In the Green Transition Denmark, we work purposefully to promote a circular and low-emission construction sector. The construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to CO2 emissions and resource consumption, and a rapid transition is crucial to achieving both Denmark's and the EU's climate goals.

Buildings account for 36 per cent. of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions, and a third of these originate from embedded CO2 – i.e. emissions from the production of building materials and the actual construction of buildings. At the same time, construction uses 50 per cent. of the EU's materials and accounts for over 35 per cent. of all waste production.

For many years, the focus has primarily been on reducing buildings' operational CO2 emissions through energy optimization. But it is high time to direct attention to raw materials, circularity and the embedded CO2.

With this project, we investigate which political initiatives can drive the construction sector in a more circular and resource-efficient direction. We work for ambitious legislation in both the EU and the member states that can reduce resource consumption and minimize CO2 emissions from construction.

Project period: 2022-2025

Financing: The project is supported by the European Climate Foundation