Representatives from EU institutions, the construction industry, NGOs and civil society met in Brussels this week to discuss sustainable construction and the challenges facing the industry. The principle topics considered were the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental and economic.

The meeting took place as part of the Concrete Initiative, which will be officially launched on 27 May 2014. It hopes to bring together stakeholders and engage EU authorities on how to stimulate construction through policy measures and standards that generate growth and innovation in a more sustainable way.

The Concrete Initiative comprises the European Cement Association (Cembureau), the European Federation of Precast Concrete (BIBM) and the European Ready-Mixed Concrete Organisation (ERMCO).