Resource effectiveness through shared space in Sweden
Sharing space and existing offices is necessary in a sustainable society. A sector report from the IVA project Resource Effectiveness and the Circular Economy (ReCE).
“Sweden’s waste of space is unsustainable. Offices and other work spaces need to be utilised at a rate that is greater than around 10 percent, which is the rate today. We need to share our resources better in a future circular built environment,” says Anna Denell, Sustainability Director, Vasakronan and Chair of the work group behind this IVA report.
One of IVA’s recommendations is for the Government to overhaul regulations to promote sharing of work space. The proposals include:
- Overhaul the VAT rules to enable sharing between organisations.
- Modernise rental laws to encourage sharing solutions.
- Overhaul the Planning and Building Act so that zoning plan rules encourage flexibility.
These conclusions were drawn within the IVA project Resource Effectiveness and the Circular Economy, the purpose of which has been to make Sweden more competitive in a future with finite resources in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“The project’s vision is for Sweden to be the leading nation as a resource-effective, circular society,” says Caroline Ankarcrona, Project Manager at IVA.
