Nordic Sustainable Construction: Results resonate in the EU

How can the Nordic countries work together to drive the shift to low-emission construction and efficient use of materials? The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Vision 2030 seeks to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The scarcity of resources, the need for circularity and the way the current building stock is used as pressing issues in all of the Nordic countries. 

In his keynote speech at the symposium, Dan Koivulaakso, Head of the Department for Growth and Climate at the Nordic Council of Ministers, pointed out that construction is a key sector in work toward realising the vision.

“The Nordic Council of Ministers will develop and improve our work on climate adaptation and support solutions at the intersection of climate, biodiversity and pollution – the triple planetary crisis. The construction sector is a key area to address and all the work that has been accomplished in Nordic Sustainable Construction has already made an important contribution to this agenda.” 

The Nordic Sustainable Construction Programme has compiled key results from the four-year project into a 'toolbox' where you can delve into topics such as the harmonisation of life cycle assessments in Nordic legislation, circular business models and sustainable construction materials. 

The Nordic program has had a ripple effect like rings in water. During the four years, the programme provided input into the European Commission’s work on identifying transitional opportunities for construction. 

The President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is enthusiastic about the synergies the Nordic Sustainable Construction program has created:

“Our built environment impacts our health, well-being and also our climate and environment. Innovation in materials, digitalization and circularity are crucial to improve the way we build. The collaboration, Nordic Sustainable Construction, is a great example of how to combine climate protection, innovation and competitiveness of our construction sector and how to implement the values ​​of the new European Bauhaus: Sustainability, inclusiveness and beauty."

Karen Ellemann , the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, is also pleased with the outcomes of the programme.

“I am delighted to note that Nordic co-operation on making the construction sector sustainable strengthens the region and that our experience and analyses are sought after in the EU and the rest of the world. Inspiring each other and sharing effective solutions are more important than ever.” she says.

A completely new EU Commission has commenced work towards 2029 and appointed a former Danish climate minister, Dan Jørgensen, as the first commissioner responsible for housing and energy.