New report: Identifying Barriers to Emission-Free Construction Sites

How Barriers and Policies Influence the Transition to Emission-Free Construction Sites

Publiceret 21-01-2025

Reducing emissions from construction sites is one of the crucial focus areas to minimise the negative climate- and environmental impact from construction. This report identifies key barriers to emission reductions, focusing on policy, financial, technological, and systemic challenges.

Positive developments and remaining barriers

The green transition towards emission-free construction sites is a crucial step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. While significant challenges remain, there have been notable positive developments in recent years. This report categorises the remaining barriers into four key areas:

Policy and regulatory barriers: Gaps in regulations, outdated building codes, and slow political action hinder progress.
Financial barriers: High initial costs, longer project timelines, and limited access to financing make adopting sustainable practices difficult.
Technological barriers: Challenges include limited availability of low-emission equipment, charging infrastructure, and hydrogen distribution.
Systemic barriers: Complex processes, resistance to change, and a lack of collaboration slow the adoption of emission-free methods.

Increased Awareness of Emission Reduction on Construction Sites

Since 2021, where the work package “Emission Free Construction Site” who is responsible for this report was established, there has been growing awareness among stakeholders about the importance of reducing emissions from construction sites. In the work package “Emission Free Construction Site”, the discussions have expanded to include the connection between emissions reduction and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a vital tool for measuring sustainability across the full life cycle of buildings.

The report highlights specific examples of progress, such as the growing use of LCA regulations in some Nordic countries and innovative pilot projects that have tested low-emission technologies on construction sites. These initiatives demonstrate that meaningful solutions are emerging, paving the way for broader adoption.

Collaboration and Solutions for Future Construction Sites

Survey findings reinforce the significance of these barriers, with over half of respondents identifying increased costs, lack of financial incentives, and limited availability of low-emission machinery as critical challenges. Cultural barriers, including a lack of client demand, were also noted. However, these insights underline the interconnected nature of the challenges, particularly the influence of time and cost pressures.

Addressing these issues requires a collaborative approach. Dialogue between stakeholders—such as those who design projects and those who execute them—is essential for bridging gaps in understanding and implementation. Clear and unified regulations, financial support for emission-free technologies, and long-term investments in infrastructure remain critical. Importantly, the industry's growing focus on LCA-based regulation provides a framework for progress and accountability.

By building on these positive developments and fostering continued collaboration, policymakers and industry leaders can accelerate the green transition and pave the way for emission-free construction sites across the Nordics.

The report “How Barriers and Policies Influence the Transition to Emission-free Construction Sites” is available now.

Read the full report here