This shift in mindset is especially relevant in the Nordic region, where high per-capita emissions and large space usage push us beyond global averages. The region’s current building culture has embedded itself in lifestyles that deplete resources faster than they can regenerate and where biodiversity is taking a toll on both the construction site and where the materials were sourced.
To address these issues and support the goals of the Nordic Vision 2030, this report presents a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at reducing climate and biodiversity impacts in Nordic construction, focusing on circular principles, low-carbon practices, and the sustainable transformation of existing buildings.
Policy Paths for Building within the Safe Operating Space
The new report from Work Package 3 “Future-Proofing Nordic Construction” consolidates insights from urban planners, policymakers, architects, engineers, developers, building owners, and activists, gathered through three years of knowledge generation. Across this collaboration, one message has been clear: the challenges at the intersection of construction and climate are deep-seated and systemic in nature, requiring coordinated, multilevel governance and holistic solutions rather than isolated, standalone actions.
The recommendations aim to create a sustainable and resilient construction sector in the Nordics by supporting adaptation to local contexts and aligning governance with planetary boundaries. Policymakers and industry leaders are encouraged to approach these as interconnected solutions, calling for flexibility, dialogue, and adjustment based on the unique characteristics of each Nordic region.
A taste of the type of recommendations
The overarching tendencies in these policy recommendations reflect a holistic shift towards sustainable, life-centric development that balances environmental integrity with social well-being. Emphasizing preservation over new construction, the policies advocate for ecological responsibility, resource circularity, and community-centric approaches that address both urban and rural needs. They encourage a cohesive legislative framework that not only safeguards natural and cultural assets but also embraces innovative, flexible policies to adapt to local contexts.
- Preservation and Adaptive Reuse: Prioritizing retrofitting and renovating buildings over new construction, to reduce resource use and preserve cultural heritage.
- Circular Economy and Material Recirculation: Encouraging the reuse of materials, with incentives for low-impact, bio-based options, minimizing environmental footprints across the sector.
- Shift from Material Consumption to Sustainable Value-Creation: Prioritizing natural resource preservation and regenerative practices to reshape economic incentives, focusing on social and ecological well-being over financial accumulation, with a collaborative focus on sustainable land use, climate adaptation, and ecosystem service protection.
- Place-based User- and Community-Driven Development: Place-based and participatory urban planning that aligns with local needs and fosters social cohesion encompassing strategies for ecological, economic, and social sustainability, responds to site, draws on local traditions, and fosters community.
- Transparent and Holistic Assessment: Implementing clear carbon and ecosystem impact measures and fostering cross-sector collaboration to uphold sustainability standards.
Societal wins as a side effect of sector transformation
The report points to a long list of potential societal wins that would result from applying the policy recommendations. These wins can be summarized into the following four overarching wins connected to the focus on transforming existing building stock:
- Economic and Job Market Growth: By focusing on building transformation, the industry can generate high-skill jobs, foster rural economic revitalization, and support green innovation and economic resilience.
- Enhanced Social Cohesion and Community Wellbeing: Transformation projects foster social connectivity by creating shared spaces and inclusive housing, promoting neighbourhood acceptance and reducing disruptions.
- Environmental and Cultural Sustainability: This approach reduces emissions, preserves biodiversity, and enhances cultural heritage, enriching the urban and rural landscape alike.
- Climate Resilience and Global Leadership: Sustainable practices in renovation help the Nordics lead globally in construction innovation, aligning with climate adaptation goals and creating communities prepared for the future.
Inspiration for change makers
The recommendations are intended for the actors who hold the power and mandate to catalyse the necessary cultural change within and around the built environment to activate a shift towards a total conversion of the Nordic housing and construction sector towards practises with minimal environmental and climate impacts.
It is the mission of this report to help thought leaders, politicians and industry players start breaking down these barriers.
Read the full report Future-Proofing Nordic Construction here