Towards a circular construction industry: A study of strategies a contractor can implement to lead the transition to circular economy
Publicerad
Författare
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
The climate challenges the world is facing are a fact and sustainability is becoming
more prioritized in companies’ agenda. A large part of the global emissions is coming
from the construction industry. The construction industry uses many resources at
the same time as it produces a lot of waste. Hence, there is a need for a transition
from the current linear economy to a circular economy.
The thesis aims to investigate which strategies contractors in construction can implement
to lead the transition to a circular economy and recommend a potential
circular business model. It is done by investigating the gap between the current
status of where Skanska and the construction industry today and identifying what
is needed to change in order to reach a sustainable future. Through the identified
gaps strategies are formulated and an analysis of the value chain is conducted to be
able to recommend a potential circular business model for the company.
The study was conducted using the backcasting methodology to be able to envision
the future state and formulate strategies to reach that scenario. Interviews with
persons within the company, internal seminars, and literature have been used as
support during the backcasting process.
The main findings of the thesis were that there are currently several barriers but also
opportunities and great potential for circularity at Skanska and in the construction
industry. When the current status was assessed, five actions Skanska could take
to lead the transition to a circular economy were identified; Implement circular design,
Develop competence within circularity, Ensure a circular value chain, Manage
circular practices and Track the circular development. From the actions identified,
strategies were formulated with the potential to reach the actions and thereby connect
the current situation with the future state. Lastly, a potential circular business
model was recommended to the company.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Circular business model, Circular economy, Construction industry, Backcasting, Circularity indicators