Sustainability, Energy and Architecture

Chapter 11

Sustainable Buildings in Mediterranean Area

Marco Sala and Alessandra Carta,    Università degli studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italy

Abstract

The building sector plays an important role in energy consumption. In order to tap this potential for energy savings and reduction of CO₂ emissions the energy efficiency of buildings must be improved as soon as possible. An important step in this direction has been taken with the European 'Energy Performance of Buildings Directive' (EPBD), which has to be turned into national law by the member states. Unfortunately energy efficient buildings in Mediterranean areas are usually facing problems resulting from the use of Northern Europe examples, which do not face summer climate problems.

With a selection ...