How public spending in Oslo is driving zero-emissions building sites

In Oslo, building sites are undergoing a green transformation, as local authorities use public procurement to decarbonise Norway's construction industry.

The Klosterenga Park construction site is one such project funded by public spending. Here, teams are working to restore a long-buried stream, to offset potential floods and make the park more attractive. But the smelly fumes and noise pollution of diesel engines have been replaced by electric construction machines - making it a zero-greenhouse gas emission construction site.

“All the equipment used on this site is electrical. So that means zero emissions from this construction site at all,” explained Synnøve Bjerkestrand Halle, Project Manager at Oslo Municipality's Water and Sewerage Agency.

“We have two kindergartens next to the construction site [...] the kids are sleeping outside so it has to be quiet, but at this project we have been working during the sleeping hour because we have the electrical diggers and there have been zero complaints about noise from the two kindergartens, that’s 200 children who go there every day,” she added.

Worldwide, the construction industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Oslo wants all municipal construction sites to be zero emissions by 2025. 

"All our building and construction sites in Oslo, all roads, bike lanes, schools in 2022, 37% of the energy use of these building and construction sites were emissions-free and the rest was more or less fossil free," said Marit Hepsø, a specialist in sustainable buildings and construction sites for the Oslo municipality.

In Europe, around 250,000 public authorities spend around €2 trillion a year on services such as transport, waste management, health and education - 14%