IMPLEMENTATION OF LOW-CARBON IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS

EU-level emission targets, national targets, the 2025 building law reform, the EU taxonomy... Environmental and climate change mitigation are increasingly playing a larger role in the construction industry and require action from the people in construction industry. Environmental responsibility and the growing importance of low-carbon construction will change and develop the entire industry. With procurement's impact reaching up to 80% of construction companies' turnover, it is clear that procurement will also influence the advancement of low-carbon construction.

In low-carbon construction, the entire life cycle carbon footprint of a building is considered, meaning not only its use and energy consumption but also the production of building materials, construction, and demolition. The production of building materials, construction site activities, and transportation account for about 50% of a building's emissions over its 50-year review period.

"The production of construction materials, site operations, and transportation account for about 50% of a building's emissions over its 50-year assessment period."

A constantly evolving industry also requires evolving processes – a new way of doing things. Kospro is conducting a study funded by Business Finland on the implementation of low-carbon practices in procurement processes, and our project is part of the #KIRAilmasto low-carbon built environment program.

The aim of our research is to create and develop a procurement process in new construction that, when followed, could reduce emissions during the construction phase. We focus on the three major emission-producing building components: concrete construction and elements, building technology, and wood-aluminum windows.

So, how should the procurement process be defined? Where are its boundaries? The collaboration and interaction between design, calculation, and procurement are becoming increasingly central to identifying and successfully implementing low-carbon solutions. Are the necessary information and understanding being transferred from one phase to the next? Do the different phases' implementers have the required information, understanding, and common goals to promote low-carbon solutions?

Creating a finished building requires the involvement of many parties. Defining the "recipe" for this mix of expertise is crucial for success. We believe this is also a key part of developing the procurement process – it is essential to consider the perspectives of various stakeholders. We aim to understand how different industry actors incorporate low-carbon requirements and goals into their processes and strategies. How are emission reduction measures taken into account, and what objectives, challenges, and opportunities does procurement see in promoting low-carbon construction?

Feel free to get in touch if you want to be at the forefront of development!

Nina Kaukoranta

Director of Procurement Development

nina.kaukoranta@kospro.fi

+358 50 382 7119