The trend of environmentally friendly construction is significantly less appealing to Czechs compared to other European nations. According to a survey conducted by construction company Saint-Gobain, both everyday homebuyers and industry professionals display notable hesitation toward sustainable building practices.
The numbers tell a compelling story: only 40 percent of construction professionals and a mere 16 percent of the general public consider sustainable construction a priority. These figures stand in stark contrast to European averages, where approximately half of the general population and 60 percent of industry experts prioritize sustainability. Even more revealing is that over one-third of Czechs have never heard of sustainable construction, while 13 percent of industry professionals remain uninformed.
Tomáš Rosák, Executive Director of Saint-Gobain for Eastern Europe, suggests that Czechs have a simplified understanding of sustainable construction, viewing it primarily as a matter of renovations, building material quality, and energy efficiency. “The positive aspect is that they perceive it practically,” Rosák noted. However, he emphasized that sustainability in construction encompasses much broader considerations, including occupant health, building resilience to climate change, and innovation – areas where Czech society still has significant progress to make.
The survey findings confirm earlier market experiences. In spring consultations conducted by advisory firm CEEC Research, companies reported that sustainable materials were not a priority for most of their customers. Yet, ecological construction can significantly increase property market value. According to the World Green Building Council, buildings with “green certifications” can be worth up to 10 percent more than those without such credentials.
A notable example of certified green building in the Czech Republic is ČSOB headquarters in Prague’s Radlice district, which was the country’s first building to receive green certification. As sustainability becomes increasingly important globally, the Czech market’s reluctance highlights both challenges and opportunities for growth in the sustainable construction sector.