About Nordic Sustainable Construction

Nordic Sustainable Construction is a programme under the Nordic Council of Ministers, which contributes to the Nordic Vision 2030 of becoming a sustainable and integrated region by 2030 in respect to sustainable construction and housing.

The story of Nordic Sustainable Construction

Timeline of the NSC programme
  • In 2018, The Nordic Council of Ministers decided to initiate work towards Nordic harmonisation of building regulations concerning climate emissions. Then in 2019, the Nordic Prime Ministers took it a step further by agreeing on making the Nordics the world’s most sustainable and integrated region before 2030. This was the beginning of Nordic Vision 2030
  • Based on this vision, the Nordic Ministers for Construction and Housing agreed on a declaration highlighting the importance of collaborating towards a sustainable Nordic construction and housing sector with circular economy and a minimised climate and environmental impact the same year. Therefore, they initiated the action plan “Nordic sustainable and competitive construction”, which is practically implemented through our programme – Nordic Sustainable Construction.
  • Since 2021, Nordic Sustainable Construction has worked to implement the Nordic Vision 2030 by supporting the Nordic countries in establishing the Nordics as a leading region in sustainable and competitive construction with minimised environmental and climate impact. In our work, dialogue, knowledge sharing, co-creation and an aligned Nordic path for sustainable construction are key elements, and we utilise workshops, research, regulatory work, capacity building and interaction with Nordic lawmakers and actors along the entire value chain of construction and housing to implement Vision 2030.
  • In September 2023, the Nordic Ministers of Housing and Construction were gathered in Iceland. Here they recommitted to a common Nordic effort on reducing climate impact from construction and housing through a new declaration.
    Read the Nordic Ministerial Declaration on Low Carbon Construction here
  • In 2024 we presented the results from the first programme phase in the Toolbox for Future Proof Construction and at our Nordic Sustainable Construction Symposium. We also gathered input from the industry, authorities and experts on what a new collaboration should focus on.
  • In May 2025 the Nordic Council of Ministers decided to fund a new Nordic Sustainable Construction collaboration programme from 2025-2037

Our organisation

The programme is organised into three work packages, who each works with a specific area of sustainable construction and a secretariat supporting the implementation and communication of the results. The work packages and secretariat are run by our programme partners:

  • Housing and Construction Authority Iceland (Húsnæðis- og mannvirkjastofnun)

  • Danish Authority of Social Services and Housing (Social- og Boligstyrelsen)

  • Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning (Boverket)

Infographic on the organisation of the Nordic Sustainable Construction Programme

Programme Implementation Group

The Programme Implementation Group consists of the three work package leaders, key contributors from the work packages and the secretariat. The tasks in the different work packages are very interlinked, hence regular exchange of knowledge, deep discussions and direct collaboration between the work packages is necessary and will happen through regular meetings. The meetings are online, and at least twice a year the group also meets physically in changing countries. The secretariat is responsible for the organisation and follow up of these meetings.

Group photo of the reference group from torshavn

The Nordic Harmonisation Steering Group For Construction Regulation

Furthermore, to ensure the continued Nordic collaboration on harmonising building regulations and a joint Nordic construction sector, the Nordic Ministers’ for Construction and Housing has mandated a The Nordic Harmonisation Steering Group For Construction Regulation, which also follows our programme. The group consists of high level representatives from all the Nordic countries and regions authorities and/or Ministries.

We always value input, questions and potentials for collaboration. So, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat at nordicsustainableconstruction@sbst.dk.

Toolbox for Future-Proof Construction

Together with work package leaders and key contributors from five work packages, this report compiles the most significant outputs from the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme's first phase. The result is a compact, coffee-table-style book that presents new insights into the world of climate- and resource friendly construction solutions in an accessible and engaging format.

Find "Toolbox for Future-Proof Construction" here