Sweco’s Post

How can cities protect inhabitants from the increasing number of heatwaves? Sweco’s analysis of 24 European cities highlights the urgent need for heat wave mitigation and resilience.  Europe, the continent where warming is accelerating at the most alarming rate, faces a critical challenge: urban heatwave adaptation. A recent Sweco study shows that adaptation policies are lagging, especially when it comes to safeguarding vulnerable populations. During the scorching summer of 2022, more than 61,000 lives were lost due to record-breaking heatwaves. In 2023, there was a record number of days with “extreme heat stress.” The risks extend beyond public health and have an impact on infrastructure and economic productivity. There is a need to take action in order to enhance resilience in cities. This can be achieved through digital innovation, nature-based solutions, green-blue infrastructure and through designing high-performing buildings. Read the full report here:  https://lnkd.in/gX9iBSk5    #ClimateResilience #UrbanHeat #ClimateAction #SwecoGroup #UrbanInsight  

Sweco has been selected by VoltH2 to design and develop a new green hydrogen plant in Delfzijl in the Netherlands. With permits secured, the plant is set to produce 5,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2027, supporting local industries.  “These are exciting times during which all stakeholders need to move quickly to enable the green transition. At Sweco, we are well positioned to be advising VoltH2 in this area since we have cross-country specialist knowledge gained from numerous hydrogen projects across Europe. Our experts have been participating in this project through the investment and permit phase and can quickly deliver a detailed preliminary design to VoltH2,” says Åsa Bergman, President and CEO of Sweco. VoltH2 is committed to advancing green hydrogen production across Europe, with plans for six plants in the Netherlands and Germany. Sweco’s involvement in multiple VoltH2 projects, including those in Vlissingen and Terneuzen, showcases our strong partnership. “VoltH2 has chosen to partner with Sweco because of their combination of international reach and local presence in the regions that we are targeting. Their knowledge of local legislation makes Sweco well-suited for advising us in the permitting processes. Moreover, Sweco has relevant hydrogen projects in their track record and top experts with the necessary technical know-how,” says André Jurres, CEO of VoltH2. Click the link for more information about the project: https://lnkd.in/dZB5dYFZ    #SwecoGroup #TransformingSocietyTogether 

🌍 The construction phase of one of the first green hydrogen plants is in full preparation, which brings us one step closer to our goals of being carbon neutral by 2050. ⚡The energy company VoltH2 and Sweco will work intensively together for this purpose. The production plant will be built in Delfzijl, Netherlands. It is expected to produce around 5,000 tonnes of green hydrogen from the second half of 2027 and is currently being designed. 👉 Read all the details in the press release: https://bit.ly/45xTGpV 📷 © Sweco / VoltH2 VoltH2: André Jurres, Gerwin Hament, Peter De Block Sweco: Åsa Bergman, Erwin Malcorps, Filip Verheyen, Gaëlla Delcour, Tom Van Den Noortgaete, Sara Vander Beken 👏 Special thanks to our project team: Robert Mosely, Luc Boonen, Olivier Gallant, Luka Mulier, Jasper van Gils, Oleksii Petrenko, Wouter Wittevrongel, Jasper Lemoine, Hannes Van Oost, Jelle Verstraeten #BeSweco #hydrogen #energy #carbonneutral #TransformingSocietyTogether

Sweco has been awarded a four-year framework agreement worth approximately 21 million euros by the Danish Ministry of Defence Estate Agency (MDEA). In this assignment, Sweco will be solely responsible for providing strategic consultancy in the construction, maintenance, development and sustainability of military operative properties across Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The MDEA “Forsvarsministeriets Ejendomsstyrelse” manages and expands military facilities such as barracks, naval bases, air force stations, shooting ranges, training grounds and other property on behalf of the Danish Armed Forces. It is also responsible for the environment and energy agenda for the entire Ministry of Defence’s area of authority. “We are delighted to contribute to this important societal task — to upgrade and further develop the physical framework for the Danish Ministry of Defence. We were selected because of our cross-cutting perspective in solving tasks. Our strength at Sweco comprises our many skills as well as our ability to bring them into play in interdisciplinary advisory services from technical to strategic levels. With that approach, we look forward to supporting the MDEA for the next four years,” says Dariush Rezai, Business Area President for Sweco in Denmark. This is the first time that the MDEA has entered a strategic collaboration with one single advisor. The assignment started in May 2024 and will continue for four years with an expected budget of DKK 160 million and a maximum limit of DKK 240 million. Read more about the project and Sweco’s role as a trusted advisor to Europe’s defence and security industry: https://lnkd.in/deWFJJ_9 #SwecoGroup #TransformingSocietyTogether 

