Is natural ventilation used where possible?

With global energy consumption in buildings accounting for 40% of total emissions, a critical question emerges: Are we underutilizing natural ventilation as a primary climate control strategy? While 78% of new commercial buildings in Europe now feature automated HVAC systems, only 34% integrate cross-ventilation designs as mandated by 2023 EU energy directives. This disparity reveals a systemic gap between technological advancement and passive design adoption.