It has been revealed that an international delegation has met with officials from the Irish Government and other industry bodies in order to discuss plans to introduce a more sustainable building global standard. The delegation was led by Scott Foster, who is the Director for Sustainable Energy from the UN Economic Commission for Europe, or UNECE. The Irish officials involved at the meeting included Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Joining Scott Foster as part of the international delegation was Dr. David Riley, Dr. Somayeh Asadi and Lisa Shulock from Penn State University and Robert Cavey who is a Partner of Praxis which is Washington D.C.
The delegation has carried out a two-day visit to Ireland and the fist appointment for the group was to meet with Taoiseach Enda Kenny. During this meeting the different details of the Global High Performance Buildings Framework were looked at. This Building Frameworks is in the process of being provided by the UNECE and it is thought that it will be published at some point in the next few months. At these discussions were a number of vital Irish stakeholders including the representatives from Quinn Building Products, SOLAS, nZEBRA, and Wexford County Council. Throughout the meeting the Taoiseach was informed about other development plans that are being created in Wexford. This Wexford site will see the delivery of an international centre for excellence and a training facility.
After the meeting with the Irish Government representatives, the International delegation then went to a dinner and networking function that was hosted by Quinn Building Products. At this event the guests could then discuss other plans for the Framework and for the international training centre. It is advantageous for Ireland to support the development of the sustainable building standards as tit will keep the country at the forefront of high performance buildings.
The delegation will also be attending the site of Ireland’s first passive house and the social housing project that has been completed by Michael Bennett & Sons as well as the proposed Wexford location of the international training centre.
