The History of Nordic Sustainable Construction

In 2018, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided to initiate work towards Nordic harmonisation of building regulations concerning climate emissions. 

In 2019, the Nordic Prime Ministers took it a step further by agreeing to make the Nordics the world’s most sustainable and integrated region before 2030. This was the beginning of Nordic Vision 2030.

Based on this vision, the Nordic Ministers for Construction and Housing agreed on a declaration highlighting the importance of collaborating towards a sustainable Nordic construction and housing sector with a circular economy and a minimised climate and environmental impact the same year. Therefore, they initiated the action plan “Nordic Sustainable and Competitive Construction”, which is practically implemented through the programme – Nordic Sustainable Construction.

Picture from the first physical reference group meeting in March 2022

Since 2021, Nordic Sustainable Construction has worked to implement the Nordic Vision 2030 by supporting the Nordic countries in establishing the Nordics as a leading region in sustainable and competitive construction with minimised environmental and climate impact. Dialogue, knowledge sharing, co-creation and an aligned Nordic path for sustainable construction are key elements, and the programme utilises workshops, research, regulatory work, capacity building and interaction with Nordic lawmakers and actors along the entire value chain of construction and housing to implement Vision 2030.

In September 2023, the Nordic Ministers of Housing and Construction gathered in Iceland. Here they recommitted to a common Nordic effort to reduce climate impact from construction and housing through a new declaration.

Group photo from the meeting with the Nordic Ministers of Housing and Construction, Reykjavik, Iceland 2023

In August 2024, the Nordic Ministers of Housing and Construction gathered in Gothenburg and expressed their support for a continued Nordic Sustainable Construction Programme from 2025–2027.

Group photo of the Nordic Ministers of Housing and Construction from the meeting in Gothenburg, 2024

A lot has happened since 2021. The work packages have been formed and grown to each represent special interests, topics and working methods. The knowledge foundation has grown as well, informing decision-making on climate demands, limit values and how to utilise the existing building stock. New ideas have been planted and shared, growing into new solutions, improved methods/approaches and fruitful collaborations.