Low carbon

The construction industry is committed to Finland's climate goals and reducing emissions. Three quarters of the real estate and construction sector's carbon footprint is generated by the energy consumption of the current building stock. The last quarter of emissions comes from construction itself: half from building materials and the other half from construction site activities and transportation.

Our goal

1. Attention will be focused on the energy efficiency of the existing building stock, building engineering solutions and the low-emission energy forms of heating energy.
2. The state must reform the industry's low-carbon regulation consistently and in such a way that the requirements are feasible.
3. The climate effects of construction must be assessed over the entire building's life cycle. For example, the use of stainless steel instead of normal brushed steel extends the life cycle of buildings and thus reduces emissions, even though the carbon footprint of the construction phase is larger.
4. Building regulations must set material- and technology-neutral goals for the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of buildings and the built environment. Construction operators find the best and most cost-effective ways to meet the requirements.
5. Municipal land use solutions can have a significant impact on construction emissions. Land use planning can best combine low-carbon energy solutions, low-emission and efficient movement, and low-emission construction.
6. In their procurement, public operators must emphasize low carbon in a material and technology neutral way and as predictably as possible.
7. We will introduce support and guidance measures that open up the market for alternative operating forces, so that SMEs can also participate in the green transition.  
8. R&D investments and correctly targeted energy and investment subsidies will be increased significantly. 

See also

• Low-carbon construction
• Low-carbon construction industry 2035 roadmap

More information

Jani Kemppainen

Expert, technical requirements

jani.kemppainen@rt.fi +358 40 541 8090

Building Construction Industry Association

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