THE VISION OF UN17 Village in COPENHAGEN

Sustainable kitchens

United Nations (UNFCCC) holds COP, a Climate Change Conference, every year. It aims to bring together world leaders to discuss ways to mitigate climate change. More than 70,000 delegates attended COP29 in Baku and the 30th COP (which stands for 'Conference of Parties') will take place in November 2025 in Brazil. 

Why is COP so important? 

Climate change refers to a long-term shift in global temperatures. There are natural factors that contribute to this shift, as well as human activities that increase the risk of adverse climate change. 

According to UN reports, the increase in temperature needs to stay below 1.5c to maintain a climate that will be habitable for humans. If the temperature rises more than this we will begin to see more frequent and more extreme natural disasters. 

Changes start at home

If you live in a new build home, many of its design features will already be helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Older properties can be less planet friendly but there are ways to improve this.

The BBC has identified small changes (energy-efficient light bulbs and draught excluders) that could save you money and help the environment. 

​United Nations global goals for sustainable development

Businesses in every industry are becoming more aware of their carbon footprint. Kitchen specialists know the importance of sustainability and have been moving towards improving the way the industry uses, and replaces, natural materials for some time. 

The United Nations have set 17 global goals for sustainable development (see below) and are working to create the UN village in Copenhagen that embodies all of these. 

What is UN17 Village?

The UN17 village, built in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a holistic solution to construction challenges. The project aims to meet the highest social, economic and environmental standards and improve living standards. Focusing on community, biodiversity and health (both physical and mental) the project has included the construction of 536 apartments. Find out more about UN17 village here. The creators of UN17 have translated the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals into 200 sustainability initiatives, e implemented in the five buildings built at the southern tip of Ørestad. The village will create a community for around 1,100 residents. 

Rotpunkt Kitchens​

Rotpunkt kitchens are at the forefront of this exciting pilot and will install their sustainable kitchen and bathroom ranges in all 536 apartments.  Rotpunkt's participation in this rigorously sustainable initiative is far from surprising. Their innovative BioBoard Gen2 is a new way of making chipboard with up to 90% recycled wood. 

Rotpunkt also has a plethora of certifications for off-setting carbon emissions, using local materials, responsible forestry and fair working conditions. Rotpunkt also regularly partner with projects like My Climate that help make a positive change for local communities and the environment. 

Cosentino's Silestone 'Sunlit Days'

Rotpunkt isn't the only kitchen brand making a change to benefit the environment. Cosentino's Silestone collection, Sunlit Days, is leading the change for quartz worktops. This collection was the first carbon-neutral engineered stone on the market.

Silestone's pioneering HybriQ® technology uses 99% reused water from the production process. There is a minimum of 20% recycled materials in the quartz and the manufacturing process uses 100% renewable electric energy. All you have to do is pick the perfect colour for your kitchen.​

​Quooker Taps

Quooker taps are the market leader in boiling water taps and are also making kitchens more sustainable. Have you ever filled a kettle just for one cup of tea? Or reboiled a kettle because you'd walked off and started another task? With Quooker you only use the (instant boiled) water that you need. 

In 2016 Quooker added 900 solar panels to their premises which generates all the energy they need. 

​With so many environmentally friendly ideas to think about, that will help you tick your eco boxes, just visit our showroom to see our range of sustainable products and discuss your new kitchen with us.