Transforming the construction sector – How can we build nothing new?

In 5 interviews with capacities from within and around the building sector we explore how we can break the barriers towards sustainable and climate-friendly architecture and construction.

The construction sector is one of the biggest global greenhouse gas emitters, with our built environment responsible for 40% of global carbon emissions. As we strive for a global transition to net-zero, it is imperative that the industry drastically reduces the carbon footprint of new construction, infrastructure, and buildings. At the same time, the sector must meet the increasing demand for homes, a demand projected to grow by 42% by 2030. This dual challenge adds an urgent dimension to the necessity to minimize adding new material to the building mass and optimizing the use of our existing buildings. And the time is now!

Nevertheless, we are seeing growth in demolishing property only to build new. The absurd thing is that the industry itself knows this – and they want to change it – but they lack the political incentives to create a level playing field and to allow for competition that centres around planetary boundaries rather than economic growth. The ask from experts around the sector is: Let's make it easier to make the right choice – and expensive to make the wrong one!

Drawing on experiences and lessons from the Nordic countries, five experts each offer their view on how we, as a global community, can transition from words and knowledge to tangible actions tailored to the specific local conditions in which we operate:

• Signe Wenneberg, climate activist, speaker, author and journalist, Denmark.

• Louise Heebøll, architect MAA, founder and owner of Louise Heebøll ApS, founder of the association Del Hus and V!GØR.

• Peter Ullstad, architect, founder of Codesign, Sweden.

• Pasi Aalto, Centre Director NTNU Wood, Department of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

• Anna Denell, Chief Sustainability Officer, Vasakronan, Chairwoman of “Håll Nollan” (Zero Accidents in the Construction Industry), advisory board member of Mistra Carbon Exit, LFM30 and Fria Byggakademien.