Concrete perspectives October 2012
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production rose by 0.7% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.2% in the EU27 in August 2012, compared with the previous month, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The largest decreases were registered in Portugal (-17.3%), while the largest increase in Romania (+5.1%).
European Commission – Press Release
LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
European Commission adopts its Work Programme for 2013
The European Commission adopted its Work Programme for 2013 on 23 October 2013. According to this work programme, a new climate and energy package for the period up to 2030 will be one of the European Commission’s main environmental initiatives for next year.
In addition to new legislative measures on energy efficiency, the Commission intends to issue a comprehensive climate adaptation strategy. Furthermore, the revision of the EU waste and air quality legislation is foreseen as well.
European Commission Work Programme 2013
Corporate Social Responsibility must become an integral part of corporate and business strategy
The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union held a conference on 19 October 2012 on Corporate Social Responsibility in which officials from the European Parliament, the Commission, Member States and the wider business community shared their views and best practices with representatives of the business community The Conference aimed at promoting transparency by companies with respect to their impact on society as a whole. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is recent expression in business life, however the European Union puts emphasis on the importance of CSR must become an integral part of corporate and business strategy, according to the European Union.
The conference also meant to attract the attention on the fact that important challenges remain in front of European businesses. Many companies in the EU have not yet fully integrated social and environmental concerns into their operations and core strategy.
The European Commission has previously called on European business leaders to issue an open and accountable commitment to promote, in the uptake of responsible business conduct by a much larger number of EU enterprises, with clear targets for 2015 and 2020.
Cyprus Presidency – Press Release
EU launches new Industrial Policy
On 10 October 2012, the European Commission adopted a “A Stronger European Industry for Growth and Economic Recovery”. The new industrial policy aims to recover industrial investments and to reverse the share of manufacturing’s share in EU GDP. The Communication launches a new partnership between the EU, Member States and industry and focuses on four pillars:
·Investments in innovation
·Better market conditions,
·Access to finance and capitals
·Human capital and skills
The new industrial policy expects that Europe’s re-industrialisation will be achieved through major investment in six areas: clean production technologies, the so-called key enabling technologies, bio-based products, sustainable construction, green vehicles and smart grids.
These areas were selected due to their growth potential and consistency with other EU goals on climate, energy and resource efficiency.
European commission – Press Release
European Commission – Industrial Policy Communication 2012
Energy Efficiency Directive adopted
On 4 October 2012, the Energy Ministers of the Member States adopted the Energy Efficiency Directive. The vote came after “though talks” in the Energy council in last June.
The directive calls Member states to implement a set of binding, flexible measures and to set a national energy efficiency target. Amongst other measures, Member States has to renovate 3% of the total floor area of heated and/or cooled buildings owned by their central government
The next step for Member States is to present their national indicative targets by April 2013.
The directive will enter into force in November 2012, 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The implementation period is 18 months.
The measures set by the directive should result in a 17 % improvement in energy efficiency by 2020 compared to the 20 % target originally set in the EU2020 strategy.
Council of the European Union –Press Release
NEWS IN BRIEF
According to the figures released by Eurostat, the business investment rate was nearly stable at 20.3% in the euro area and up to 20.1% in the EU27.
European Commission – Press Release
Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 2.5% in October 2012, down from 2.6% in September, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
European Commission – Press Release
The Magazine of Concrete Research calls for papers covering themes on off-site construction with precast concrete. By publishing in the above mentioned magazine, new audience will open up in front of you.
The Euro area annual inflation was 2.6% in September 2012, unchanged compared with August 2012. A year earlier the rate was 3.0%. Monthly inflation was 0.7% in September 2012. In September 2012, the lowest annual rates were observed in Greece (0.3%) and the highest in Hungary (6.4%).
European Commission – Press Release
According to the figures released by Eurostat, Statistical Office of the European Union, the euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 11.4% in August 2012, stable compared with July. The EU27 unemployment rate was 10.5% in August 2012, also stable compared with July. Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria (4.5%) and the highest in Spain (25.1%).
European Commission – Press Release
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
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IPMMC Building (Utrecht, Netherlands)
The IPMMC Building won the Dutch concrete Prize 2011 in “Utility construction” category.
You can find here the building process of the IPMMC building.
AGENDA
NOVEMBER
6 November 2012
Technical Commission
Brussels, Belgium
21 November 2012
CEPMC – Use of websites to provide DoP
Brussels, Belgium
23 November 2012
General Assembly BIBM
Stockholm, Sweden
27-28 November 2012
“Structural Fire Design of Buildings according to the Eurocodes“
Brussels, Belgium
30 November 2012
European Construction Forum
Brussels, Belgium
DECEMBER
17 December 2012
BIBM Congress organising Committee
Köln, Germany
JANUARY
18 January 2013
ECP – Health, Environment & Hygiene
Brussels, Belgium
30 January 2013
BIBM Environment Commission
Brussels, Belgium
31 January 2013
ECP Board
Brussels, Belgium