In the Sustainable Construction Criteria project, control measures, assessment methods and indicators related to sustainable construction are investigated in a wide area. The project led by Rakennusteollisuus RT was aptly named "KeKri" after it started in the early autumn during the harvest festival. Ecobio Oy acts as a consultant in the project.
In recent years, the topic of sustainability in construction has risen prominently on various agendas and has also been brought up as a possible part of construction regulation. Sustainable construction as a concept is broad and difficult to define, and it is often combined with energy efficiency or ecology. However, sustainable construction refers more broadly to construction in accordance with sustainable development.
In sustainable construction, economic, social and ecological aspects are taken into account more broadly
In sustainable construction, the entire life cycle of the building is taken into account, from the planning of land use and construction to the demolition of the building and the sorting of demolition waste. The goal is to produce long-lasting, energy- and material-efficient buildings that take into account economic, social and ecological aspects.
The environmental aspect includes, for example, conservation of natural resources, renewable energy, recycling and utilization of materials, emissions and protecting biodiversity. The social dimension covers, for example, aspects related to the comfort, functionality and health of buildings. Life cycle costs of buildings, produced value and operating conditions are related to the economic review of sustainable construction.
Carbon footprint in the center
The calculation of the carbon footprint is often applied in the assessment of the environmental effects of construction. In Finland too, the carbon footprint has been raised as a key indicator of sustainable construction. Through the EU and international climate agreements, Finland is committed to ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, and the construction industry is an important sector in terms of achieving the targets.
In the national Rahi project, the Ministry of the Environment has outlined a road map for the introduction of regulations regarding the carbon footprint during the life cycle of buildings. As part of the regulation, emission ceilings would be introduced, which can play a big role in guiding sustainable construction and building design. Other indicators of sustainable development have not been investigated as comprehensively, although sustainable and ecological construction involves many important perspectives and indicators in addition to the carbon footprint.
KeKri deals with the assessment of sustainable construction in a wide area
The goal of the KeKri project is to find out which indicators are the most significant from the point of view of sustainable construction and how they can be applied in Finland. The review takes into account the different control methods developed for the life cycle assessment of buildings, such as European standards, voluntary classification systems and legislation. Sustainability assessment is carried out on many different fronts and levels, so different methods and tools inevitably involve uncertainties, contradictions and compromises.
In KeKri, currently nationally and internationally applied control means and methods are gathered together, and the related similarities, differences and uncertainty factors are mapped. In addition, we will find out how possible emission ceilings set for greenhouse gases can affect other indicators of sustainable construction and thus affect other aspects of sustainable construction. The project aims to examine sustainable construction and the methods used for its assessment as a broad entity, taking into account the suitability of the indicators and methods to Finland's conditions, goals and legislative framework.
The project will be completed in spring 2019
The KeKri project is implemented at the initiative of Rakennusteollisuus RT. It was launched at a meeting of the steering group in early autumn. The steering group includes representatives from Rakennusteollisuus RT and its members, the Ministry of the Environment, RAKLI, and SKOL. The report consists of five different sub-assemblies, from which a unified report is compiled at the end. Acting as a consultant, Ecobio Oy is responsible for the investigation phase of the project.
After the clarification phase, the indicators of sustainable construction evaluated at work will be piloted in connection with future construction projects. The survey part is planned to be completed in the spring of 2019, after which the piloting phase will be started. The project will be communicated regularly during the project, especially when different sub-assemblies are completed.
More information
- Pekka Vuorinen
- environment and energy director
- pekka.vuorinen(@)rt.fi
- tel. 050 469 2021, 09 129 9303