Despite a relatively undeveloped green building sector, with only a handful of buildings meeting international green building standards, eco-friendly materials and techniques are gaining popularity in Russia.

 

The Russian market shares of innovative, energy efficient construction materials, products and associated services related to construction has increased to 20%. This news was revealed by Andrei Belyuchenko, Head of the Department of Urban Construction Activity and Architecture of the Construction Ministry, at the All-Russia Forum held in Moscow from 3-5 June 2016. 

 

The 2016 Forum was titled “Energy Efficient Russia” and focussed on the promotion and education of energy efficiency across Russia. 

 

According to Mr Belyuchenko, the increased market share of energy-efficient construction materials and associated products forms a vital part in achieving the goals laid out in the “Strategy for Russian Construction Industry Innovation Development by 2030”. This is part of a drive to ensure that energy efficiency materials are used across the Russian construction market in greater volumes in coming years.

 

Imports of green building materials are expected to increase as eco-friendly practices are adopted across Russia. The Russian Green Building Council is spearheading a number of initiatives and projects designed and promoting environmentally aware construction across the country. These include major projects such as the development of a new sustainable headquarters of the Imeretinsky Bird Sanctuary at the Olympic Park in Sochi.

 

Some major construction industry figures are already firmly behind the use of energy efficient materials. Developer Andrey Tyasto has stated that his firm uses 15% of its project budget on imported construction materials – and green products form a large chunk of this. 

 

“We feel that the market is in need of green projects and we’d like to know more about green building in general, in order to provide correct estimates to our clients,” Moscow architect Denis Kuvshinnikov told the Russian Green Building Council. “We think that this green building trend is very positive and we want to play a part in this process.” 

 

Mr Kuvshinnikov’s comments go to show an enthusiasm green building products is increasing across Russia’s construction industry-wide enthusiasm. Individuals at every level of Russia’s building market are showing a love for green, providing exporters with greater market opportunities as more of Russia’s key players gets in touch with their eco-friendly sides.

 

Apart from a greater emphasis on eco-friendly materials and products, Andrei Belyuchenko also noted that achieving a GDP-contribution of 8% is one of the building industry’s major goals by 2030. At present, construction accounts for around 4% of Russia’s GDP. 

 

Will green building materials play a big part in achieving this goal? It is hard to say with the current fluctuating state. However, with more grass-roots support and institutionalised backing, it is likely that green building is not going anywhere in Russia for the foreseeable future.

 

Image: Lujkin8 via Wikimedia Commons