The EU taxonomy and the construction sector
What are the consequences of the EU taxonomy when we build or renovate buildings? Do Nordic Swan Ecolabelled buildings meet the requirements of the taxonomy?
The taxonomy provides guidelines for the construction sector to reduce the burden on the climate and nature, become more circular and pollute less.
- Climate: Requirements that buildings must be able to document that they are highly energy efficient and adapted to the changes brought about by the climate crisis.
- Nature: The taxonomy addresses the nature crisis by, among other things, setting requirements for increased use of more sustainable, preferably renewable, materials.
- Circular economy: Requirements for design and construction practices that promote the reuse and recycling of materials. Reducing construction waste and longevising the building are also important areas in line with the EU overall goal of a sustainable and low-carbon future.
In short, the taxonomy requirements for new buildings are divided into two parts: Technical screening criteria for substantial contributions to the six environmental objectives and the requirement to do no significant harm to any of these objectives.
There is still quite a lot of uncertainty about how the taxonomy's criteria should be interpreted and documented. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is a tool for meeting the requirements of the taxonomy, but we cannot yet guarantee that a new building with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel meets the requirements of this regulation 100%. However, we follow the development of the regulations closely and revise the criteria regularly. We are now in the fourth generation of environmental requirements for new buildings with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
Our plan for implementing the taxonomy:
- Generation 4: Use the technical screening criteria for material contribution to climate change mitigation as mandatory requirements in all Nordic countries, where possible.
- Generation 4: Introduce relevant and reasonable criteria to avoid causing material harm and be clear about what is required to meet the requirement.
- Generation 5 (next generation criteria): Work to ensure that Nordic Swan Ecolabelled, new buildings can become a tool for documenting compliance with the EU taxonomy through a significant contribution to climate change mitigation.
The taxonomy's minimum social guarantees are not relevant to the Nordic Swan Ecolabel's requirements for new buildings.