Nordic Sustainable Construction

🚧 "We need to expand the design and planning phase. Spending more time here is crucial to lowering emissions on construction sites." – Björn Karlsson, Iceland's Ministry of Infrastructure, leads Work Package 4: Emission-Free Construction Sites Key takeaways from the work package: 🌍 A Nordic Declaration on Emission Reduction, endorsed by the Ministers of Housing and Construction in 2023, underscores the commitment to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions on construction sites. 🔍 Data and planning are key: More detailed data and an expanded focus on the design and planning phase are essential for effective emission reduction. 🛠️ Early-stage decisions regarding materials, energy sources, and logistics play a critical role in achieving greener outcomes. Join us online at the Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium on 4 December, where we will present key insights from all work packages, including Björn Karlsson’s findings on emission-free construction sites. In addition, keynote speakers from outside the programme will share their perspectives on the future of Nordic collaboration on climate-friendly construction and the foundations for a competitive construction sector ensuring readiness for upcoming EU regulations. Join online Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd

💬 "Having a comprehensive overview of how the methodology, tools and approaches to regulate the climate impact from the construction sector throughout the life cycle of a building are made in the Nordics and Estonia sets a strong foundation for future harmonization."   Maria Tiainen, from the Ympäristöministeriö - Miljöministeriet - Ministry of the Environment of Finland and leader of Work Package 1 on Nordic Harmonization of LCA, highlights some key results driving progress in sustainable construction:   Key achievements include: 🔹 A thorough comparison of climate declarations across the region to identify similarities, differences and best practices in regulation. 🔹 Development of recommendations for managing LCA data, leveraging BIM tools, and ensuring consistent and comparable results across projects. 🔹 Ongoing work on an acceleration project, featuring a catalog of exemplary sustainable construction projects in the Nordics and Estonia, alongside clinics to support decarbonization solutions.   These efforts are crucial for aligning regional practices and preparing for stricter EU climate regulations specifically the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive article 7, regarding LCA-GWP.   📅 Join our event on 4 December at the Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium in Copenhagen, where these themes and more will be explored. Discuss climate friendly construction with a broad cross-section of the construction industry across the Nordic + the driving forces behind our program “Nordic Sustainable Construction”.   Whether you join online or in person – secure you space by signing up here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd

💬 “A lot is happening fast in the green transition of the Nordic construction sector, which is positive, but it also creates the challenge of a skills gap in the coming years.” Coco Krusbæk from the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme’s Work Package 5 highlights a critical need in bridging this gap: Preparing the construction workforce to adopt low-emission materials, embrace reuse, and maintain existing structures instead of defaulting to new builds. 🛠️ To address this, Skills4Reuse was developed - a free, online educational material designed for students at Nordic vocational schools. This resource strengthens their knowledge and practical skills in reuse, sustainability, and circularity with a specific focus on wood and brick. 🔹 Easy-to-use for teachers: The material is crafted to seamlessly integrate into courses. 🔹 Engaging for students: Practical and relevant content prepares the next generation of builders for a greener future. 📅 Want to dive deeper into solutions for the green transition of the Nordic construction sector? Join us on 4 December at the Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium in Copenhagen, where key players in the industry will discuss how education can contribute to transforming the construction sector and many other inspiring topics. You can join online or in person Sign up here https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd

Sustainability Starts with Design and Materials ✍🌱 💬 “The role of the architect is critical in shifting the construction sector and systems across the Nordics.” – Pernille Martiny Modvig, leader of Work Package 3 “Sustainable Construction Materials and Architecture” Under the Nordic Sustainable Construction Program, SUSTAINORDIC is spotlighting the transformative potential of sustainable construction materials and architecture. This initiative emphasises the cultural shift needed to reimagine the construction sector, informed by knowledge and dialogue with stakeholders across the entire value chain - from decision-makers to those at the construction sites building our future. 🔹 Key outcomes: 👉 Insights condensed into actionable recommendations that support the Nordic Vision 2030. 👉 A focus on sustainable design and materials to drive systemic change. 👉 Knowledge-sharing efforts that ensure inclusivity and relevance across all levels of the industry. 🌿 The goal is to spark conversation and empower the Nordic construction sector with innovative, sustainable practices that not only meet but lead global standards. 📅 Join the conversation at the Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium on 4 December in Copenhagen, where discussions and presentations will focus on how architecture and material innovation can propel the green transition in the Nordics. Join in person or watch the live stream from home. 🔗 Sign up here https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd

