The swedish transport administration’s climate requirements in the procurement of infrastructure and bridge projects

Abstract

In line with increasing climate ambitions, the Swedish Transport Administration (STA) has introduced stricter climate requirements in its procurement of infrastructure and bridge projects since 2015. Requirements for climate reductions are gradually increasing until the final goal of climate neutrality is achieved in 2040, which is pressuring contractors and consultants to change their working methods, choice of materials, and technical solutions. This thesis investigates how STA’s climate requirements are currently perceived and managed by contractors and consultants, in order to explore potential improvement measures in setting climate requirements in public procurement of infrastructure and bridge projects. There is limited previous research in this area, which makes this thesis a valuable contribution to the ongoing transition for industry stakeholders. The aim of the study is to provide valuable information to the client, the Swedish Transport Administration, in order to gain a better understanding of how contractors and consultants experience their climate requirements and thereby identify obstacles to improve their formulation of climate requirements. An abductive research method was chosen, where an interview study was conducted in combination with the development of a theoretical framework. A total of twelve semi structured interviews were conducted with various actors active in the construction sector. Two infrastructure and bridge projects were selected as contextual examples, where one representative from each party – client, contractor, and consultant – was interviewed. The remaining six interviewees were selected based on their extensive experience and expertise in the construction sector, with a particular focus on issues related to climate requirements in public procurement. The results show that climate requirements which are material- or fuel-specific are perceived as clear and feasible, whereas the percentage-based reduction requirements are considered complex to implement and difficult to follow up. Consultants request guidance and more standardized calculation tools, while contractors call for clearer incentives that better reflect the additional costs imposed by the climate requirements. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of involving climate aspects early in the projects, increased collaboration and knowledge exchange between actors, and more flexible and innovation-promoting climate requirements. The study provides key recommendations for improving the effectiveness of climate requirements to reduce emissions and contribute to a sustainable construction sector.