Apr 17, 2026
Statement by the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU) on Circular construction: Preserving existing buildings, closing cycles
From left to right: Prof. Claudia Kemfert (SRU), Federal Minister of Construction Verena Hubertz, Federal Minister of the Environment Carsten Schneider, Prof. Christina Dornack (SRU), Prof. Claudia Hornberg (SRU) [Photo: Umweltbundesamt / Czybik & Schmid Media / Laurin Schmid]
Prof. Christina Dornack, together with Prof. Claudia Kemfert and Prof. Claudia Hornberg, presented the new statement by the German Advisory Council on the Environment: "Circular building: Preserving existing buildings, closing loops" to Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and Federal Building Minister Verena Hubertz.
The recommendations are aimed at circular construction and the preservation of existing buildings. The aim is to modernize construction practice, make the use of secondary building products more attractive and stimulate new business models. This also serves to protect the climate, environment and health.
The SRU's recommendations for action can be found in the following five key messages.
- Digitize - create standards
- Qualify - impart knowledge
- Promote - set incentives
- Closing cycles - legal control
- Living the model - public sector as a driving force
Professor Claudia Kemfert and Professor Christina Dornack (both from the SRU) during the panel discussion on the topic
The statement is available at: https://www.umweltrat.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/04_Stellungnahmen/2024_2028/2026_04_Zirkulaer_bauen_Download.html