Low-carbon construction

Along with industry, the built environment is one of the most significant producers of CO2 emissions, and its importance in curbing climate change is undeniable.

Combating climate change, preparing for its effects and safeguarding biodiversity are huge challenges in which the built environment plays a significant role.

The life cycle of buildings is long, starting with land use and zoning, all the way to use, maintenance and demolition. And the longer the building's lifespan, the better it is for the climate and nature.

The built environment accounts for over a third of the energy consumed by Finns and is also responsible for about a third of Finland's climate emissions. Currently, most of the sector's emissions come from the energy consumption of buildings during their use. The actual construction phase accounts for about 6,5 percent of total emissions, with the largest impact being from building materials.

In terms of the realization of a low-carbon built environment, a comprehensive approach to the design of buildings, traffic and movement, services, energy solutions and waste management is essential.

The choices made in zoning have far-reaching effects both at the regional and building level. For example, transport and energy solutions are bound for up to a hundred years. By developing zoning, the urban settlement structure can be controlled in particular, and the coordination of land use and traffic can be improved.

The low-carbon road map indicates alternative routes to the goals and effective reduction of emissions in the built environment and in construction.

See also

• Low-carbon construction data bank

• Low-carbon construction industry 2035 updated roadmap (pdf)
• Biodiversity road map of the construction industry
• Webinar on carbon compensations 21.3.2023 March XNUMX

Elsewhere online

• Sitra Studies: Tackling root causes – Halting biodiversity loss through the circular economy (pdf)