Building the Future - A case study on creating a climate neutral construction sector in Malmö, Sweden

Abstract: The climate on our planet is changing, and with it the conditions for its people. As the need for housing grows, the construction sector will have to balance increasing environmental requirements with a continuous need for construction. In order to do so, Sweden has a national roadmap with set goals for climate neutrality. But the question of how to work toward the set up goals remain as there is no common methodology in place. This essay therefore aims to look at in which ways the Swedish construction sector is working towards climate neutrality and what obstacles lie in the way of this goal. Using mixed methods of document analysis and interviews, this study looks at the case of a local initiative and roadmap called LFM30. The study showed that LFM30 has produced a common methodology of climate budgeting from which connected members should work, and a climate promise with yearly goals on the way towards climate neutrality in 2030. Additionally the initiative has created a platform for sharing and exchanging knowledge surrounding questions related to sustainable construction. By dividing the construction process into six focus areas the initiative has enabled progress to be made on multiple fronts as well as collectively. Some challenges in the process is incentivizing members to join, for connected members to balance the role of their work in LFM30 with their other role of the connected actor, and how to actually become climate neutral. The initiative has built up an organization and methodology which is seen as plausible to introduce also in other places. Proving that change is possible, LFM30 could therefore be leading the way for the Swedish building sector on the way towards climate neutrality.