About

The Nordic countries are among the first in the world pursuing to set normative limits for the emission footprints of buildings. With the work package on Emission-Free Construction Sites, we will go a step further and include the construction phase.

The aim in this work package is to support a transition to emission free construction sites through policymaking and through building the required competency and capacity in the building sector.

Currently, none of the Nordic countries have set normative criteria for emission-free construction sites and the Nordics thus have a unique opportunity to harmonize regulations and guidelines.

The intent of the work package is to diminish carbon and other direct emissions at construction sites e.g. through using emission-free power sources, planning the seasonal use of heat and light at construction sites, but also through the development of logistical solutions to conserve transportation and handling resources in a way that diminish emissions.

To create support, visibility and a solid foundation for an increased focus on emission-free construction sites, a common Nordic declaration will be formulated and steps taken to ensure its endorsement and acceptance by the Nordic construction industry.

Activities

• Nordic Declaration on emission-free construction site endorsed by the Nordic Ministers of housing and construction and by the Nordic actors in the construction industry
• Publish report on definitions, boundaries and terminology of the area
• Establish a platform for co-operation on technology development and facilitate a brokering event or platform within a large gathering on construction issues
• Encourage and facilitate Nordic research and innovation to support emission-free construction sites
• Encourage and facilitate the development of guidelines for procurers and construction companies on emission free construction sites and produce an online guide
• Publish report on main barriers and recommendations to emission-free construction sites in the Nordic countries

Work package responsible

The Ministry of Infrastructure of Iceland is responsible for the work package Emission-free construction sites.

The ministry is represented by Senior Advisor, Björn Karlsson, who is also an associated professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iceland.