In a new building, structure and structural works (concrete, steel, foundations) account for 50 to 70% of the carbon footprint. Next come envelope and insulation (15 to 25%), heating, ventilation, air conditioning and hot water systems (10 to 20%), and material transport to the site, known as module A4 (2 to 5% in mainland France, 10 to 15% overseas). In a high-performance building, materials therefore often emit more than 50 years of heating. Priority measures consequently concern the construction system and envelope, decided from concept design.
Read the source article: RE2020 since May 2026: which buildings are covered?