Skip to content
In Norway’s capital, building projects are no longer the noisy, polluting affairs they once were thanks to a pioneering zero-emission construction policy.
As of January 2025, all contractors providing work to Oslo’s government have to use clean and quiet concrete trucks, excavators, and other machinery. The industry has had plenty of time to prepare for the shift: From 2019, the use of emission-free equipment wasn’t mandatory, but did give firms an edge over their competitors when bidding for work, as did the use of recycled or low-carbon materials.
In 2023, 77% of city-managed projects used zero-emission machinery, according to Oslo’s climate agency.
The policy hasn’t materially driven up construction costs, according to green procurement official Geir Rossebø. That’s because the total cost of owning and operating electric equipment is competitive — even if upfront costs remain higher for the time being.
And the building industry has been supportive of the transition, says Heidi Sørensen, director of the climate agency, which is tasked with helping the city reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2030, compared to 2009 levels.
The clean construction push has, however, required a fresh approach from the industry.
“First and foremost, it’s important to ensure the construction site has enough power,” says project manager Mathias Kolsaker. “Then, it’s crucial to establish the charging infrastructure early, so the electric machines have charging options from day one.”
Early planning and engagements with the grid company and charging infrastructure providers are key, Koslaker adds.
Lessons from Oslo’s pilot projects
Oslo’s clean construction strategy shows how procurement can drive industry-wide change, according to C40 Cities, a global network of mayors.
“These pilot projects in motion across Oslo are building the evidence base that clean construction is viable, fair and safe for workers, and should be supported by city councils to propel the positive change necessary for a zero-emission future,” says C40 Cities, adding that other cities can draw several lessons from the Norwegian capita’s experience:
- Small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up the vast majority of the construction sector, need funding and assistance to keep up with larger competitors and adopt clean technologies.
- Workers must be involved in decision-making and need to be upskilled.
- Transitioning to clean construction becomes increasingly cost competitive through pilot projects and sharing knowledge.
- Developing a market for material reuse is key, but faces obstacles such as matching supply with demand, certifying material quality, and securing storage space. Oslo addressed this with Ombygg, a start-up that manages a secondary material storage facility, logistics support, and material safety certifications to enable a circular construction sector.
At one flagship project — the Løren multi-purpose sports hall and activity park — zero-emission construction equipment was deployed alongside reused materials. The external cladding and rooftop structures were made from reused steel sourced from decommissioned ships, while parts of the façade are clad with reused concrete panels, according to C40 Cities.
