© Holzbau Symposium, Rolf Walter
As the construction sector accounts for roughly 40% of global CO₂ emissions, the renovation of existing buildings with sustainable, bio-based materials has never been more urgent. Bauhaus Earth is actively contributing to this challenge through its work within the RenoVisor project. From developing comprehensive material databases to engaging with leading voices in sustainable construction, Bauhaus Earth is helping lay the scientific groundwork for a greener built environment.
Within RenoVisor, Bauhaus Earth is responsible for key components of the sustainability analysis, focusing on bio-based materials for renovation and their potential to mitigate climate change in the built environment. The work highlights the many advantages these materials offer over conventional alternatives: a reduced carbon footprint, waste reduction, renewability from sustainably managed natural sources, improved indoor health through humidity regulation, enhanced thermal comfort, and better overall building performance — including breathability, which prevents condensation and long-term structural damage.
A central output of this ongoing work is a structured database that Bauhaus Earth's team has been building through in-depth research on bio-based materials specifically suited for renovation contexts in order to inform the model development within the project. The database brings together information on physical properties, environmental impact data such as CO₂ emissions, health and indoor environment indicators like effects on air quality, and practical installation guidance. This resource is designed to support architects, planners, and decision-makers in making informed, evidence-based choices when renovating buildings with bio-based solutions.
This research effort connects directly to the broader conversation happening across the sustainable construction sector. On 29 April 2026, Bauhaus Earth co-organised the 2nd International Holzbau Symposium & Summit on Sustainable Building and Housing in Berlin, bringing together leading scientists, politicians, and industry representatives discussing about "Building with Wood: The Economic Factor for Climate Protection." Prof. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Founder of Bauhaus Earth, argued at the event that reducing emissions alone is no longer sufficient, calling instead for withdrawing CO₂ from the atmosphere through sustainable forestry and storing carbon long-term within buildings. The event also underlined the scale of the challenge, with the building sector responsible for 40% of global CO₂ emissions and 90% of mineral resource consumption — figures that make the case for bio-based construction more pressing than ever, and that directly inform the sustainability work Bauhaus Earth is contributing to RenoVisor.
Bauhaus Earth's contributions to RenoVisor reflect a commitment to building the scientific and practical foundation that Europe's renovation wave urgently needs. By combining rigorous material research with active engagement in high-level policy and science forums, we are helping ensure that bio-based materials take their rightful place at the centre of sustainable renovation.