The Association of Spanish Manufacturers of Insulating Mineral Wools (AFELMA) presented on October 10, 2024, in Madrid, in collaboration with the consulting firm ARUP, entitled “Evaluation of the impact of mineral wools on the carbon footprint of buildings” . This report highlights the importance of insulation as an essential tool for the decarbonization of the construction sector in Spain, according to the electronic journal Obras Urbanas.
During this event, personalities such as José Javier Izquierdo, spokesperson for the Socialist Parliamentary Group in the Senate, and Francisco Javier Martín Ramiro, Director General of Housing and Land at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda, highlighted the urgency of reducing carbon emissions in the building sector, one of the most polluting in Europe.
The new European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) offers a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to more sustainable and efficient buildings. Insulation is one of the key elements of this transition. AFELMA, which represents the main mineral wool manufacturers in Spain, has been campaigning for years for the use of this material as an effective solution to improve the energy performance of buildings and reduce their environmental impact.
Insulation: Advantages and Challenges
The ARUP report reveals that construction materials are the largest contributors to the carbon footprint of buildings. However, mineral wools (glass and rock), although they only represent 25% of embodied carbon, can reduce emissions linked to the energy consumption of the building during its operation by 65%. This results in a significant improvement in energy efficiency and thermal comfort.
Miguel Ángel Gallardo, president of AFELMA, highlighted that insulation is not only crucial to reduce emissions, but also to improve the quality of life of building occupants. He also mentioned that implementing insulation measures beyond regulatory requirements could have a positive long-term impact in the fight against climate change.
Rehabilitation: A Priority for the Future
The rehabilitation of the building stock in Spain is seen as a major opportunity to significantly reduce emissions from the sector. According to José Javier Izquierdo, the Next Generation Funds and aid from the Official Credit Institute (ICO) provide the financial support necessary to undertake renovation projects integrating sustainability and energy efficiency, according to the same source.
