The European Green Capital Lahti is seeking solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of construction in both new and old buildings.
The Lahti-based Development Centre for Carbon Neutral Construction is publishing a practical guide aimed at builders of detached houses on 30 September. The guide will clarify the concepts and facts of climate-friendly construction and introduce ways in which private home builders can influence the carbon footprint of their house.
“We are not aware of any other practical guides like this. Low carbon guidance has so far been at the level of research and preparation of roadmaps. Because Lahti’s carbon neutrality targets are so ambitious, we have had to take the lead in this. We are prepared to update the guide as new information comes in”, says Project Director Juhani Pirinen from the Development Centre for Carbon Neutral Construction.
More than half of Finns live in detached houses
According to the new guide, reducing your carbon footprint is not expensive or difficult. Reducing a building’s carbon footprint can also reduce the cost of living. In addition, the building can act as a carbon sink more efficiently, i.e. the amount of carbon stored in it can be increased.
“More than half of Finns live in detached houses, so the guide can influence a significant number of decision-makers in their everyday lives. The TopTen group of construction supervision divisions in large cities is providing opinions on the guide, which hopefully means that knowledge of the guide will spread throughout Finland”, Pirinen says.
Built environment accounts for one third of Finland’s greenhouse gas emissions, so the carbon footprint of construction plays a major role in mitigating climate change.
Reducing emissions from buildings needs to be looked at from many angles. In addition to energy use, emissions over the entire life cycle of a building, i.e. its manufacture, construction, use and demolition, must be considered.
Lahti aims for carbon neutrality by 2025
Lahti is the European Green Capital in 2021. Lahti’s goal is to become a carbon-neutral city already by 2025. Not only is it ten years ahead of the national target, but also an exceptionally ambitious goal internationally.
The Development Centre for Carbon Neutral Construction supports the realisation of the carbon neutrality target by reforming construction methods. In addition to the city, the Development Centre for Carbon Neutral Construction includes group companies, educational institutions in the area, and companies.
Further information
Project Director Juhani Pirinen, tel. +358 44 482 0808, juhani.pirinen@lahti.fi