A circular construction sector is one in which every part of the process of deciding, designing, and constructing new buildings is rethought to include exploiting the value of the materials already present in the built environment and ensure that the buildings designed and built today can maintain their value in the future, either as buildings, or in their constituent components.
1.1. Circular construction in the Nordic region
Adopting circular construction principles offers significant advantages, helping to limit the input of virgin materials required and greenhouse gas emissions generated, both now and in the future.
The construction sector accounts for a substantial portion of raw material use and waste generation in the Nordic countries. Throughout its entire value chain – from extraction, manufacturing, transport, and construction to end-of-life – the construction sector is responsible for half of all raw material extraction, 40 percent of energy use, and 35 percent of CO2 emissions (One Planet Network, 2020). Approximately 45 percent of total waste generation in the Nordic region comes from construction and demolition activities (Eurostat, 2023).
As the energy efficiency of new buildings has improved in recent years, minimising emissions during the use-phase of a building's life cycle, the greenhouse gas emissions embodied in construction materials have become increasingly relevant. A circular transformation offers a pathway to lower additional carbon emissions and resource use within the sector while limiting the negative environmental impact of construction and demolition waste.
1.2. Approaches to circular construction
Traditionally, the circular economy in construction was synonymous with the management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Although much of the C&D waste in the Nordic countries is categorised as "recycled," this often includes low-value uses such as backfilling or use in landscaping and civil engineering works. There is now a growing desire to enhance the value extracted from these materials, aiming for minimal waste generation and high-value reuse when waste does occur.
Current policies promote circular construction through several specific actions: pre-demolition audits, encouragement of reuse, life cycle analyses of buildings, design for disassembly and reusability, and the utilisation of waste in new construction. Despite these initiatives, the construction industry has largely operated on a linear model, with activities like renovation, repair, and maintenance not fully embracing circular principles. Additionally, waste prevention has recently focused on the role of contractors and builders in managing waste on-site and avoiding over-procurement of materials. Economic incentives and tight construction deadlines often lead to the procurement of excess materials as a buffer against potential delays, highlighting the need for a shift in industry practices to truly embrace circular construction methodologies.
The Nordic countries are renowned for successful societal transformations that have improved the quality of life for their citizens, and the built environment has reflected these transformations. However, as we have entered an era of multiple crises, our perception of the built environment must once again be transformed, requiring a cultural shift. The built environment is a physical manifestation of the values and collective identity of the Nordic people. Yet, contemporary construction practices do not always reflect the values of openness, collaboration, welfare for all, and connection to nature that the region is known for.
The transition to circular construction practices presents a unique opportunity for the Nordic countries to reconsider and align their approach to the built environment with their collective identity and values. By embracing circular principles, the Nordic construction sector can lead the way in minimising environmental impacts, promoting sustainability, and fostering a built environment that truly reflects the aspirations of the Nordic societies.