Regulatory sandboxes in the field of sustainable construction and refurbishment

The building sector is an important sector for achieving Austria's climate goals. Depending on the depth of consideration, the building sector accounts for between 10% (direct contribution) and 40% (direct and indirect contribution) of energy related GHG emissions. This makes the building sector a key factor in achieving climate neutrality in 2040 (Austria) or 2050 (EU).

On the one hand, the first regulatory steps towards sustainable cycles have already been taken with the EU Taxonomy Regulation and CO2 taxation, but on the other hand, numerous rigid regulatory frameworks still hinder innovation in the building sector. In other sectors (e.g. mobility and energy), regulatory sandboxes are already being implemented in order to test innovations and implement them more quickly (e.g. test tracks for autonomous driving).

In the research project, best practice examples will be analysed, regulatory areas of tension and needs for action will be identified and finally regulatory sandboxes for the building sector in Austria will be defined. At the end of the project, these will be handed over to the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) as recommendations for action.

Project results:

  1. Overview of national and international best practice examples of regulatory sandboxes in different economic sectors.
  2. Scoping of the regulatory areas of tension in sustainable construction in Austria
  3. Needs analysis of regulatory sandboxes in sustainable construction
  4. 10 concrete Regulatory Sandboxes in the field of sustainable construction and refurbishment with high impact
  5. Recommendations for action for the BMK

Project partners

winnovation consulting GmbH

FH Campus Wien Forschungs- und Entwicklungs GmbH

For Forest Forever GmbH

Schönherr Rechtsanwälte GmbH