The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has estimated that the Mediterranean region could experiencean increase in annual mean temperatures up to 4.5 C by 2080. Within the same time frame the fossil fuel stocks are predicted to diminish resulting in ever increasingfuel prices. Furthermore, there is continuous political pressure to impose greenhouse gas levies and quotas for industries and services alike, thus adding into their operationalexpenditures should they exceed their carbon quotas.

This paper describes some of the thinking behind the thermal comfort provisions of the new European StandardEN15251 (CEN: 2007) which deals with all aspects on the indoor environment. The paper will present the evidence on which its provisions are based (focusing on thermal comfort) and the advantages they present for those concerned to design buildings which use the minimumof energy.

The effect of shading in reducing the energy consumptionof office buildings in Athens is investigated in this article. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the role of shading devices in the improvement of energy efficiencyof urban buildings especially in Southern Europe.The first phase of research consisted of detailed data collection from 10 office buildings in the region of Athens, employing questionnaires, in-situ visits as well as interviews.

This paper presents the optical and thermal performancesof different glazed surfaces coupled with a shading system struck by solar radiation. The mean monthly values of the total solar energy transmittance g are determinedand of the transmission coefficient ? of the window area, the shading system, the compound windowshading system, with the shading placed externally,inside and in the glazing interpane. The effect of the shading system on the solar contributions to heating and cooling is determined with reference to a case study.

Following the study by V H C Crisp and P J Littlefair (CIBS, 1984)1 on Average Daylight Factor Prediction, the arguments for the use of average daylight factor as a design criterion are reviewed in light of new experimentalassessments.

The sensation of comfort in buildings depends on externaland internal variables: the well-known PMV method relates the expected temperature with the physiological behavior of the human body. Some models have discussedthe relevance of adaptation factors, in order to explainthe higher expected good temperature of users living in warm climates. The same PMV method has been modified for these climatic situations.

The building and construction sector is a key sector for sustainable development. In response to the demand for evaluation and management of buildings environmental performance several tools and methodologies have been developed and implemented to building construction aiming sustainable performance. The paper is focusing on rating systems analysis, comparison and implementationfor buildings environmental performance. Criteriafor rating systems evaluation are set, while the most representative rating systems such as BREEAM and LEED were implemented to office building in Greece.

Despite of Brazil not being among the major world energy consumers, the consumption of electricity has significantly increased in the last years. The National Energy Balance of 2005, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Energy, showed that buildings consume 45% of the electric energy generated in the country. Standards and codes on energy efficiency can represent 12% of energy consumption savings in twenty years for developing countries according to a global survey developed by Duffie (1996).

This document presents the theoretical study of evaporativecooling designed for the outdoor spaces in the Spanish pavilion of the coming International Exhibition in Zaragoza 2008.

New Academic direction- threat or opportunity Industrial academics or sponsorship of higher education Across the world there is a new ‘breed of academics’ emerging, one’s that are closely linked to practice or the industry. Industry or practice sponsored