Concrete Perspectives February 2015
Internal News
BIBM held its annual Director meeting on 23 February in Ulm, Germany. The event was a great occasion for the directors of the National Precast Concrete Associations to exchange issues of national interest.
Construction Sector
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On 12 February, the Architects’ Council of Europe published the fourth edition of its Sector study, which shows that the architect profession is growing. The ACE Sector Study is a survey conducted every two-year. It assembles and analyses statistical, sociological and economic data on the architect profession, market and practices at European level.
Architects’ Council Europe – Press Release
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On 25 February, Fire Safe Europe held an awareness raising event titled “Is Europe playing with fire? The high-level discussion on an EU action plan to address fire safety risks in buildings was hosted by MEP Olga Sehnalová.
Live from the European Union
European Commission Winter European Economic Forecast 2015
On 5 February 2015, the European Commission published The Winter 2015 European Economic Forecast”. The forecast confirms the low economic growth and that high unemployment has yet to be solved. Business confidence should be re-established which expected to trigger further investments, leading to economic growth and lower unemployment rates.
Winter 2015 European Economic Forecast
European Commission – Economic Forecast (website)
European Financial Instruments launched to drive investments
On 16 February 2015, the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) launched two financial instruments to drive investment in energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change. The aim is to encourage more public and private investments by combining EIB loans with financing under the EU LIFE Programme for Environment and Climate Action.
European Investment Bank – Press Release
World Bank issues EUR 30 Million Fixed Rate Green Bond due 2045
On 17 February 2015, the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD announced a EUR 30 million 30-year fixed rate Green Bond. The Green Bonds will encourage investors to invest in environmental-friendly projects through a high grade fixed income investment.
European Funds for Strategic Investments for SMEs
On 17 February 2015, the Board of Governors of the European Investment Bank decided that small and medium business should be able to profit from the first funds of the new European Funds for Strategic Investments. It means that EIB will allow for the pre-financing of SME projects linked to the Investment Plan for Europe before the summer.
The European Fund for Strategic Investment has been recently created by the so-called Juncker Plan.
European Investment Bank – Decision of the Board of Governors
European Commission – Press Release
News in brief
Agenda
MARCH
5 March 2015
“Circular Economy” Conference
Brussels, Belgium
6 March 2015
ECP Board
Brussels, Belgium
10 March 2015
ECP AhG Thermal Mass
Brussels, Belgium
12 March 2015
CEN/TC/229 WG4
Brussels, Belgium
17 March 2015
AhG Concrete Initiative
Brussels, Belgium
24-25 March 2015
BIBM Technical Commission
Brussels, Belgium
30 March 2015
European Masonry Alliance
Brussels, Belgium
APRIL
14 April 2015
SAFECLADDING
Madrid, Spain
16-17 April 2015
CEN/TC 229
Berlin, Germany
20 April 2015
INGRESS meeting
Brussels, Belgium
22 April 2015
SG13 (Notified Bodies) meeting
Barcelona, Spain
23 April 2015
HOLCOFIRE Steering Group
Brussels, Belgium
28 April 2015
BIBM Board meeting
Brussels, Belgium
29 April 2015
Environmental Commission
Brussels, Belgium
MAY
5-6 May 2015
CEN/TC 104/SC 1
Brussels, Belgium
6-7 May 2015
CEN/TC 104
Brussels, Belgium
12 May 2015
ECP TF Sustainable Concrete
(confcall)
18 May 2015
AhG Concrete Initiative
Brussels, Belgium
19 May 2015
BIBM Communication Commission
Brussels, Belgium
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List of Acronyms
ACE – Architects’ Council of Europe
CPE – Construction Product Europe
CPR – Construction Products Regulation
ECP – European Concrete Platform
EIB – European Investment Bank
LIFE Programme – is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action
TF – Task Force
AhG – Ad-hoc Group