Arup designs e learning programme for European Commission’s new sustainable buildings framework Level(s)

Collectively, buildings in the EU are responsible for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, stemming from construction, usage, renovation and demolition.  

By adopting a whole lifecycle approach, the framework addresses the huge potential for carbon emission reductions and resource re-use in buildings, nudging the market towards a clean and circular economy.  

The Level(s) learning programme is designed for all the stakeholders working across a building’s lifecycle in Europe, featuring practical case studies to provide ‘real life’ context for sustainability professionals; asset designers, owners and investors, as well as policymakers and public authorities. 

“Arup is proud to support the European Commission with the Level(s) e-learning course: it will enable a range of players across the real estate value chain to learn more about the principles behind the designing and running of sustainable buildings, a step change on our collective journey towards net zero”, according to Susana Saiz, who leads Arup’s Sustainability and Energy Consulting team in Spain.

To design the course, Arup brought its in-house Arup University learning specialists and sustainability professionals together with e-learning subconsultants Leo Learning. Arup’s design and policy expertise was fundamental to help translate the complex concepts behind the Level(s) framework for a range of audiences, while casting it amongst larger EU initiatives like the Green Deal or the Taxonomy.  

To encourage uptake, the Level(s) e-course also maps out a selection of learning journeys designed around themes such as circularity, sustainable finance, resilience, global warming and occupant welfare.  

“Buildings play a vital role in the transition to a sustainable future. Embedding circular economy and sustainability principles at the heart of the design, operation and maintenance of a building is a fundamental step towards improving our sector’s carbon footprint in Europe,” Susana Saiz said. Arup has committed to undertaking whole lifecycle carbon assessments for all its buildings projects from April 2022. 

To ensure a successful learning experience, the Level(s) eLearning programme was tested incorporating feedback from a range of geographically diverse range of professionals across the continent before going live, including built environment and sustainability professionals, policy makers and investors. The course design also includes different visual and learning resources, providing a wealth of examples, glossaries, case studies, quizzes and further resources 

To find out more, please visit Let’s Meet Level(s), which features a range of accessible introductory material.