Many stakeholders in the construction industry have claimed that climate regulations are considered to be meaningless and expensive. Yet now is not the time to abolish such requirements – rather, we need to build on what we already have.
If the climate goals are to be met, everyone must contribute to the best of their ability. In July 2023, a requirement was introduced in the building regulations (TEK17) for the documentation of GHG accounts in connection with the construction of new residential blocks and commercial buildings. The frontrunners in the construction industry have helped to drive this essential development forward. These are often larger businesses, which see the requirement for GHG accounting as a competitive advantage. And it is, too! Ambitious pilot projects have shown that reductions in emissions are possible, both in theory and in practice.
The climate crisis is making it impossible to lower ambitions. However, we can improve the requirements and our knowledge relating to them.
Yet the requirement for GHG accounting has also attracted criticism from the construction industry. For different reasons. Some have expressed frustration over a paper mill that no one ever reads. Others point to the burden of substantial additional costs. The climate crisis is making it impossible to lower ambitions. However, we can improve the requirements and our knowledge relating to them.
Norway must also introduce limit values
Today’s requirements for keeping GHG accounts should be followed up with limit values, i.e. the maximum volume of emissions that is permissible. There is a good numerical basis for this today. Denmark has set limit values. Sweden and Finland are both planning to introduce limit values.
In the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the EU asks Member States to develop a roadmap for the setting of limit values. If we fail to follow their lead, Norway risks being left behind the rest of Europe in terms of initiatives and knowledge to limit emissions from buildings.
A national database should be established as a matter of urgency to collect mandatory GHG accounts. Among our Swedish and Danish neighbours, this has been at the heart of the regulation. The database is also actively being used in the further development of regulation and requirements.
Businesses need help
We also need a knowledge boost in the industry. The requirements must feel achievable, even for those who do not have specialists in the field. In Norway, 99 percent of enterprises are small or medium-sized, with fewer than 100 employees. With regard to these enterprises, it cannot simply be assumed that phasing in climate requirements will be easy.
In Denmark, knowledge has been freely available to both small and large companies via a resource centre for GHG accounting for buildings.
Among our Nordic neighbours, analyses from the database are used to provide the entire industry with insight and knowledge about emissions levels. In Denmark, knowledge has been freely available to both small and large companies via a resource centre for GHG accounting for buildings. This common approach to learning increases the industry’s involvement in the development of both limit values and methods.
A survey conducted by Sparebank1 in 2024 shows that 19 percent of businesses in Norway prepare GHG accounts. Two in five companies have specific goals for cutting their emissions. One in four has a transition plan. There is an urgent need for a transition plan for the phasing-in and development of climate requirements for the construction industry. This must be made relevant and specified in concrete terms for different types of target groups. This will enable all stakeholders, from politicians to suppliers, to understand the schedule, the window of opportunity and the consequences of current and planned measures.
We need a national roadmap
In concrete terms, we need a national roadmap for energy use and emissions from the Norwegian building stock through to 2030 and 2050. It must be possible to revise reporting and emission requirements on a regular basis. Over time, limit values should be gradually tightened and reporting requirements made more stringent, in line with the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
We urge greater use of GHG accounting from the early planning phase to finished building. There is no way of avoiding requirements here. For example, environmental performance is afforded a weighting of 30 percent in public procurements. In line with the new European taxonomy, future investment decisions must also be based on climate performance.
Absolute requirements concerning the preparation of GHG accounts must be followed up with policies that afford importance to the work. Preferably well in advance of 2030.
The social sciences must also be on board
A key challenge in the future will be to set science-based limits that are achievable, sufficiently ambitious to meet climate targets, and fair across the population. In this regard, the social sciences must be on board in order to explain what can be considered adequate services and how to avoid an uneven distribution of the burden.
Absolute requirements concerning the preparation of GHG accounts must be followed up with policies that afford importance to the work. Preferably well in advance of 2030. GHG accounting for buildings is an excellent tool for achieving the climate targets adopted by politicians.
