Oct 12, 2023

With the building sector at the heart of environmental issues, Eurovent Certita Certification (ECC) was proud to be the gold sponsor of the 38th National Congress of the Association of Climatic, Ventilation and Cooling Engineers (AICVF), from 7th-9th September 2023. Held in Nice, France, at the Palais De La Méditerranée, the theme of this year’s conference was ‘Reinventing buildings to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.’

With the sector poised on how to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the event brought together over 300 participants, 35 exhibitors and 10 speakers over three distinct sessions, moderated by Philippe NUNES of XPair. The presentations and panel discussions were both lively and rich in knowledge, as the speakers explored how to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. 

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After opening with a welcome party on the 7th September, the technical programme kicked off at 9am on the 8th September, with welcome remarks and an opening speech. The question on everyone’s lips was how do we reinvent the building? Split into three sessions, the conference explored the topic in full, firstly covering: 

• What does the objective of carbon neutrality mean for buildings?
• How to articulate new constructions and renovations?
• What minimum performance levels should be targeted in these renovations? 
• How much should go to the building, what part to heating, ventilation or hot water production?

Moving onto the second part, the speakers explored the topic of energy choices. Asking:

• How can we gradually abandon fossil fuels in our facilities? 
• What to replace them with?

Finally, the third part was devoted to the presentation of feedback, both in housing and in the tertiary sector. 

The congressed closed with a presentation of achievements, followed by a speech by AICVF President Frank Hovorka. With the technical programme concluded, guests gathered for a cocktail reception and gala evening. For those who wished, sight-seeing was available on the following day.

For the delegates, the congress offered insight and debate into the most burning issue for the construction industry; how do we reinvent buildings to achieve carbon neutrality. In all sessions it was clear that engineers sit central to overcoming the issues we face. This is why tools such as certification can be vital to help engineers make low carbon, energy efficient choices, and why ECC was keen to be the principal sponsor of the event, to help spread the word on sustainability.

Find out more on the 38th National Congress: Reinventing buildings to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.