5. Conclusions

This study has investigated the alignment of selected Nordic municipalities’ strategies and methods for municipal construction projects regarding eight proposed indicators for circular construction. It has addressed the overall question: How are the recommended indicators being implemented as part of public procurement for construction projects at the municipal level?

In conclusion, all the indicators are relevant across municipalities to varying extents. They are generally in line with ambitious local strategies for sustainable and circular construction and climate targets defined at national and local levels. The following provides concluding remarks concerning each of the indicators comprised by this study, which are divided into indicators of relevance for the planning and construction phases. This includes considerations concerning the potential for Nordic cooperation.

The utilisation rate of the existing building stock is relevant for all municipalities because of their strategic focus on preserving existing buildings through renovation instead of demolition and new construction. Some municipalities have methods to maintain an overview of the municipally owned building stock. However, none of the municipalities have an overview of the utilisation of the total building stock when identifying buildings/​sites to meet the municipalities’ need for buildings.

Total renovations vs. demolition and new buildings refers to the potential to renovate a building rather than demolish and construct a new building. Often, the latter option has higher costs. Factors of time, state, and building function are still considered in each case. However, in addition to price, a strategic shift has occurred to factor in environmental sustainability and carbon footprint when deciding whether to renovate.

There is a general interest in developing methods to monitor the utilisation rate locally and using it to discuss the potential for renovating existing buildings to meet the municipalities' needs. The exchange of good practices between municipalities and/or the development at the Nordic level of methods to support monitoring the utilisation rate are examples of initiatives to support this development.

In Finland, a national Green Deal Strategy to be launched in the autumn of 2024 comprises an indicator for the local utilisation rate. This initiative can serve as a point of departure for Nordic cooperation in introducing the utilisation rate of the existing building stock as a common Nordic indicator.

Number of certified building projects refers to the use of certification schemes in municipal construction projects. Certification schemes are used strategically by four of the five municipalities comprised by this study. The schemes are used as a tool for municipalities to demonstrate leadership and push the development of the construction industry towards more sustainable and circular construction. It provides the municipality's safety that construction projects follow regulations and meet high standards. The study has demonstrated that certification systems influence the implementation of the remaining indicators and that this approach is used especially for large construction projects.

The share of EPDs with circular properties is a challenging indicator for circularity assessment. Today, it is primarily used by the construction industry and municipalities as an indicator of carbon footprint. Except for two municipalities requiring EPDs for all construction projects to conduct LCA analysis at the building level, EPDs are mainly used as part of certified construction projects.

The number of EU Taxonomy-aligned buildings is generally not a priority, except for one municipality that has started reporting procedures. Still, the remaining municipalities address the issue through the projects that are being certified as the schemes continually incorporate new regulations into their frameworks.

Construction and demolition waste management is a highly regulated area. Strict waste sorting and handling requirements are also part of certification schemes. Despite the degree of regulation and the focus on waste management as part of certification schemes, most municipalities highlight challenges to monitor and ensure that construction and demolition waste is managed correctly on site.

Recycling rates are closely linked to waste management. Municipalities are testing ways to increase reuse and recycling, e.g., through development projects where municipal construction projects are used to test methods. This involves developing requirements for specific materials to preserve for recycling in connection with demolition and supporting mechanisms to secure the supply of reused construction materials.

Carbon footprint in the construction sector. For the municipalities, the indicator refers to calculating carbon footprint at the level of buildings. Municipalities have experienced challenges using a method that ensures that building LCA calculations are harmonised across construction projects. For most municipalities today, LCAs are mainly carried out for large construction projects as part of their certification. However, work is underway to develop methods for LCA calculations at the level of buildings across the municipalities for all projects.

Most municipalities experience challenges implementing construction and demolition waste management, recycling, and reuse. Both are influenced by national regulations, which can differ. However, municipalities can benefit from sharing good practices and/or participating in common development projects and the development of common guidelines.

At the national level, sharing practices for solving the challenges of matching supply and demand for reused construction materials can be beneficial, e.g., potential solutions such as the public co-financing of marketplaces to promote the reuse of construction materials.

For example this Finnish initiative: https://www.materiaalitori.fi/tietoa-palvelusta#kuka