German environmental group lists most absurd building demolitions

The German environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has once again published a list of "absurd building demolitions." According to the organization, approximately 14,090 buildings were demolished in Germany in 2021, averaging around 40 buildings per day. DUH strongly criticizes this trend, arguing that in most cases, renovating and repurposing existing buildings would be a more sustainable and climate-friendly solution than demolition and new construction.

The DUH's negative list features examples of various building types, including residential homes, administrative buildings, educational facilities, and supermarkets. The organization emphasizes that demolishing buildings wastes valuable resources and exacerbates climate change. Their calculations suggest that simply renovating residential buildings, instead of demolishing and rebuilding, could save at least 1.1 million tons of CO2 emissions annually compared to new construction. This is equivalent to planting a forest area as large as Germany's largest contiguous forest, the Pfälzer Wald.

In 2020, construction and demolition waste accounted for over half (55.4%) of Germany's total waste volume. DUH stresses that utilizing the existing building stock—through renovation, conversion, and extension—is almost always a better solution than demolition and new builds. This approach not only conserves materials and energy but also contributes to the creation of affordable housing.

Studies indicate a potential to create 2.3 to 2.7 million new housing units across Germany by converting and extending existing structures, such as office and commercial buildings. DUH urges policymakers and developers to carefully consider every demolition decision and to prioritize sustainable construction practices. The organization continues to gather reports from citizens on building demolitions to promote the preservation of the existing building stock and more climate-conscious construction.