Michael Stevns
February 26, 2025
New Ramboll study for European Climate Foundation explores how to address embedded emissions in Nordic transport infrastructure
A new report, “Towards Low-Carbon Transport Infrastructure in the Nordics”, funded by the European Climate Foundation, reveals that while the Nordic region is a leader in sustainability, the emissions embedded in transport infrastructure remain largely overlooked and recommends a series of actions to address them.
On a chilly morning in Sweden, construction crews prepare to break ground on a new stretch of railway designed to improve connectivity between Stockholm and Gothenburg. But unlike traditional projects, this one comes with a radical twist.
Every type of material used in the construction, from the low-carbon cement in the foundations to the recycled steel in the tracks, has been selected to minimise the carbon footprint of the project. It is a glimpse into the future of transport infrastructure—one where climate considerations are embedded not just in vehicle emissions, but also in the concrete and steel that shape our roads and railways.
One of the main findings of the new report, Towards Low-Carbon Transport Infrastructure in the Nordics, is that embodied carbon derived from material production, construction, maintenance, and reinvestment of infrastructure assets does not receive sufficient attention. For decades, policymakers have instead been preoccupied with reducing operational emissions—those produced by powering vehicles.
Operational emissions have been the focus for years, yet addressing the carbon footprint of materials and construction is just as crucial for achieving climate targets. By comparing Nordic approaches, we aim to support more effective policies and industry practices that drive real decarbonisation.
In Sweden alone, embodied emissions accounted for 10% of total road and rail transport emissions in 2022. As Nordic countries push towards carbon neutrality, ignoring this substantial footprint would be a critical oversight.
The report highlights several pathways to slash embodied carbon. Life Cycle Assessments (LCA’s) and carbon pricing mechanisms can help decision-makers choose lower-carbon alternatives during project planning. Public procurement, too, is a powerful lever. Nordic infrastructure bodies have begun integrating carbon performance benchmarks into procurement, encouraging suppliers to develop greener materials. Yet these efforts remain piecemeal, and the report argues that a broader, harmonised approach is needed.
The report recommends establishing clear embodied carbon targets and integrating carbon assessments across all project phases. It calls for embedding embodied carbon criteria into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and public procurement (GPP), requiring project approvals to consider full life-cycle emissions and ensuring tenders favour low-carbon materials through Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Standardised benchmarking of materials such as concrete and steel is also proposed to drive sector-wide carbon reductions.
While some Nordic nations have begun to set ambitious infrastructure emissions targets, progress remains fragmented. Sweden leads the way, with a national commitment to climate-neutral infrastructure by 2040.
In contrast, Finland and Iceland have yet to introduce specific goals, and Denmark’s policies are more advanced for rail than road projects. Even where targets exist, monitoring remains inconsistent, with data often collected at the project level but rarely aggregated for sector-wide analysis.
However, collaboration across the region has helped move the agenda forward. Since 2017, the Nordic road authorities have led a collaborative project focused on harmonising approaches to LCAs and reducing embodied carbon in transport infrastructure. Through knowledge-sharing and joint research, they have developed common methodologies, assessment tools, and procurement strategies to support sustainable infrastructure development.
There is no silver bullet for addressing embodied carbon in transport infrastructure. Instead, we need a multifaceted approach that fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and continuous knowledge sharing across project phases. As infrastructure projects grow more complex, creating a culture of shared knowledge is crucial to driving meaningful carbon reductions.
Beyond knowledge-sharing, standardised sustainability processes are needed to ensure resources are focused on high-impact areas. “Developing a standard process for sustainability integration isn’t just about setting targets — it’s about identifying and eliminating wasteful activities while reallocating resources to sustainability efforts that truly make a difference,” Dettenborn adds.
The Nordic region is well positioned to lead this charge. With a legacy of environmental leadership and a willingness to invest in innovation, it could set the benchmark for infrastructure decarbonisation worldwide. But as the report makes clear, time is of the essence. Transforming roads and railways into climate-friendly assets requires urgent action—before the very foundations of our transport networks become obstacles on the road to net zero.
Want to know more?
Xavier Le Den
Market Director SSC BE
+32 497 89 83 58
Taavi Dettenborn
Expert
+358 50 3275949
Christopher Marton
Consultant