Focusing on transformation

Transformation is the theme of this issue of Wood Magazine, and regular readers will notice that the magazine has undergone a transformation of its own!

Transforming existing buildings is something that wood is particularly well-suited to. It is light, flexible and, not least, an excellent
choice from a climate perspective.

The green transition is another form of transformation and, even if the world’s attention is mainly focused on trade and security issues at present, it is important to maintain momentum. I therefore feel that it would be a mistake for the Swedish Government to delay the introduction of limit values for the climate impact of new buildings. With the industry already focused on reducing the climate impact of construction, it would be a shame to lose momentum now. It would be better to introduce limit values in two stages: firstly for current building works, and then for the entire lifecycle in line with the EU directive on the energy performance of buildings.

Furthermore, I see a risk that limit values that apply solely to a building’s lifecycle will miss the target. Of course, there is no shortage of policy instruments to regulate energy consumption during the operational phase, and if calculations are based on assumptions there is a risk that they will not correspond to actual outcomes. A limit value for the entire lifecycle therefore needs to be supplemented with a limit value for construction itself.

Good reading!

Anna Ryberg Ågren