💬 "We need to move from the nice, green speeches into specific actions, so when the market is ready, the Nordic industry and products will be the ones chosen by customers." Trine Dyrstad Pettersen, Technical director, Byggevareindustriens Forening, Norway 💬 "It is crucial that the entire value chain works in sync. We all need to have the knowledge." Elín Þórólfsdóttir, Sustainability Expert, Húsnæðis- og mannvirkjastofnun, Iceland. In this video Trine and Elín highlight the importance of harmonized approaches to climate calculations and creating better market conditions for the construction industry. By learning from each other’s experiences and aligning on strategies, the Nordic region is better equipped to meet upcoming EU regulations and maintain its competitive advantages. 🌍 These topics, and much more, will be explored in depth at the Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium on 4 December. A diverse range of Nordic construction stakeholders will discuss the future of building solutions, focusing on maintaining a leading position in climate calculations while delivering sought-after solutions - both products and expertise - on European and global stages. 📅 Join the discussion in Copenhagen on 4 December and help shape the green future of the Nordic construction sector alongside the program's driving forces and other industry experts from across the Nordics and the EU. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd

📣 Check out the programme for the Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium December 4 in Copenhagen. 👀 🔵 Introduction to Nordic Sustainable Construction Helle Redder Momsen, Head of Secretariat 🔵 The Nordic Vision 2030: The Construction Sector’s Role in Advancing Climate, Energy, and Digital Transformation Dan Koivulaakso, Head of Department for Growth and Climate, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd 🔵 Nordic Collaboration and Europe - Prioritising existing buildings for people and climate Zsolt Toth, Team Lead, BPIE - Buildings Performance Institute Europe 🔵 Conclusions, results and future perspectives from 5 work packages + panel debate and Q&A  - Nordic Harmonisation of LCA - Circular Business Models and Procurement - Sustainable Construction Materials and Architecture - Emission-free Construction Sites - Competences for Reuse in Construction Maria Tiainen, Harri Hakaste, Rasmus Malmborg, Pernille Martiny Modvig, Björn Karlsson, Coco Krusbæk 🔵 The wicked problem of Nordic collaboration on sustainable construction Sigge Winther Nielsen, Director, Institute for Wicked Problems (INVI) 🔵 Networking Discuss climate friendly construction with a broad cross-section of the construction industry across the Nordic + the driving forces behind the 3-year programme 🔗✍ Join the discussions and sign up here https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H The symposium concludes and celebrates 3 years of extensive work on strengthening the collaboration in the Nordic construction sector promoting the region as a frontrunner in sustainable and competitive construction and housing – with minimised environmental and climate impact. This symposium gathers experts and stakeholders to shape the future of sustainable construction in the Nordics. Drawing on insights from five Nordic work packages, it highlights key initiatives addressing upcoming EU regulations and climate-focused demands. Engage with programme leaders and discuss climate- and resource-friendly construction with a diverse range of Nordic and EU industry experts. Nordic Innovation, Marthe Haugland, Nikolaj Sveistrup, Ástrós Steingrímsdóttir, Aðalsteinn Ólafsson, Anders Vestergaard Jensen,

