Norway - Construction work - Invitation to dialogue conference on the possible introduction of a local regulation requiring zero-emission solutions at construction sites in Vestfold

CONFERENCE ON ZERO-EMISSION SOLUTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES IN VESTFOLD On behalf of the municipalities of Vestfold and Vestfold County Council, we would like to invite you to a dialogue conference regarding the possible introduction of a local regulation requiring the use of zero-emission solutions at both public and private construction and civil engineering sites in the region. The dialogue conference will be held via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at 10:00 AM, followed by one-on-one meetings on Friday, 25 September and Monday, 28 September. For more information, please see the Sandefjord Municipality website: Conference on Zero-Emission Solutions for Construction Sites in Vestfold https://www.sandefjord.kommune.no/aktuelt/dialogkonferanse-om-nullutslippslosninger-pa-bygge-og-anleggsplasser-i-vestfold.41443.aspx [https://www.sandefjord.kommune.no/aktuelt/dialogkonferanse-om-nullutslippslosninger-pa-bygge-og-anleggsplasser-i-vestfold.41443.aspx] BACKGROUND Construction and civil engineering activities are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in the region, and the municipalities and county council of Vestfold have ambitious targets for reducing emissions in the years ahead. In April 2025, the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment adopted a national regulation granting municipalities the authority to impose requirements to reduce emissions from construction and civil engineering sites through local regulations. The regulation is authorized under the Pollution Control Act. The municipalities and county council have jointly initiated an assessment of the opportunities associated with introducing a local regulation requiring the use of zero-emission solutions and biogas on public and private construction and civil engineering sites, and what such a regulation would mean for the region. Public project owners are subject to the Public Procurement Act, and the requirement to assign a 30% weighting to climate and environmental criteria is expected to influence the future composition of construction equipment fleets. It is the ambition of the municipalities that this assessment will help create greater predictability for the construction and civil engineering industry throughout the region. THE MUNICIPALITIES ARE SEEKING INPUT During this conference, we will provide information about the ongoing work and would like to receive input from regional and local developers, contractors, suppliers, and other relevant stakeholders. Topics may include: * Benefits and business development opportunities * Market conditions * Costs and economic implications * Distributional impacts PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONFERENCE The municipalities of Vestfold have engaged Norconsult to assist with the dialogue conference, compile information, and support the subsequent follow-up process. The dialogue conference will take place on 24 September from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The conference will be held in Norwegian. TENTATIVE AGENDA * Status update and information regarding the regulatory assessment * Business and industry development * Market status and experiences from projects in the region * Open discussion and stakeholder input * Closing remarks In addition, two days have been allocated for one-on-one meetings following the dialogue conference. Participants are encouraged to provide more detailed input to support the ongoing assessment work. CONTACT INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION Registration for the conference should be sent by email to aksel.aarstad@norconsult.com [aksel.aarstad@norconsult.com] no later than 23 September at 12:00 PM. Registered participants will receive a link to the Teams meeting by email. The one-on-one meetings will be scheduled in 30-minute sessions. Booking can be made through Microsoft Bookings via the following link: Book time with Aksel Aarstad: Vestfold Zero-Emission Regulation 1:1 Meetings https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/cbbf1996ca8f40e3b88cfadf650630fe@norconsult.com/meetingtype/RQ8q76L7VU25yf9S_hL37g2 [https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/cbbf1996ca8f40e3b88cfadf650630fe@norconsult.com/meetingtype/RQ8q76L7VU25yf9S_hL37g2] CONTACT PERSONS Aksel Aarstad, Norconsult Email: aksel.aarstad@norconsult.com [aksel.aarstad@norconsult.com] Ole Jakob Hansen Professional Coordinator, Planning and Nature Management Unit, Sandefjord Municipality Email: Ole.Jakob.Hansen@sandefjord.kommune.no [Ole.Jakob.Hansen@sandefjord.kommune.no] Phone: +47 977 00 502