We systematically promote the government’s carbon neutrality goals in construction project management

The goal to lower emissions in construction was included in Senate’s strategy. In 2021, we were the first large property owner to set carbon reduction targets in numbers for construction project management: a minimum carbon footprint reduction of 25% in newbuild construction projects of more than €2 million and a minimum carbon footprint reduction of 15% in renovation projects during the strategy period 2022-2025. 

In line with this goal, Senate is also committed to zero-emission construction site, sustainable demolition and construction plastics agreements, so-called green deal agreements. 

Already in the project planning stage, we set goals for high energy efficiency, renewable energy production, recycled energy solutions, high material efficiency and the circular economy at construction sites. The material for Senate Group’s planning guidance and contract tender requests have been updated to reflect these goals. Finnish RTS environmental classification is used as a guidance tool in projects.  

Low-carbon or carbon-negative materials also play a major role 

Wood has played a much lesser role than concrete or steel in industrial-scale construction production. 

Our aim is to raise wood alongside these as a building material that deserves consideration and which should be taken into account already at the project planning stage when exploring alternative materials. 

The Group’s newbuild projects, which account for more than 30% of construction projects, are mostly high security construction for the police, Prison and Probation Service of Finland and the Finnish Defence Forces, which greatly determines the choice of building materials. Despite this, in the 2000s, Senate built the Finland’s first multi-storey wooden office building in Joensuu, a transportable cell block at Pelso Prison, and most recently the Finnish-Russian School of Helsinki, which is one of the largest wooden schools in Finland and was completed last year. Reform schools are also built of wood and the next school to get underway is the Lagmansgården reform school in Pedersöre. 

Increasing the carbon handprint 

The Group will next look at the carbon handprint, or increasing the carbon sequestration capacity of sites managed by Senate. We will initially promote this by developing biodiversity through simple practical measures. These means include the removal of harmful alien species, meadowing grass areas, afforestation, the considered use of pesticides and the right timing of management measures.  

Measures to reduce the carbon footprint and increase the carbon handprint are constantly being developed based on experience. Senate seeks to be the overall economic leader in responsibility in the sector and to share its experiences for wider use and evaluation in the sector.  

Jonni Laitto 

Director, Construction Management