How the construction industry contributes to a climate-neutral future

Cement, recycled concrete and mineralisation

The Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA) launched its “Climate, energy and resources” action plan in 2023 and is developing a method for calculating carbon emissions in construction. According to Cemsuisse director Stefan Vannoni, the cement industry relies on recycled concrete, sustainable construction methods and carbon capture and sequestration, which require a reliable framework. Bern-based Neustark binds biogenic CO₂ from biogas plants in crushed demolition concrete, where it mineralises into limestone within a few hours.

Timber construction and low-tech

According to co-founder and Managing Partner Thomas Fedrizzi, Timber Finance quantifies the carbon removed in timber buildings and monetises it through credits and financial products. Timber construction is the only listed industry whose products keep CO₂ locked away for more than a hundred years, he says. Martin Ménard's Low-Tech Lab in Zurich takes a different route: an apartment building from before 1980 can be made climate-fit with simple means for around CHF 300 per square metre of floor area, compared with around CHF 1,500 for a conventional full renovation.

We map carbon removals in timber buildings worldwide and monetise them. (Thomas Fedrizzi)

How Timber Carbon sees it

The article presents timber construction as one of several solutions for climate-friendly building, with the advantage of keeping carbon in the load-bearing structure itself. Timber Carbon, launched in 2026 as a spin-off of Timber Finance, quantifies, certifies and monetises the carbon removed in mass timber buildings as carbon removal credits on the voluntary carbon market. Learn more on our technology page.