THERMAL MODERNIZATION OF BUILDINGS IN UKRAINE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DECARBONIZATION: GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND UKRAINIAN PROSPECTS

Abstract

Thermal modernization is one of the ways to increase building energy efficiency and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The urgency of the thermal modernization problem in Ukraine is caused by the large number of old buildings across various categories, which consume almost one-third of the country's final energy.

Fossil fuels are predominantly used for the energy supply of buildings, the combustion of which leads to the deterioration of ambient air quality, significant greenhouse gas emissions, primarily CO₂, which intensifies the greenhouse effect, increases environmental temperature, and causes climatic changes manifested as global warming on a planetary scale.

Large-scale thermal modernization of buildings can become one of the effective tools for both reducing Ukraine's energy dependence on fossil fuels and successfully implementing decarbonization processes in the construction sector. Given the ongoing war, the process of thermal modernization of buildings is insufficient in scope and primarily focuses on prioritizing tasks that will be implemented in the post-war period. These tasks will involve the modernization of existing buildings to achieve the "nearly Zero-Emission Building" (nZEB) standard. Such measures are crucial for fulfilling the commitments undertaken by Ukraine as an Associated Member of the European Union regarding decarbonization for climate change regulation in the context of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The issue of introducing new energy-efficient wooden structures in low-rise construction is important, as modern thermal modernization requires fast, precise, and environmentally friendly building solutions. The negative Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the proposed wall element indicates that it can be considered a structure approaching nearly zero energy consumption.