GLOBAL SHADING DAY 2026

Shading makes a difference!

Tomorrow, March 21, 2026, the fourth edition of Global Shading Day will take place. 

Under the theme Shading Makes a Difference wants the European Solar Shading Organization (ES-SO) to. alert the general public, policymakers and building professionals to the increasingly important role of solar shading in a warming climate.

With longer and hotter summers, homes, workplaces and public buildings are increasingly experiencing overheating. Rising indoor temperatures have a direct impact on health, sleep quality, learning performance and productivity. At the same time, the use of air conditioning increases, leading to higher energy consumption and additional emissions.

According to ES-SO, it is time to reverse that trend by focusing more strongly on preventive solutionsn. Shading plays a key role in this.

“With the theme Shading Makes a Difference, we want to show that shading really does make a difference,” said Ann Van Eycken, secretary general of ES-SO. “Not only for energy consumption, but also for people's daily comfort and health."

Dynamic shading prevents solar heat from entering the building, helping to maintain pleasant indoor temperatures. As passive solution It reduces dependence on energy-intensive cooling systems and contributes to the energy efficiency of buildings.

Solar shading is not only relevant during hot summer months. They can also contribute to energy savings in winter. Leaving blinds open during the day makes optimal use of free solar heat. This contrasts with solar control glass, which also blocks much of the sun's heat in winter. ‘s Evening shading helps keep the accumulated heat inside.

Research shows that this can lead to energy savings of up to 15% in northern Europe, 17 percent in central Europe and as much as 41% in southern Europe.

Find expert advice and discover how to support this goal at www.globalshadingday.com. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate by organizing events, sharing their knowledge and promoting the benefits of solar shading through social networks and local media.