are about three million different buildings with an average consumption of 150 to 200 kilowatt - hours per square meter per year, while in the EU the consumption of between 50 and 70 kilowatt-hours.

That is why it is of extreme importance to realize the saving and improve energy efficiency in construction. The examples of good practice, business contacts like the visit of our entrepreneurs to International fair and conference Green Building 2012 Italy make our project that was approved in 2012 to Nis Palilula as part of developmental projects LEDIB programmes sustainable.

Positive influence to climate changes cannot be begun without behavior changes of us individuals without leaving old habits and taking up new. The change of value system, way of thinking and attitudes of the citizens is only good way to prevent further negative conditions to climate. This Manual, EU directives and glossary are dedicated to all citizens, participants in projects, construction, reconstruction and maintaining of buildings, as well as information and reminder to the significance to the importance of managing energy in buildings and possible energy, economic and ecological savings with the usage of measures of energy efficiency. Elaborated information are the results of cooperation of multidiscipline group of teams of partner organizations on our projects (Construction cluster `Opeka Brick`, City of Nis – Administration for planning and construction and EKOPOLIS – Media Ecologic net of Serbia). Palilula Municipality found out many other activities that have for its objective introduction with the examples of best practice in projecting energy efficient buildings in the world and better information about significance on advantages of energy savings.

Investments in energy efficient buildings is very much profitable because very fast one can financially feel energy saving and less bills. Established categories and energy efficiency of object and presence of energy passport as well as legitimating that is witnessing about their energy efficiency of the object taken into account, and presence of energy passport as ID document that testifies about their energy efficiency, will start to be in use in our surrounding from September 30 2012. We will expect that this activity will contribute the change of thinking and opinions and work in the sector of construction will motivate our citizens to save more. In European developed countries this is a practice. We are at the beginning (Boban Dzunic, president of Palilula Municipality).