Calculations show that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen), with five contractual requirements, will reduce emissions on the E18 Lysaker-Ramstadsletta by more than 25 percent.
Innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The construction of the new E18 between Lysaker – Ramstadsletta is the first stage of the E18 western corridor project (E18 Vestkorridoren). E18 Vestkorridoren is a climate pilot project Norwegian Road Administration Public. This project worked on innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during its development. In 2019, a climate budget was prepared for the project. Here, the climate impact was calculated based on three phases in a life cycle of 60 years; namely, the production of materials, the construction phase itself and the operational phase.
The results from the climate budget were used to formulate the requirements for materials and solutions in announced contracts for the construction of the western corridor E18.
The set climatic requirements provide enormous climatic benefits
Asplan Viak / Aas Jakobsen AS on behalf of the Norwegian Public Road Administration investigated the impact of climate requirements on the project's climate footprint. The report's conclusion is clear; By establishing only five climate requirements, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration will reduce emissions from nearly 400 to 000 tonnes of CO290 equivalent under this project. This means more than a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over 60 years.
Determining the climatic requirements for materials
Reduction of CO2 equivalent by 100 thousand. tons became possible by establishing climatic requirements for the following materials: low-carbon concrete, reinforcing steel, low-temperature asphalt on a temporarily changed route, asphalt binding layer and wear layer, and lime cement. For this type of material, the Norwegian Public Roads Authority for the “E18 Vestkorridoren” project has specified requirements regarding the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that this material causes during production and transport.
The project also requires climate-friendly solutions construction site, such as electric construction machinery and passenger cars, and a ban on the use of mobile diesel generators.
It is possible to reduce emissions!
- As the largest land developer in Norway. The Norwegian Public Roads Authority has set itself ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gases in its activities. We also know that the construction of tunnels and bridges, as well as the need to strengthen the ground, will result in greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to the production of concrete and steel, asphalt and lime-cement piles. Therefore, I am glad that we have documented that it is indeed possible to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This is simply done by setting five requirements in our contracts, says project manager Tom Hedalen.
Requirements must be both ambitious and feasible
The first contract for the Western Corridor with the listed climate requirements has already been announced. Hedalen emphasizes that by setting ambitious climate requirements in future contracts, Norwegian Public Roads Authority can be a driving force for development towards a low carbon society.
- At the same time, we must take into account that contractors must be able to implement. Clarifying the requirements in the contracts we announce - says Tom Hedalen.
Elements of the climate budget
The climate budget is prepared by linking the projected amounts of materials and energy being prepared. Also for predicting consumption for operation and maintenance, with values for the climate impact of material production and energy. The total climate impact of road infrastructure is therefore the sum of the climate impact of each material and energy component.
