The European Union will establish the New European Bauhaus Academy for Sustainable Construction. This was announced by President von der Leyen at the New European Bauhaus goes Into the Woods meeting. The Finnish government, in cooperation with the European Commission and the governments of Estonia and Sweden, organised Into the Woods to focus on how forests can be key to creating a sustainable construction industry.
Europe is committed to creating buildings and cities that absorb carbon rather than emit it. President von der Leyen said that today building with wood can save up to 40% of carbon emissions compared to concrete. To help in the transition to the European Green Deal, the Academy is being established. The activity will focus on research, innovation, and the necessary professional skills.
As a first step, the Academy plans to launch online courses in sustainable forestry, design, and timber construction. According to a report by the IFO Institute, almost 35% of EU construction firms report a shortage of skilled workers. The Academy plans to retrain and upskill at least three million construction workers over the next five years. To increase attention to this issue, the European Commission proposes to make 2023 the European Year of Skills.
The Horizon Europe research programme will divide EUR 10 million for development to bring new products to the market.
Also, the President von der Leyen noted that efforts to implement the European Green Deal will be aimed at finding the right balance between increasing wood supply and forests healthy.