At the request of financiers, the construction and real estate sector must disclose data demonstrating the sustainability of buildings. While national guidelines focus on energy efficiency and staying within CO₂ emission limits, the requirements set for financiers under the EU legislative framework are significantly broader. The Delegated Act on substantial contribution to the circular economy transition under the Taxonomy Regulation imposes an obligation on construction activities to demonstrate their contribution to the circular economy transition. This applies to all manufacturers of windows, doors, external wall systems, roof systems and insulation materials. The verification methodology is based on the Level(s) framework. Indicator 1.2 — the carbon footprint — is well known. However, the Delegated Act now also requires consideration of resource efficiency and material circularity indicators.

All indicators start from a single Excel table — a Bill of Quantities listing materials, quantities and service lives. Once this exists for a building, calculating the indicators to be verified is relatively straightforward. Importantly, the results can be used simultaneously in the building’s carbon footprint calculation (using the Estonian national CO₂ calculation methodology) and in the organisation’s sustainability reporting.

Curriculum
Name of the curriculum Calculating environmental impacts and circularity in the construction sector
Calculating environmental impacts and circularity in the construction sector
Curriculum Group Business and Administration, n.e.c.
Target Group The training is aimed at architects, engineers and companies in the construction and real estate sector. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced professionals who wish to acquire or deepen their knowledge of environmental impact and sustainability assessment of organisations and buildings.
Learning Objective The training aims to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills related to life cycle environmental impacts, carbon footprint calculation, and the use of the Level(s) framework for demonstrating environmental performance in the supply chain, investment decisions, project design and marketing. The programme prepares participants to collect and disclose sustainability evidence within their organisation, in accordance with the requirements of the Taxonomy Regulation and its delegated acts.
Basis of Curriculum Development
  • Taxonomy Regulation and Delegated Acts
  • Sustainability reporting
  • Market analyses
  • Principles of sustainable development
Learning Outcomes
  • Understands sustainability reporting requirements and can interpret them in both product development and organisational contexts
  • Able to plan and implement life cycle environmental impact assessments
  • Able to apply the Level(s) framework
  • Applies the Level(s) framework in sustainability reporting
Conditions for Starting Studies
  • At least intermediate-level English, as materials and tests are in English
  • Basic computer literacy
  • Access to a personal computer with a stable internet connection
  • Prior experience is not required, but a background in sustainability reporting is an advantage
Total Study Volume, Including Classroom, Practical and Independent Work Total amount of study: 60 ac/h
What is classroom learning (group meetings in an online environment):
26 credits/h – mentor meetings and group homework feedback
What independent study is about:
34 credits/h – independent work, also independent e-learning
Independent Work Participants are given training materials that contain more than 500 pages of information, practical examples, exercises and tests.
The amount of independent work per week varies.
Course Content
  • Life cycle thinking and systems thinking principles
  • Level(s) framework
  • Compiling a Bill of Quantities: materials, quantities and service lives (Level(s) indicator 2.1)
  • Calculating the carbon footprint of the building and the organisation
  • Circularity indicators in the construction sector
Learning Methods The training uses a variety of active learning methods, including case studies, practical exercises and independent work.
Learning Environment Training is delivered on a commissioned basis, in both face-to-face and online formats. Materials for classroom sessions and independent study are available to participants on the free e-learning platform at taasterahastu.ee/rohekool.
Learning Materials
  • Lectures
  • Training handouts
Completion Requirements and Documents Issued A certificate of completion is issued when the learner has demonstrated achievement of the learning outcomes by successfully completing practical tasks and answering theoretical questions. If the required learning outcomes are not achieved, a certificate of participation will be issued instead.
Trainer Qualifications and Experience All trainers hold a higher education degree, have relevant professional experience in the subjects they teach, and have experience in adult education.