The construction sector plays a key role in the transition
Overconsumption is a key driver of both the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. The current consumption-based economic model exceeds the planet’s carrying capacity and threatens both nature’s diversity and people’s well-being. Nature cannot regenerate at the same pace as it is being consumed.
Buildings and construction are estimated to account for roughly one third of Finland’s greenhouse gas emissions. The construction sector is highly material-intensive. The production and use of construction materials, construction processes, and demolition—together with the long life cycle of the built environment—tie up vast amounts of natural resources for decades.
Circular economy solutions curb overconsumption
Reusing building products and directing demolition materials to serve as raw materials for new buildings and products directly reduces the use of virgin natural resources, the amount of waste, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The construction sector can significantly reduce its environmental footprint by increasing renovation instead of demolition and new construction, extending the service life of buildings, and using reusable, recycled, and recovered materials. Structural solutions—such as lighter concrete structures and increased use of wood—also support the sustainable use of natural resources.
Reuse of building products is becoming more common in Finland as well. We already have good practical experience of reusing building products in various construction projects. In addition, Finland has a pleasing amount of research and development projects related to reuse, as well as cooperation across the sector,
says Katja Tähtinen, Research Director at the Building Information Foundation RTS.
Katja Tähtinen is a member of the Circular Economy Working Group convened by Green Building Council Finland (FIGBC), whose aim is to define the steps toward mainstreaming the reuse of building components.
Change requires shared decisions
Reducing overconsumption of natural resources is not only the responsibility of industry actors or individuals. While everyday choices matter, decisive factors are societal structures, legislation, and political steering.
Reducing overconsumption does not mean giving up well-being, but securing it in the long term. Decisions about the built environment that we make today will affect the use of natural resources and the state of the environment for decades to come.
The Building Information Foundation RTS is carrying out the BLINK research project, aimed at reducing overconsumption, together with AFRY Finland Oy, the Terra research centre at Tampere University, and the BIOS research unit. BLINK examines established practices in the construction sector, guidance, decision-making structures, and incentives. Concrete has been selected as the focus among building materials, as it is the most widely used construction material in the world. Through the lens of concrete, the project aims to identify how different structures and value chains hinder resource efficiency and how they can be steered to support ecological, economic, and technical sustainability. The research project started in January and will run for two years. The research is funded by the Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation.
We need construction standards and processes so that we have functional roads, and safe and healthy homes and public spaces. That’s why we want to examine these processes so we can identify the decision points where the sector can operate more sustainably. The real estate and construction sector is a significant industry that can increase its attractiveness by setting an example for others. All of us have a responsibility to consume in a way that safeguards good living environments and conditions for both current and future generations,
explains Katja Tähtinen.
Earth Overshoot Day
Overshoot Day is, in calculations, the date when people’s ecological footprint exceeds Earth’s ability to regenerate renewable resources and to absorb the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of fossil fuels. The biggest sources of overconsumption are energy production, transport, and food production.
In Finland, Overshoot Day in 2026 falls on 1 April. Finns consume their share of the world’s natural resources roughly four months faster than the global average. The date for global Overshoot Day will be published in June. In recent years, World Overshoot Day has been around the beginning of August.
Global and national Overshoot Days are calculated annually by the Global Footprint Network.
Learn more about the BLINK research project on our website:
Read an article on the Nessling Foundation’s website, featuring researchers’ perspectives from marketing and geography on the current system that fuels overconsumption.
