Introduction

The report includes a study on how environmental certification tools are used to reduce the climate impact in the construction sector. In 2020, the Swedish construction sector accounted for approximately 21 percent of Sweden´s greenhouse gas emissions. Sweden´s climate goals consist of achieving net zero by the year 2045.

The aim of the study was to investigate the view of environmental certification tools. Does the environmental certification motivate to build more sustainably. The study investigated what the work with environmental certifications looks like today. Investigations into environmentally certified building projects are sufficient measures for the industry to reduce emissions and whether the environmental certification process can be simplified.

Method

The method used was survey and the data collection technique in this study was research interviews. The respondents were people that are working within the construction sector. The interviews were semi structured with set questions and open answers.

Results

The result from the collected data showed a broad view of environmental certification. The major obstacles described are cost and time for an environmental certification. The use of environmental certification to achieve the climate goals can be used as a tool but is not sufficient. To reach the climate goals and build more sustainable, changes need to come in the form off laws and regulations.

Analysis 

The environmental certifications contribute to more sustainable construction by working with them as a tool. To be able to certify the environment, it is important that the customer wants to be certified. The environmental certifications need to develop at the same pace as the outside world to be relevant to use. The flexibility to design a building needs to be there to motivate the workers to use the environmental certifications. A motivational factor can be beneficial for workers to want to work with the environmental certifications. To build more sustainably, stricter laws and regulations are required.

Discussion 

Environmental certifications are used more and more, but do not motivate everyone in the construction sector to build more sustainably. There are several challenges that need to be addressed to simplify the environmental certification process and to build more sustainably and reach the climate goals.

Keywords

Climate agreement, Construction sector, Emissions, Environmental certification, Sustainable construction