New tool focuses on construction site carbon footprint
June 3, 2026
The climate requirements set out in the Building Regulations mean that construction sites must now also comply with limit values for CO₂ emissions generated during the construction process itself. However, it is not only materials and machinery that matter. Everyday habits and practices on site also play a role. That is why Nordstern is now introducing a new tool at the Viby Bakke urban development project near Aarhus.
The new tool consists of a series of CO₂-awareness posters designed to make it clearer which activities contribute to the project's carbon footprint during the construction phase – from engine idling and heating consumption to waste segregation and the use of electric tools.
From 1 July 2025, new climate requirements were introduced into the Building Regulations, meaning that CO₂ emissions from the construction process itself must now be documented separately. For new-build projects, a limit value of 1.5 kg CO₂e/m²/year applies to emissions generated during the construction phase.
At Viby Bakke, Nordstern is developing a new urban district comprising several different building types. One of the projects is a new 7,000 m² residential development. The scale of the project makes it an ideal opportunity to actively promote carbon-conscious behavior and reduce emissions during the construction phase.
“We have found that many tradespeople are unaware of how their day-to-day activities on site contribute to CO₂ emissions. The posters are designed to raise awareness and provide colleagues with a concrete basis for discussion,” says Nordstern’s Head of Sustainability, Henriette Menå Grud.
According to Henriette Menå Grud, the aim is to make employees more aware of the many small actions in their day-to-day work that collectively influence the project's carbon footprint.
“Many people may not realise that even small actions, such as disposing of an empty drink can in the right place, can make a difference. If waste from the site cabins ends up in the construction waste stream, it affects the project's carbon footprint calculations, because waste from the site cabins is not included in the carbon accounting - especially if it has not been sorted correctly,” says Sustainability Manager Henriette Menå Grud.
Promising pilot test of the tool
According to Henriette Menå Grud, the aim is to increase awareness of how everyday activities on a construction site contribute to its carbon footprint.
“We need to move away from the mindset that small actions do not make a difference. Behaviour on the construction site plays a crucial role in the carbon footprint of the construction process,” she says. “We all need to contribute to ensuring that the project stays within the required limits and can obtain its final commissioning approval.”
The tool has already been tested on another residential development in Jutland, where the posters quickly generated discussion among site workers about their day-to-day practices.
“The posters are not a solution in themselves. They are a supplementary tool designed to start conversations on site,” says Henriette Menå Grud.
For more information (press)
