Systematic knowledge dissemination for the climate transition - SKUNK

Research Project, 2023 – 2025

Within the framework of the research programme Mistra Carbon Exit (MCE), a detailed mapping of reduction potentials for greenhouse gas emissions in the construction and civil engineering sector has been carried out. The reduction scenarios developed within MCE should be able to be used to create a shared, broader, and deeper understanding of the developments in the sector that must take place in order to reach the goal of climate neutrality by 2045. This knowledge can be used to help address many of the challenges identified in Fossil Free Sweden’s follow-up.

Purpose, objectives, and impacts
* Broad and systematic dissemination of knowledge about possible reductions in climate emissions in the civil engineering sector at different points in time / stages of development.

* Building on, and linking together, previous studies within Mistra Carbon Exit and InfraSweden, with a focus on the development of detailed emission-reduction scenarios – a practically usable “climate action menu”.

* Adapting the knowledge to target groups and to the tools and resources they use in their daily work, such as AMA Anläggning and municipal technical manuals.

*Primary focus on civil engineering/infrastructure.

*The knowledge/information should be usable for procurement requirements and similar purposes without the need for specialised expertise.

Key results delivered by the project
In the case studies carried out within the SKUNK project, there was consensus that the climate transition scenarios for materials are relevant and can be directly used as a basis for formulating requirements in the procurement of civil engineering contracts. This can be done both within the framework of technical specifications according to AMA and in the technical and design manuals that municipalities have developed themselves and refer to in design assignments. A model for how this can be done was presented in the project.

Expected long-term effects
Participants in the case studies found the presented model for climate requirements to be both logical and practical, with the potential to streamline processes. They emphasised the importance of making use of existing guidelines, requirement levels, and frameworks, and of prioritising simplicity. With this support, time-consuming and resource-intensive efforts to define performance levels and design requirements for each individual project can be avoided.