The government believes that holiday homes and extensions should be subject to stricter requirements, as negotiations begin. Climate requirements for constructions should be tightened, and smaller constructions should be covered by rules, the government proposes. This is stated in a proposal from Minister of Social and Housing Affairs, Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, (S), before negotiations begin on Tuesday. “The construction industry accounts for a large part of Denmark’s CO2 emissions, and it is high time that we tighten the screws on the construction sector’s contribution to the green transition,” she said in a press release. So far, climate requirements have applied to new constructions over 1,000 square meters. According to the government, the stricter requirements should apply to both smaller constructions and more types of constructions. Including holiday homes and larger extensions. The minister talks about the requirements needing to be “significantly tightened.” Processes on the construction site should also be included in the climate calculation, according to the press release. A limit for the construction’s emissions over the building’s expected total lifespan should be introduced, the construction’s life cycle assessment. The requirements will be tailored to the type of construction, so buildings where it is initially easier to keep the CO2 balance low will have to meet higher requirements.

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