Today, the Norwegian government will present a comprehensive strategy for construction and real estate in the public civil sector. It covers both state-owned rental of premises on the market, state-owned construction projects and state-owned real estate management.
For too long, the state has spent too much money on renting premises on the market
- For far too many years, the state has spent too much money on renting premises on the market. In the new strategy, we plan to significantly cut costs, while managing real estate more economically and implementing new projects. The Sustainable Development Goals must guide how the state will manage its property portfolio in the future. This is speaking Nikolai Astrup, Minister of Local Government and Modernization.
Strategy for the construction and management of state assets in Norway. The construction sector should be more climate-friendly
The construction sector is responsible for around 15% of Norway's greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve the 2030 climate goals, it is absolutely imperative that the state takes the lead and cuts emissions in its own building and property management. 45 actions will contribute, inter alia, to to increase cost-effectiveness and reduce the impact on the climate and the environment.
– The state is the main player on the market real estate and must take part of it responsibility for reducing emissions. We will do this by setting requirements for rental properties, existing properties and new construction projects. The state must take the initiative and contribute to more circular solutions and a sustainable construction and real estate industry. We need to meet new and changed needs in existing buildings. When we need to build new ones, we will reuse building materials where appropriate and produce less waste, says Astrup.
Statsbygg already places high demands on construction projects for which it is a customer
Some sectors construction industry and real estate have problems with dishonest and criminal entities. The state should be a leader in working to impose requirements on serious suppliers. Statsbygg already applies high standards to the construction projects in which it is a client. Such requirements will now also apply to rental, operation and maintenance, regardless of who enters into the contract on behalf of the state.
- Statsbygg will take the initiative to create a cooperation forum for public builders, information exchange, experience sharing and more coordinated action against work-related crime, says Astrup.
