Summary

Policy and regulatory barriers

• Regulatory gaps and political inaction – the lack of strong, unified regulations that mandate the reporting and reduction of emissions on construction sites and slow political responses have delayed progress towards achieving emission-free construction.
• Unconducive standards and building codes – regulation that hinders development towards achieving emission-free construction sites.

Financial barriers

• Higher initial cost – emission-free construction methods are still more expensive than traditional methods, and projects may take longer due to technological constraints.
• Project duration – new technologies result in projects taking longer and costing more.
• Waste reduction – although reducing waste can lower costs, there may be upfront expenses associated with waste management techniques.
• Finance – financiers need to prioritise environmental performance over financial gains and provide access to financing for low-emissions projects and equipment.
• Risk – innovation, such as the implementation of emission reductions in any form, is inherently risky.
• Procurement – stakeholders have pointed out that systems for awarding contracts based on low emissions must not be tailored to one technology, such as battery electric machinery, since that could hinder development beyond what is currently available.

Technological barriers

• Limitations of biofuels – HVO and biodiesel are only sustainable alternatives when the raw material is waste, such as used cooking oil or waste animal fat.
• Availability of machinery and equipment – availability is one of the barriers most often mentioned in discussions with stakeholders.
• Uncertainty about performance and development – the construction industry rarely allows experimentation, as unfamiliar technology can lead to unforeseen issues, increasing costs and delays.
• Charging bottlenecks – construction in new areas can be delayed due to the development of grid infrastructure, while in older urban areas the electric grid may already be at full capacity.
• Hydrogen infrastructure – although hydrogen is produced in most of the Nordic countries, there is very limited distribution infrastructure for customers in transport and construction.
• Waste infrastructure – many construction sites lack proper storage, leaving materials exposed and vulnerable to damage.

Systemic barriers

• Speed and timeline constraints – time constraints in projects discourage the adoption of new methods, with short-term costs being prioritised over long-term sustainability benefits.
• Process complexity and integration issues – the involvement of multiple contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and requirements makes implementing project-wide changes difficult, emphasising the need for collaboration.
• Lack of data and measurement challenges – reliable data is essential for achieving emissions-reduction targets, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.
• Lack of knowledge and resistance to change – many remain unaware of the impact of construction site emissions and the available ways to reduce them.
• Current economic structure – although renovating and reusing buildings reduces emissions by avoiding demolition and new construction, economic models often favour new builds.