The transport industry is embarking on an exciting and necessary journey towards fossil-free solutions. As transport CO2 emissions rise, the need for sustainable practices has never been more urgent. To align with the Net-Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2050 scenario, transport sector CO2 emissions must fall by more than 3% per year by 2030. Key to this transformation is the adoption of electrification and circular business models, including the use of electric vehicles, power-to-X technologies, biofuels, and other eco-friendly fuels on land, sea, and in the air. With green steel and advanced batteries leading the charge, the industry is addressing its carbon footprint head-on. “Vehicle manufacturers have what they call four hotspots in order to reduce their carbon footprint, namely steel, batteries, cast iron and aluminium. These four areas cover approximately 70-80 per cent of an OEM’s product’s CO2 footprint,” says Peter Bryntesson, CEO of the Scandinavian Automotive Supplier Association. The transition is challenging but crucial. Through strong regulations, investment and innovation, the transport sector can drive towards a more sustainable future.  Read more about these changes and the road ahead for the transport sector’s green transition: https://lnkd.in/dFc5jg2G #SwecoGroup #TransformingSocietyTogether 

🌍🌿 The road to green steel: Overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities 🌿🌍 The steel industry is spearheading the green transition in the industrial sector by embracing smart manufacturing and green technology. This shift is reshaping heavy industry, heralding a new era akin to a second industrial revolution. But obstacles remain, particularly in securing sufficient and affordable fossil-free electricity, responsibly sourcing raw materials and navigating the complexities of new technologies. “The steel industry proactively tackled potential risks of falling behind on the climate transition by embracing change early. However, concerns remain regarding sufficient and affordable electricity and the optimal choice among various technologies, although the global scale of the industry suggests that a diversity of technologies can coexist worldwide,” says Björn Nykvist, researcher at Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). At Sweco, we believe in the importance of sustainable solutions that reuse materials and resources. Our pilot project with Tibnor and DEKRA demonstrates that recycled steel can slash emissions by 97%, proving that reusing materials is both viable and essential for a circular economy. Read more about the transformative journey towards green steel and the challenges ahead: https://lnkd.in/depkAjUc #SwecoGroup #TransformingSocietyTogether 

Curious about circular economy initiatives in European cities? Join our upcoming webinar to explore a detailed mapping of best-practice cases of circular urban economies across Europe.    📅 4 June 🕝 15:00-17:00 CEST 🌐 Online  Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dHtNnWrj    Participants: • Björn Wallsten , Senior Research Officer at Formas, Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development and Coordinator for the Circular Urban Economies Transition Pathway in DUT. • Helena Bjarnegård, Sweden’s National Architect and National Contact Point for the New European Bauhaus in Sweden • Charlie Gullström, Research and innovation strategist at Sweco and Adjunct Professor in Circular Economy, Chalmers • Lauren Zemering, Digital Product Designer and Project Lead for the Knowledge Hub at Circle Economy • Katarina Schylberg, MB Communication & Dissemination, IQS • Kathleen Van de Werf, Business Development Manager, Sweco • Joost Beunderman, NetZeroCities and co-founder of Dark Matter Laboratories •Carlo Negri, Architect and International Director, Sweco • Kevin Penalva-Halpin, Climate Adaptation expert, Sweco    Explore the cutting-edge of circular economies in Europe's urban landscapes together with us.    📌 Presented together with the intergovernmental research and innovation programme Driving Urban Transitions (DUT), The Swedish Centre for Innovation and Quality in the Built Environment (IQS), and Sweco, Europe's leading architecture and engineering consultancy.    #SwecoGroup #UrbanInsight #DUTPartnership #Circularity 

Drastic changes in the energy landscape in Europe are needed to make the industrial sector green and sustainable. In this article, we highlight the most accurate trends and possibilities, as well as the new risks that the energy transition brings. The transition to renewable energy is in full swing, with solar and wind leading the charge. This shift is crucial for combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable energy future. In 2023 alone, renewable energy capacity grew by a staggering 510 gigawatts, with solar energy taking the lead thanks to a significant drop in panel prices. By early 2025, renewable energy is projected to make up more than one-third of global electricity production. Nuclear power is also set to reach record levels, contributing alongside renewables to nearly half of the world's electricity by 2026. This rapid expansion, however, calls for significant upgrades in transmission and distribution networks to handle the increased demand and maintain grid stability. As we embrace renewable energy, strategic investments in storage solutions, green hydrogen, and energy efficiency will play a crucial role in building a resilient and sustainable energy system.  Click the link to learn more about the rapid expansion of renewable energy, the essential grid infrastructure upgrades, the rising importance of energy storage and green hydrogen, and the critical role of energy efficiency in achieving a sustainable energy future. https://lnkd.in/dTnK6y97 #SwecoGroup #TransformingSocietyTogether 

Steel is an essential building block of the modern society, found in everything from towering skyscrapers to humble household items. However, the environmental impact of steel production is substantial, contributing 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions — more than any other heavy industry. As the demand for steel continues to rise, these emissions have increased over the past decade and are expected to rise by a further 30% come 2050.   As the industry resets and evolves, startups are seizing the opportunity to lead the charge. With the advantage of building Industry 5.0 from scratch, these emerging players are revolutionising the steel sector and challenging established norms. “Heavy industry is changing radically. It is a reset on a completely different level, almost like industrialisation all over again. Many old companies are at risk when new players come in as it can change the entire market. The new players also have a completely different structure and a completely different leadership,” says Fredrik Axby, Division Manager for Energy & Industry at Sweco Sweden. Read the full article to learn more about the steel industry, including the key players, the various paths to achieving net zero, and the thrilling transformations taking place: https://lnkd.in/dabcbrWb #SwecoGroup #TransformingSocietyTogether