KliNa Day 2025: Just Do It Green
Construction industry discusses pace, responsibility, and innovation
Vienna, 05 September 2025_ How can the construction industry contribute to meeting the climate targets set at national and EU level? This question was at the center of the fourth KliNa Day, hosted by FCP.VCE on 3 September 2025 at TUtheSky, TU Wien. Around 150 experts from construction, civil engineering, architecture, environment, and academia discussed strategies, opportunities, and challenges on the path toward a climate-neutral future.
Facts and figures: Austria’s climate targets in an international context
“In order for Austria to become climate-neutral by 2040, emissions must be reduced by 8% annually. This is feasible with investments of € 6.4 to € 11.2 billion per year – equivalent to 1.3 to 2.4% of GDP,” explained Univ.-Prof. Sigrid Stagl (WU Vienna) in her keynote, in which she highlighted the interrelation of economic and ecological opportunities and risks based on scientific findings. The facts are sobering: 6 of the 9 planetary boundaries have already been exceeded, with serious consequences for all areas of life. And anyone who believes that climate protection and sustainability are too expensive is mistaken – in the long run, sustainability pays off.
But where will the necessary funding come from? Austria’s ‘Scientist of the Year 2024’ also offered solutions: “Climate protection will only succeed if we not only make new things greener, but also stop doing the wrong things,” she pointed out, referring to potential savings through the elimination of climate-damaging subsidies amounting to around €5 billion. Additional revenue could also be generated through a financial transaction or stock exchange turnover tax (€1–4.5 billion), a wealth tax (€4 billion), or an inheritance tax (€1 billion).
„ In order for Austria to become climate-neutral by 2040, emissions must be reduced by 8% annually. “
Univ.-Prof. Sigrid Stagl . WU Vienna
Where does Austria fall short? Stagl cited Denmark as a role model, where a whole-of-government approach embeds climate protection across all ministries. Austria has long been a laggard, she said, but with the 2040 target now has an adequate level of ambition that must be followed through.
Innovations in construction: from recycling to digitalization
Compelling best-practice examples demonstrated what climate protection can look like in construction and industry:
Resource recovery: Johannes Czeczil (BALSA) reported on the remediation of an aluminum slag landfill in Lower Austria. “Primary aluminum production is extremely energy-intensive, whereas recovery consumes only about one-tenth of the energy. For every tonne of granulate, we save 11 tonnes of CO₂. By the end of the project, the savings will amount to around 0.4% of Austria’s total CO₂ emissions.”
Refurbishment before new construction: Experts warned against applying renovation schemes indiscriminately. “A 30-year-old building may be structurally so sound that interventions make little ecological or economic sense. We need individual assessments – otherwise, renovation misses the point,” was one conclusion from practice.
Forward-looking planning: “We are responsible for ensuring that buildings still function in 50, 100, or even 200 years. Not including greywater reuse in today’s planning, even though we know it will be essential in 20 years, is a missed opportunity,” emphasized Caroline Palfy (Orbyz).
Digitalization as a key enabler: “For me, digitalization is the foundation of sustainability. In a circular economy, a well-maintained BIM model provides the basis for generations,” said Palfy. At the same time, public health officer Michael Jungwirth cautioned against the careless use of AI: “The reports we receive as medical officers and expert witnesses have not necessarily improved in quality through the use of AI in recent years.”
Shared responsibility in the construction sector
In the concluding panel discussion of the certified ÖkoEvent PLUS, all participants agreed: transformation can only succeed if ecological, social, and economic aspects are considered together.
“We must have the courage to consistently apply existing solutions – while also boldly pursuing new paths,” was the joint conclusion.
PHOTO NOTICE::
The photos may be reprinted free of charge for press purposes, provided the image rights (©FCP) are acknowledged.
Image 01: KliNa Day 2025 hosted by FCP.VCE
Image 02: KliNa Day 2025, keynote speaker Sigrid Stagl
Image 03: From left to right: Caroline Palfy, Riccardo Savigliano, Michael Jungwirth, Jürgen Stern, Johannes Czeczil, Sigrid Stagl
Media contact::
Mag. Cornelia Riegler
FCP Fritsch, Chiari & Partner ZT GmbH
Press
+43 1 90 292 . 1286
criegler@fcp.at
About the KliNa initiative:
The Climate Protection and Sustainability Initiative in Construction (KliNa) was launched in 2020 by the civil engineering firms FCP and VCE. Its goal is to transform the construction sector toward climate neutrality and sustainability. With KliNa Day, the initiative provides a platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices and fosters dialogue between science, business, and politics.
