Transformative trends driving development
The green transition, digitalisation and resilience are the overarching trends that impact Sweco’s clients and drive Sweco’s business. Sweco’s expertise is in demand in areas such as resource-efficient industrial solutions, modern transportation infrastructure, reliable energy solutions and climate-smart urban planning. All of these areas are crucial for the sustainable.
Challenges accelerate the need for planning
Europe is facing major challenges. With inflation as its highest level in decades, key interest rates have increased, economic activity has weakened and the short-term economic outlook is flat. With the high degree of geopolitical uncertainty, there is a risk that the ongoing energy crisis may be intensified. There are also longer-term challenges. Climate change and loss of biodiversity may have serious consequences for societies and ecosystems throughout the world. Many European cities and societies are in need of action plans and concrete measures to ensure water, energy and materials supply in the event of crisis or war. Climate changes, with increased rainfall, higher temperatures and rising sea levels, also place demands on urban planning for new and existing areas.
Focus on energy transition
Reducing climate impact while meeting society’s growing need for energy involves creating a secure and efficient supply, distribution and consumption of energy for industry and society at large, while accelerating the transition to fossil-free energy sources. This is a high-priority issue and at the UN’s annual climate change conference, COP28, the world’s countries agreed to triple the expansion of renewable energy and double the rate of energy optimisation by 2030. Jobs and interesting business opportunities are being created as a range of sectors collaborate on the development and implementation of new technologies and systems solutions.
Urbanisation in transition
Population growth, demographic shifts and greater prosperity have for many years been driving an urbanisation wave on a global scale, often exemplified by the migration of people from rural to urban areas. Today, urbanisation interfaces with digital developments and with efforts to improve sustainability to create new development and movement patterns. The proliferation of digital tools has decoupled many types of work from a geographical location, reducing the need and tendency to gravitate workplaces towards city centres. The overall attractiveness of city centres has also declined due to the strong growth of e-commerce. In contrast, the expansion of urban-like areas close to, but outside, typical metropolitan regions is accelerating. This development, along with increasing demands for climate-adapted and sustainable solutions, is driving demand for a new type of urban planning, one in which smarter solutions from the micro to the infrastructure level are needed to connect expanding cities and areas.
Circular economy
The industry, property and infrastructure sectors are increasingly interested in circularity due to increasing raw material prices, stricter climate goals and more proactive and ambitious policies. New buildings are designed for future re-use of materials and products, and existing buildings are retrofitted to improve performance and extend the buildings’ life. This creates new business models, partnerships, and the need for large amounts of data from the entire life cycle.
Welfare and social sustainability
Deteriorated geopolitical security, the pandemic and pulsating migration have increased focus on social sustainability as urban development is pressured by the political unrest and economic uncertainty. Government investments in the common welfare have explicit sustainability and climate transition requirements, where ” Building Back Better” has influenced European politics and is considered as the way forward after the pandemic.
Digitalisation – a facilitator
The digitalisation of society is well underway. The development curve is exponential, and advanced IT solutions that link everything together are playing an increasingly important role in shaping tomorrow’s sustainable cities and communities. With new digital tools enabling more distance-based work, changes in consumer behaviour with the rapid growth of e-commerce, and housing shortages in many areas, the overall attractiveness of city centres has declined and the development of urban-like areas near but outside typical metropolitan regions is accelerating. A new type of urban planning is emerging, and with it a need for improvements to vital societal functions and infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, energy, water, heating, waste management and public transport. There has never been greater opportunity to steer development towards a sustainable future through digital solutions, combined with circularity and the green economy. This rapid evolution means that today’s architects and engineers need to have a comprehensive perspective, mastering all the advanced technologies that are emerging and understanding how these can be applied to actively support sustainable development.
Sustainability Report
Sustainability forms an integral part of Sweco’s business and strategy.
Sweco’s sustainability work
Sweco’s group-wide sustainability goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2040.
This is Sweco
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