summary

The Low-Carbon Clinics report is part of the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme, which aims to support the Nordic region in becoming a leader in sustainable and competitive construction with minimal environmental and climate impact. This report specifically addresses work package 1, task 5.1, which focuses on knowledge sharing of carbon reduction initiatives for building projects in the Nordic countries and Estonia. The primary goal of the Low-Carbon Clinics project is to facilitate discussions and share best practices for decarbonisation in the construction industry. This is achieved through clinics hosted by local experts who guide decarbonisation strategies tailored to specific projects.

The clinics were designed to address real-life challenges and potential solutions associated with the decarbonisation agenda. The clinics were offered at no cost to the participating clients and involved preliminary discussions, in-person consultations, follow-up consultations and detailed reporting. The projects include a diverse array of building typologies and construction materials from various countries, ensuring a comprehensive approach to carbon reduction. 11 clinics were conducted by local experts from Sweco, EFLA and LCA Support and included:

Key findings from the clinics highlight the importance of adhering to climate budgets, continuous life cycle assessment (LCA) monitoring, hotspot analysis for early insights, flexible use of buildings, and the use of biobased materials and low-carbon solutions within traditional building materials. These findings provide valuable guidance for future low-carbon construction initiatives. Go to the chapter Key findings to read about this in detail.

Several challenges were also identified, including variability in LCA methodologies, material-related challenges and location-specific geological conditions. These challenges underscore the need for standardised procedures, systematic approaches to material reuse and careful consideration of local conditions in project planning and execution. Go to the chapter Key challenges to read about this in detail.

The report also includes a library of tools and industry knowledge to assist professionals in implementing low-carbon practices effectively. This library is structured according to the relevance of the building phase and provides a valuable resource for industry stakeholders.