- Case studies
- Projects seeking partners
- Lessons learnt
- Best practice today
- Life-cycle costing made simple
- Sustainable refurbishment
A Framework for Sustainable Construction in Sweden
All political decisions must give due consideration to long-term economic, social and environmental consequences. The aim is to hand on to the next generation a society in which the major environmental problems have been solved. The building and property sector is responsible for a very high proportion of the environmental impact on society; it accounts for 40 per cent of total energy use and just over 40 per cent of use of materials, and a considerable share of waste, and accounts for about 20 per cent of Sweden's total emissions of carbon dioxide. Environmental improvements witin this sector will therefore have big impact, and they are important in the ongoing work towards achieving a sustainable society.
A vision has been formulated concerning "the green welfare state". The aim of this is to carry through the change and modernization of Sweden, using new technology, construction and an active energy and environmental policy, in such a way that it promotes sustainable development, new jobs, growth and welfare.
Sweden's energy policy must serve to promote efficient and sustainavle energy use and a cost-effective and secure energy supply, with a low impact on health, the environment and the climate. In international terms, Sweden uses a high proportion of renewable energy. In the long run the objectives are for the society to obtain all its energy from renewable sources.
Examples of governmental measures and activities in Sweden:
- The Swedish Parliament has adopted long-term environmental quality objectives in order to clarify the ecological dimension of sustainable development (www.miljomal.se). A good built environment is one of the objectives. Interim targets have been adopted concerning e.g. noise, waste, energy use in buildings and a good indoor air, the last named point focuses on radon and ventilation.
- Local investment programmes (1998-2002 approx. US dollar 806 million). Municipalities engaged on joint programmes with local companies and organizations could apply for grants for investments that increase ecological sustainability.
- Climate investment programmes (2002-2004 approx. US dollar 117 million). The aim of the programme is to put into practice the decision by the parliament to reduce the Swedish emission of greenhouse gases by four per cent over the period 2008-2012. (The Kyoto protocol permits Sweden to increase emission by four per cent).
- Funds for land decontamination, environmental research and intensified work on energy efficiency
- The building-codes have recently been changed with the purpose to reduce energy-use, get better indoor air and get more efficient use of materials, resources.
- A dialogue called Building, Living and Property Management for the Future (www.byggabodialogen.se) is a voluntary agreement between the government, some municipalities and a number of companies within the building and property sector. Three strategic topics are especially highlighted
- A healthy indoor environment
- The efficient use of energy
- The efficient use of resources - Training programmes within the Building-Living dialogue
- Energy-declarations for buildings concerning radon, ventilation and energy-use. The declarations must be available when a building is put into service, sold or rented - to provide information for the consumer, a potential tenant or the buyer of the building.
- The buildings owned by the government should be in the front line as good examples of sustainable buildings.
- On the initiative of the government, the building and property sector has formed a council to secure quality in the whole construction chain.
In order to coordinate work on sustainable development in the governments office, a special unit has been established.