Autodesk Is Powering Europe's Carbon-Free Built Environment

Fremont, CA: Europe is at the forefront of the global push for a net-zero carbon built environment, driven by ambitious policies like the European Green Deal and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). These regulations aren't just aspirational; they're creating a legal and commercial imperative for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry to cut carbon emissions drastically. Achieving this requires a fundamental shift in how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated. Digital transformation, powered by advanced software and data analytics, is no longer a luxury—it's the essential tool for meeting these new standards. Autodesk, with its suite of design and construction software, is providing the digital backbone for this transition.

Autodesk Tools: From Concept to Completion

Autodesk’s platform provides an integrated workflow that enables AEC professionals to embed sustainability throughout every stage of a project. At its core, Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Revit provides a single, data-rich 3D model that serves as a “single source of truth,” enabling teams to analyse and optimise building performance from the earliest design stages. BIM helps reduce waste by identifying and resolving clashes before they result in costly rework. At the same time, tools like Autodesk Insight enable energy performance simulations, allowing designers to test building orientations, glazing types, and insulation materials for optimal efficiency. Integration with the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) further supports sustainable decision-making by assessing the carbon footprint of materials and identifying lower-carbon alternatives. As projects progress to construction, the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) connects office and field teams, improving efficiency through digital work plans, lean construction principles, and real-time tracking of materials and emissions, thereby creating a transparent and traceable supply chain. Complementing these capabilities, Autodesk’s generative design and automation tools leverage AI to explore thousands of design options, optimising structural efficiency, minimising material use, and reducing embodied carbon, ultimately supporting lighter, more sustainable, and cost-effective structures.

Training and Resources for European Professionals

Autodesk addresses the skills gap in sustainable design across Europe by offering a comprehensive suite of educational resources that empower professionals to implement net-zero strategies effectively. Through its online learning platforms, Autodesk provides courses and certifications that cover topics such as BIM for sustainability, energy analysis in Revit, and leveraging the Autodesk Construction Cloud for green building projects. Complementing these offerings, the company regularly publishes case studies and whitepapers that showcase how European firms are applying Autodesk solutions to achieve sustainability goals, from large-scale commercial developments to modular residential construction. Autodesk partners with industry bodies and government agencies to advocate for policies that support digital adoption and sustainable practices, ensuring its tools remain aligned with evolving regulatory standards and the practical needs of the AEC sector.

By providing a comprehensive set of software tools and a robust ecosystem of training and support, Autodesk is not just selling software—it's enabling the European AEC industry to design and build a more sustainable, carbon-free future.