Why Building Green in 2026 Starts with the Façade

After a few slow years, the construction market is finally gaining momentum again, but the ground rules have shifted. In 2026, success is defined by hard data, strict compliance, and long-term commercial value. Emma Klåvus, Material Science Engineer and Product Manager at ChromoGenics, explains how a Swedish innovation is making it easier to build carbon-neutral for real.

According to the European Commission, buildings account for roughly 40% of Europe’s energy consumption and emissions. This year, regulations regarding life-cycle assessments (LCA) and energy performance have been significantly tightened. With the CSRD taking full effect in 2026, European companies and property owners face a major shift where sustainability is no longer just a ‘nice-to-have’, but a legal requirement that must be proven and documented.

“In 2026, everything comes down to measurability. New regulations force the sector to account for a building’s total carbon footprint from ‘cradle to grave’. The industry’s biggest challenge will be balancing the demand for low CO2 emissions during construction with minimising energy use during operation”, explains Klåvus.

When building new, the facade often determines whether a project’s numbers will add up. While large glass surfaces are preferred for their natural light and aesthetic appeal, they can easily become a liability if a building overheats. ChromoGenics addresses this with ConverLight® – a dynamic solar control solution produced using a unique sputtering technology that ensures a record-low carbon footprint. By balancing thermal comfort with maximum daylight, ConverLight® helps projects secure top-tier ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Platinum’ certifications under BREEAM and LEED, all without compromising the architectural vision.

“Solar control is often a forgotten item when calculating emissions in the early stages, even though it has such a huge impact. Our latest Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) shows that ConverLight can reduce CO2 emissions in the construction phase by up to 80% compared to other solutions, which places us in a league of our own”, says Klåvus.

The electrochromic technology itself is advanced, but the way it’s produced and delivered is just as clever. By creating the thin laminate in a ‘roll-to-roll’ sputtering process, the company gains a level of flexibility that allows the foil to be manufactured in their Uppsala facility and then shipped to local glass processors anywhere in the world for lamination close to the project site.

“We currently have a major delivery for a project in Hong Kong. Instead of transporting 30 containers filled with heavy, fragile glass units across the globe, we can safely ship the equivalent amount of active solar control on just a few pallets. This saves a massive amount on both transport emissions and shipping costs”, Klåvus explains.

The real long term benefits, however, are felt once the building is occupied. Once installed, the system is managed via a cloud-based interface, allowing windows to be grouped into specific zones for precise, automated climate control.

The glass tints in direct response to sunlight, blocking solar heat radiation before it can penetrate the building’s interior. During colder months, the technology provides a reverse benefit, acting as a high-performance insulating layer that retains internal heat while shielding the interior from the cold. A recent EU-backed study conducted in a Swedish office environment demonstrated that this active regulation can reduce total energy consumption by as much as 40%.

“By syncing ConverLight with the building’s management system, you can often scale back, or even skip, expensive cooling systems altogether. For projects aiming for the highest BREEAM or LEED scores, this is a shortcut to high marks in both energy efficiency and indoor climate”, says Emma.

Chasing the lowest initial price tag is often a false economy. Emma Klåvus believes the industry needs to move past immediate costs and focus on the value a building holds over its entire lifespan. This requires a shift in mindset—backing innovative, proven solutions rather than simply sticking to the status quo.

“The technology to build carbon-neutral is already here. By combining efficient production with smart tech, we’re creating buildings that don’t just put less strain on the planet – they actually work with the sun to create a better environment, both inside and out”, Emma concludes.