SYSTEMATIC CLIMATE WORK AT SKANSKA
THE KEY TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
With an ambitious program for systematic climate work, Skanska continually strives to minimize its carbon footprint in everything it does. This includes conducting climate calculations and having a clear action plan for all projects over 10 million kroner. This is so high on the company’s agenda that it has been integrated as a core part of the overarching strategy to ensure sustainability in the construction and civil engineering sector.
"We can simply see which measures are most effective in reducing the climate impact—and what it costs to implement them."
CLIMATE CALCULATIONS AS A CORE COMPONENT
Elin Coleman is the Climate and Sustainability Manager at Skanska’s Road and Infrastructure division in Stockholm and works with this daily. 'At Skanska, we use Anavitor, which seamlessly integrates economic calculations with climate calculations. This tool allows estimators and project managers to evaluate both costs and climate impacts of different measures, enabling us to make informed decisions that balance financial and environmental considerations,' she explains. 'The climate calculations can serve as the basis for how we design projects and influence our choices of work methods or materials.'
'Thanks to the leadership's prioritization of climate work, we have been working systematically with climate accounting, and it’s now evident that mastering this is crucial to remaining relevant in the market—both now and in the future!' Jeanette Sveder Lundin, a Sustainability Specialist focusing on climate, has been involved in developing Skanska's climate efforts since 2008. 'The result is a more comprehensive understanding of project costs, where both economic and climate-related expenses become visible and measurable. We can simply see which measures are most effective in reducing the climate impact—and what it costs to implement them.'
INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION FOR THE FUTURE
Through Anavitor, Skanska has demonstrated that it is possible to drive innovation and development in the construction industry. By leveraging structured data and advanced tools, they have not only optimized their projects from both a climate and cost perspective but also contributed to industry development. This has given Skanska a competitive edge in facing the future's challenges and opportunities in sustainable construction.
The long-term commitment to climate and sustainability has also enabled them to meet increasing customer demands. Sveder Lundin emphasizes the importance of competing with smart and efficient climate-friendly solutions but stresses that access to the right information should be available to all players in the industry. This is crucial for addressing climate challenges as a collective effort.
Through participation in industry development projects and by influencing legislation and regulations, Skanska works to raise the knowledge level across the entire industry. They see this as a necessity to ensure that climate-friendly solutions become the norm, not the exception.
The integrated approach to climate calculations and economic assessments represents a significant step forward for sustainable construction. By combining economic insight with environmental awareness, and through collaboration with innovative partners like Nordic BIM Group, Skanska has positioned itself as a leader in the industry. Their work not only yields positive results for the company itself but also sets a standard for how the construction industry can address future climate challenges in a responsible and efficient manner.
