Jarek Kurnitski: “The impacts of climate change must be taken into account in the built environment”
Professor Jarek Kurnitski specialises in zero-emissions construction and the energy consumption of buildings. According to Kurnitski, improving the energy efficiency of buildings is important as buildings consume huge amounts of energy.
Professor Jarek Kurnitski of Aalto University specialises in the energy efficiency and indoor climate of buildings. He was also involved in the preparation of Finland’s current regulations on total energy inspections, which came into force in 2012.
“It was a major change. It marked the end of dictating how to build and for the first time the energy efficiency of buildings was regulated in such a way that it was now only required to meet one key indicator for total energy consumption.”
According to Kurnitski, the built environment plays a major role in reducing emissions. The effects of climate change should also be taken into account in construction.
“Climate change affects weather patterns. At Finland’s latitude, we will lose snow cover in the winter, while conditions will be quite good in the summer. For example, we will not see shortages of drinking water, but we do need to focus on the sustainability, energy efficiency and indoor air of the built environment.”
In Kurnitski’s view, what we need to think about now is how to cope when, for example, temperatures are slightly higher in summer.
“Until now, many buildings, such as apartments and schools, have managed without active cooling during the summer. As the climate warms by a couple of degrees, we will find ourselves requiring it more and more in buildings.”
Kurnitski believes that climate change discourse as a whole has gained momentum and stepped up a gear. As an example, he cites Finland’s ambitious target of carbon neutrality by 2035.
“Discourse has moved to assessing the means by which the targets can be achieved. Now is the time for action, because time is very limited.”
Research knowledge helps reduce emissions from buildings
When trying to reduce emissions from buildings, one of the biggest challenges is finding effective, economic methods that are based on scientific evidence. According to Kurnitski, the Finnish Climate Change Panel has a major role to play in facilitating the collection of this kind of research data.
“The Panel also has its own projects underway, focusing on providing broader guidance on how research is produced. The Finnish Climate Change Panel has a good vantage point from which to see the bigger picture. The approaches used in buildings must be compatible with the energy system in order to achieve the full emission reductions.”
The measures to be taken regarding Finland’s building stock are based on EU directives. European Union Member States have recently completed work on a long-term renovation strategy for 2050, with the aim of renovating the entire existing building stock to bring it to near-zero energy levels. However, the means to achieve an energy revolution are still a work in progress.
“The renovation of the building stock offers potential for major energy savings and emission reductions. At the same time, it could also improve the indoor air quality of buildings, and living and working conditions in general. However, energy savings should not come at the expense of the indoor climate, as it is important that we avoid mould problems like those caused by the energy crisis of the 1970s. When done right, the renovation of homes and workplaces is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change.”
To balance his time focused on research activities, Kurnitski enjoys sea kayak sailing.
“A 20–30 km sea kayak trip at the weekend never fails to brighten my mood!”