We are in the midst of a circular transition
The circular transformation of our operations and business model is in full swing. We strive to reduce resource use and use our resources in a smarter and more efficient way to meet our customers' needs to develop the flexible campus environments of the future. Through this, we not only reduce our climate impact, but also the impact on biodiversity in our value chain. In the long term, it also contributes to lower costs for our customers through circular construction and more circular management. Our goal is to, with the help of digital tools, scale and efficient processes, make it as easy to build with circular materials as it is to build with virgin ones.
Roadmap for circular economy – identifies three areas
The resources that come into our system must have the potential to be used for longer and be reused, be able to be circulated to the greatest extent possible and create sustainable and economic benefits within our systems and campus boundaries. The resources that go out of our system should primarily have the potential to create benefits in some other context, preferably with as high a value as possible. Our designated resources for a circular transition are water, energy and materials.
Water
We can influence how we use water on our campuses. By working to both reduce our and our customers' water use and at the same time increase our reuse, we build resilience for the future and reduce our financial risk.
Energy
A more circular perspective on energy issues and more flexible systems can give us even lower consumption. Reducing the amount of energy used on campus will increasingly be about how we economize, store and distribute electricity on campus.
Materials
Whether it is building materials or other material resources such as technology, consumables such as computers, the same principle needs to apply. That is, minimize, work to extend the lifespan and circulate materials internally.
The four-step principle – for reduced new construction
When needs change and discussions about new construction are brought to the fore, we start from a four-step principle. We do this in all our projects to live up to our goals of reduced new construction, increased premises optimisation and reducing carbon emissions. We work data-driven and analyse with the help of presence sensors to ensure that the spaces we create are really needed.
It is by asking counter-questions and daring to challenge their client with their actual needs that a property owner can contribute to reducing the industry's climate footprint. The four-step principle helps us to do just that.
- Utilize existing. Can we meet new needs with changed operations and maintenance?
- Can we optimize and streamline?
- Can we meet needs through renovation or expansion?
- If still needed - new construction with the lowest possible climate impact
Akademiska Hus on circular transition
"We want to be an active player in the circular transition that is underway together with our customers, and work for increased resource efficiency on campus."
Reduced new construction with the help of sensors
In many cases, premises and properties are not used efficiently enough for a reconstruction, new construction or extension to be resisted. A good way to keep track of how a building is actually being used is to measure occupancy with the help of sensors. Through the digitalization of properties, we can thus create a better understanding of our needs and thereby make better decisions about how we should develop our property portfolio.