The Spanish city of Seville is now home to the first building in the European Union that not only produces more energy than it consumes (energy-positive), but also absorbs more CO₂ than it emits (carbon-negative). A milestone in the history of European architecture – and a clear sign that the technologies we once considered futuristic are now within reach.

Developed as part of the Cartuja Qanat project, the building is rooted in traditional climate-responsive design, adapted to the needs of today’s urban environments: shading systems, natural ventilation, water-based cooling, and renewable energy sources.
And perhaps most importantly – this project isn’t just about energy efficiency. It’s about net environmental impact and achieving real reductions in carbon footprint.

What does this mean for Poland?

Poland is approaching a crucial moment in its transformation:

• From 2027, the EU ETS 2 will come into force – an emissions trading system that includes transport and buildings.
• At the same time, electricity demand is surging, driven by transport electrification, heating systems like heat pumps, and rapid digitalization.
• Meanwhile, population decline continues across most counties and municipalities – growing only in the largest cities and their surrounding. In these areas, housing demand outpaces supply, pushing prices up.

Where do we stand?

In Poland, there’s plenty of talk about low-emission, passive, or energy-efficient buildings – but we still lack real-world examples of buildings that are both energy-positive and carbon-negative.

It’s no longer about technological or financial barriers. What’s holding us back is mindset – particularly among major developers and the country’s wealthiest individuals, who could be part of the solution but remain on the sidelines.

Questions we should be asking:

- When will the first energy-positive, carbon-negative building in Poland be built?
- Will it be a public investment – led by a municipality or state-owned enterprise – to show the public sector can lead by example?
- Or will the first move come from a large private company, or one of Poland’s wealthiest individuals, eager to align cutting-edge architecture with the lifestyle demands of a changing world?

Time for a challenge

Challenge: The new headquarters of the companies owned by Poland’s top 10 wealthiest individuals should be energy-positive and carbon-negative. Why not? They have the resources. And it would send a strong signal of modernity, leadership, and responsibility.

What’s standing in the way?

- Lack of regulatory pressure – current legislation doesn’t demand ambitious standards.
- Low awareness – "carbon-negative" still sounds like science fiction to many investors and decision-makers.
- Fragmented climate policy – without clear national strategies and incentives, long-term decisions are hard to make.

But let’s remember: every breakthrough starts with a first building, a first decision, a first act of courage.
If Seville can do it – why not Warsaw, Gdańsk, Cracow, or Poznań?

Read more: https://swiatoze.pl/sewilla-stawia-na-plusenergetyke-pierwszy-budynek-ue-o-dodatnim-bilansie-energii-i-ujemnej-emisji-co%E2%82%82/

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