Volvo launches Construction Climate Challenge

Volvo Construction Equipment is spearheading a new industry-wide initiative to promote sustainability in the construction industry and provide funding for environmental research.

The Construction Climate Challenge (CCC) aims to create a dialogue with industry representatives, academics and politicians, as well as providing funding for new research and share existing knowledge and resources.

According to Volvo, the initiative needs to encompass the entire value chain of the construction, from extraction and production of building materials, to road and general construction, to demolition and recycling

Volvo CE president Martin Weissburg said, “We’ve been working on reducing emissions through our own internal initiatives for many years – and to considerable success.

"In December 2013, for example, we achieved carbon neutrality at our articulated hauler production facility in Braås, Sweden. However, we cannot address climate issues by ourselves.”

Volvo, alongside researchers, professors and PhD students, and R&D employees working at the company, has identified four research themes that the CCC will focus on. In the future, researchers will be able to apply for funding for projects falling within these themes, while participants will be kept up-to-date with all the latest findings.