“Stricter requirements helps both us and our customers to reduce our climate impacts.” ♻ In this video from Nordic Climate Forum for Construction, Ludvig Dahlqvist from NCC highlights the importance of embracing stricter climate requirements, as a crucial step in driving sustainable construction forward. He explains how active climate policies in the Nordic countries have led to early implementation of climate calculations and how this approach has provided valuable insights into the climate impact of construction projects and ways to reduce emissions. This includes improving circularity in construction. 🏗🛠 📅 On 4 December at the Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium, presentations and discussions will - among other subjects - focus on climate regulations and new business models that can drive the shift from linear construction practices to more circular and sustainable approaches. Read more and sign up via the link below 👇👇 🤝 Ludvig emphasizes that these stricter regulations, such as those anticipated from the EU, are welcome. They not only push the construction industry to innovate but also create opportunities for collaboration with clients, all aiming to minimize environmental impact. 🌱 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd

What are likely to be the priorities for the built environment in the new EU Commission, and what role might sufficiency play? These are some of the questions we have asked Team Leader Zsolt Toth from BPIE - Buildings Performance Institute Europe to share his views on at the Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium on December 4th. Furthermore, BPIE, one of Europe’s leading think tanks on the built environment, has recently launched the report “Prioritising Existing Buildings for People and Climate,” advocating for sufficiency as a policy strategy that optimizes the use of existing buildings. This approach aims to create a built environment that is attractive, affordable, and tailored to real space and accessibility needs, all while respecting planetary boundaries. The report highlights that 34% of the EU population lives in under-occupied homes, while office occupancy rates average only 57%, revealing significant untapped potential for better use of the existing built space. Leveraging both supply-side and demand-reduction measures can ensure progress toward climate neutrality without exacerbating raw material extraction or overconsumption. Join us to explore how sufficiency can reshape sustainable construction. Sign up for the symposium here: https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd

🌱🛠 Future-Proofing Nordic Construction: Recommendations for Sustainable Development 🏡 The new report, Future-Proofing Nordic Construction, from Work Package 3 offers a set of policy recommendations to address systemic challenges related to preserving existing structures and embracing circular practices. Over a three-year period, the report has gathered insights from urban planners, policymakers, architects, and activists, combining them into a toolbox designed for thought leaders, politicians, industry players, and activists.   The report was launched this Tuesday in Malmö, where Form/Design Center hosted the conference “Place-based and Nature-based Architecture in the Nordics”. Presentations and discussions revolved around innovation in construction and efforts to reduce reliance on conventional, CO2-heavy materials.   👉 Read more and get the full report here: https://lnkd.in/d-dE3unB   The Work Package 3 “Sustainable Materials and Architecture” is managed by the platform SUSTAINORDIC. Thanks to the SUSTAINORDIC transformation panel for their support and advise throughout the process: Anna Denell, Head of Sustainability, Vasakronan Susanne Iverus Rudenstam Rudenstam, CEO, Swedish Wood Mark Hughes, Professor of Wood Tchnologies, Aalto University Pasi Aalto, Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Hulda Hallgrímsdóttir, Project Manager, Climate, City of Reykjavik Bjarke Fjeldsted, Chief Product Officer, Molio, Denmark Benedicte Wildhagen, Chief Adviser Public Systems & Service Innovation, DOGA, Norway. Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd, Anders Vestergaard Jensen

Nordic collaboration on climate-friendly construction has made significant strides, covering a wide range of aspects that are driving the construction sector in a greener direction.   In this video from the Nordic Climate Forum for Construction 2024, Jarek Kurnitski, professor at Tallinn University of Technology explains how Nordic collaboration - from an Estonian perspective - has influenced the implementation of climate requirements in the construction sector.   Jarek highlights the importance of harmonization across the Nordic countries, including Estonia, and emphasizes how close collaboration can improve the sector’s overall performance in terms of sustainability and property management. This also facilitates easier cross-border comparisons and ensures a more level playing field and fairer competition.   On the 4th of December, at the Nordic Sustainable Construction Forum, we will explore this subject further with highlights from the three-year program, including results from a work package dedicated to Nordic harmonization of LCA.   📅 Join us as we conclude and celebrate three years of extensive work on strengthening collaboration in the Nordic construction sector.   🔗 Sign up here https://lnkd.in/dBVzcn9H Nordic Innovation, Nordisk Råd og Nordisk Ministerråd