Better climate data for civil engineering projects

The project From fragmented data to better climate management aims to make it easier for the construction sector to collect and use climate data from its value chains. In collaboration with contractors, subcontractors and experts, the project will develop practical approaches for setting requirements for and monitoring value chain emissions in construction projects.

A large share of the construction sector’s climate impact originates from suppliers and subcontractors. These indirect emissions are difficult to measure because the data is held by many different stakeholders. Established approaches are currently available for purchased goods and services, while other categories of indirect emissions lack an equivalent structure.

The project uses excavated material management as a pilot area. This is a carbon-intensive flow involving transport, construction work and waste. The project will first identify the data requirements set out in regulations, standards and the industry’s own governing documents. The requirements will then be tested in ongoing and completed civil engineering projects in which Peab is the design-and-build contractor and ABT Bolagen is responsible for excavated material management. The results will subsequently be validated in workshops with industry stakeholders.

The project will produce guidance outlining the data points required, the allocation of responsibilities and how the data can be monitored as part of project management and reporting. The guidance will be published as an SBUF report and disseminated through Klimatarena Stockholm, SBUF and Sustainable Innovation’s networks. Better data enables more targeted climate management and, in turn, faster emission reductions in a sector that accounts for a significant share of Sweden’s climate impact.

IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute is leading the work in close collaboration with Peab, ABT Bolagen and Sustainable Innovation. IVL is responsible for methodology development, analysis and the final report.

Elin Nilsson from IVL is the project manager, and Embla Winge from Peab is the deputy project manager. The team also includes Jonas Alterteg and Johan Hultén from ABT Bolagen, as well as Stina Rudert from Sustainable Innovation.