Over the course of a year, two competing teams will address a crucial question: How can Sweden reach zero emissions of greenhouse gases in the infrastructure sector by 2045? To that end, the Öresund Bridge is chosen as an illustrative case.
The two teams consist of representatives from the cement, steel and construction industry along with members from universities and research institutes.
The Swedish EPA has launched the contest to accelerate new solutions and promote innovation to enable the infrastructure sector to achieve the industry's – and Sweden's – environmental objectives.
What will the competition bring?
The competition will spark innovative ideas for achieving zero emissions of greenhouse gases. The work will also contribute to related policy innovations and proposals for implementing these innovations. Yet another result is the experience gained from testing the competition's uniquely collaborative format. This is the first time it is being implemented in Sweden. The format has formerly only been tested partially by the European paper and pulp industry.
Competitors cooperate – colleagues compete
In this model there are two teams with cutting-edge expertise that are competing. It is designed to make competitors cooperate with each other and generate ideas while at the same time making colleagues compete against one another.
With its new approach to collaboration, the competition aims to erase traditional boundaries and draw inspiration from other industries and sciences. It is time for new solutions and more innovations so that we can faster reach a better environment and climate.
How the competition works
Over the course of a year, the teams will be working on a fictitious bridge construction. The challenge is: How can you build it with zero emissions by 2045? For instance, which materials and techniques can you use? What is the design like? Which business models and regulations do we have?
The work will take place during five sessions between the autumn of 2017 to the spring of 2018. The different competing organisations are hosting the sessions, which takes place during two days with one inspiration day and one competition day.
Who is behind the competition?
The Swedish EPA has developed the competition in collaboration with the following government agencies:
- Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
- National Board of Housing, Building and Planning
- Swedish Energy Agency
- Formas, The Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning
- Swedish Agency for Growth Policy Analysis
- Swedish Transport Administration
- Vinnova, The Swedish Innovation Agency
The competition format enables competing teams of companies, customers, suppliers, consultants and researchers to contribute with their knowledge and perspectives, and generate ideas across traditional organisational and industry boundaries. The competition is being developed in an inclusive creation process together with the contestants.
Another important part of the competition is InfraSweden2030 - a strategic innovation programme. The programme has played a key role in forming the teams with the right expertise.
Brief background
The Swedish EPA has initiated the competition to contribute to the new climate framework that Sweden adopted in 2017. Under the framework, Sweden is to reach net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by the year 2045. Such a development requires a resource-efficient transition to a sustainable environment
In addition, the global sustainability objectives challenge us to find new ways of collaboration to meet the objectives. The Swedish EPA wants to contribute to this through the competitive initiative. Industry, researchers and government agencies will take a new approach to collaboration so that breakthrough innovations can be developed.