Architects launch a petition to lower VAT on bio-based materials

The authors of the petition regret that building owners often choose the least expensive construction materials and techniques because these are “directly or indirectly related to petrochemicals“, they recall. “Their manufacture and implementation consume a lot of energy“, thus emitting large quantities of greenhouse gases. Conversely, “biosourced and geosourced materials, of natural origin and minimally transformed, and those relating to reuse respond in particular to the major challenges at the start of the 21st century, of rehabilitation, repair, restoration of the world already there. For them to be selected at the time of procurement, their prices must be competitive“, say the authors.

The architects are calling for greater use of raw earth, wood, straw, but also the reuse of plastic waste, water-based paint and the use of natural ventilation in future constructions and renovations. “The more they will be demanded, produced and employed, the more their price will fall“, they assure. They are thus asking that a reduction in VAT on the purchases, sales and implementation of bio-sourced, geo-sourced and reuse materials from 10% to 2.1% be applied for all types of work. in rehabilitation, and from 20% to 5.5% for all types of work in new construction.