Skellefteå's journey towards sustainable construction projects

The construction sector accounts for around 20% of Sweden's carbon emissions. The climate impact of the construction sector comes mainly from the products and materials used in the projects. Concrete, steel, asphalt, fuel and mass handling are the main sources of climate impact in this sector.
The construction sector is also the single largest category in terms of Skellefteå municipality's climate emissions, accounting for almost 40 percent.

Monitoring and reducing climate emissions from construction projects is important for several reasons. Firstly, reducing greenhouse gas emissions helps protect the environment and mitigate climate change, which is crucial for preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. In addition, the use of materials and methods with a lower climate impact promotes more sustainable development, meaning we can build infrastructure that is both environmentally friendly and sustainable in the long term. Economic benefits are also an important aspect, where more efficient use of resources and reuse of materials can lead to cost savings.

Locally and regionally, it strengthens Skellefteå's role as an engine in the green transition. It contributes to raising skills and creating a common vision of development in the construction industry. Internationally, Skellefteå is profiled as a pioneer in sustainable construction projects.

Monitoring and reducing climate emissions from construction projects provides several tangible results and benefits in both the short and long term. In the short term, reducing greenhouse gas emissions helps to protect the environment and promote more sustainable development. By using materials and methods with a lower climate impact, projects can become more environmentally friendly from the start. In addition, a more efficient use of resources and the reuse of materials leads to economic benefits, such as cost savings.

Sustainable development is ensured over time through a continuous exchange of knowledge and experience between actors in the sector. Sharing insights and lessons learned moves the ladder forward, contributing to innovation and improvements. The municipality plays an important role in this work by using procurement as a strategic tool to drive development in the desired direction. By setting requirements that promote sustainability, while creating incentives for improvement, the industry moves step by step towards long-term goals. This builds a common understanding and a sense of responsibility that makes sustainability not just a one-off effort, but an integral part of societal development.

To achieve this, broad collaboration is required between clients, consultants, contractors and suppliers of materials and machinery.

The work links to several policy areas and to several of the strategies.

The initiative is primarily aimed at industry players, other municipalities and decision-makers. Then to residents of Skellefteå, young people who are the community builders of the future and national and international visitors during SE26.

Implementing our construction projects in a sustainable way makes the vision concrete. We build climate-smart, safe and inclusive, and we engage both residents and stakeholders in a common transition. This strengthens Skellefteå's attractiveness and contributes to the goal of 90,000 inhabitants by 2030.