Skanska participated in WBCSD CEO Roundtable
Collaborative efforts toward net zero
One of the key events was a roundtable organized by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. We joined forces with organizations such as UNICEF Sweden, Ericsson, SSAB and the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The central message was clear: collaboration between industry leaders is essential for effective climate action.
As part of the WBCSD (World Building Council for Sustainable Development) Built Environment CEO Roundtable, we and other leading companies including Holcim and Autodesk discussed how the industry is making progress toward net-zero emissions in the built environment. These conversations highlight the importance of sharing innovative technologies and strategies for decarbonizing the materials supply chain.
Industry leaders align on climate goals
During the LeadIT panel, Anna Åkesson joined policymakers and industry experts to explore how heavy industries can transition to net-zero. This discussion, featuring insights from industry leaders and government officials from around the globe, emphasized the need for international collaboration to decarbonize heavy industries like steel and cement, which together account for 11 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Skanska representatives joined experts and policymakers on the LeadIT panel
A perfect example of our efforts in this area is highlighted in our podcast, Getting the Carbon Out of Concrete, where we explore how the construction industry can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, one of the most widely used materials in construction. We are developing breakthrough technologies like low-carbon concrete and partnering with key stakeholders for mass adoption. You can listen to the full podcast here.
Driving change through partnerships
One of the standout messages from Climate Week was the importance of partnership – something you can see in our collaboration with Volvo on emission-free equipment. Our recent zero-emission EC230 electric excavator pilot project is a great example of how partnerships can accelerate the adoption of new technologies to reduce impact. By working together, we’re leading the way in pushing for quieter, more sustainable construction methods. But scaling and adoption by the whole industry is critical. Learn more about our partnership with Volvo on our podcast, Electric Advantage: The Quieter Building Site.
Environmental protection in construction
For a deeper look at how we’re making an impact in construction, explore our blog from Skanska USA, Environmental Protection in Construction: 8 Ways Skanska Invests in Our Planet. This post highlights some of the tangible steps we’ve taken in North America, including reducing carbon emissions through low-carbon materials, minimizing waste and promoting biodiversity.
Looking ahead
New York Climate Week reinforced the progress we’ve made, and also the sheer amount of work to be done. These forums are great for raising awareness, sharing knowledge and touching base on areas that need common focus and collaboration. But the real work is done between these meetings out on site, project by project, carbon saving by carbon saving. That’s where we must continue to deliver the most impact for our customers and for society.
