“It is important to identify means that steer developers towards low-carbon or even carbon-neutral construction before plans are finalised.”

The matter is urgent in all municipalities. “Promoting low carbon emissions in construction is a national objective, for which the Ministry of the Environment will issue regulations by 2025,” Nöjd says.

Attention to construction materials and the energy system

The carbon footprint survey involved taking emissions generated throughout the building’s entire lifecycle into consideration. “For example, we examined opportunities to use various structural and building service solutions in low-carbon construction and surveyed the differences between concrete, wood and hybrid frames,” Nöjd comments.

The most important thing in terms of the carbon footprint is to select construction products whose manufacture causes the lowest emissions. Equally important are the building’s energy efficiency and the use of local renewable energy.

“The location of the sports hall is excellent in terms of energy recycling,” says energy expert Timo Heikkilä from Sweco. “A significant portion of the sports hall’s heating energy can be covered with heat recovered from the refrigerating equipment of the adjacent ice hall.”

The use of wood increases the carbon handprint

With a suitable structure system and solar panels, carbon emission can be reduced by up to 30%. However, full carbon neutrality also requires increasing the carbon handprint.

“For example, during their growth, trees sequester carbon from the atmosphere, storing it in wood-based products,” Nöjd explains. “Therefore, the most important thing after decreasing the carbon footprint is increasing the carbon handprint.”

Local sourcing is an important way to reduce overall emissions, which is why the City of Imatra began having dialogue with local businesses during the survey phase.

“The closer the products are manufactured, the smaller the emissions from their transportation,” Nurmi says. “We want to set an example in construction projects while also supporting the growth of local industry.”

The path to carbon neutrality already exists

Nöjd was pleasantly surprised to find out that there already are low-carbon frame solutions available on the market that facilitate the construction of spacious facilities suitable for a sports hall. “Even though the construction industry has only begun to practise carbon footprint calculation, paths to carbon neutrality already exist.”

The results of the survey are available for everyone to utilise. “Sharing information is par for the course in innovative projects, and we are honoured if we can help others. It is important to spread the word to help the entire nation advance,” Nurmi emphasises.

He is happy with the illustrative gauges presented in the survey, as they support decision-making and design management as the hall project progresses. “I was surprised by how agile the large design agency was in terms of solving problems in the spirit of a start-up. Instead of accepting tried-and-true bulk solutions, Sweco’s experts practised everyday innovativeness!”

The Board of the City of Imatra was impressed with the first phase of the project and decided to launch the project planning phase for the sports hall. “We have applied for further funding from the Ministry of the Environment for developing the carbon neutrality and user concept further.”