34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) - Singapore, Singapore - 2026

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0200

Decarbonizing construction through logistics: insights from cold climates

Müge Tetik1, Ergo Pikas2, Kädi-Riin Vendel3, Nima Moghimi4 & Farook Hamzeh5

1Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, School of Energy Systems, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Lahti, Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-4013-0577
2Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, School of Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-5691-685X
3Early Stage Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, School of Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia, [email protected], orcid.org/0009-0004-1702-1817
4Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, AB, Canada, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-3986-9534
5Ph.D. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, AB, Canada, [email protected], orcid.org/0009-0008-4733-1276

Abstract

Construction logistics and site operations are significant sources of emissions, especially in cold climates where heating, lighting, and equipment use are intensified. Design and early planning decisions determine material flows, site organization, and the duration of temporary energy-intensive systems. Although lean construction is known for reducing waste and variability, its potential to support emission-aware logistics planning is still under-explored. As a result, the links between logistics reliability, efficiency, and emissions remain unclear. This study investigates how design and production planning can be better aligned with low-emission strategies in cold climates. The study adopts an integrative qualitative review that synthesizes literature, certification and policy documents, and contextual material from Finland, Estonia and Canada. Findings show that design and production planning decisions influence construction phase emissions by shaping logistics system configuration, material flow reliability, transport intensity and duration of energy-intensive operations. These relationships are amplified in cold climate contexts where seasonal access constraints and energy demand increase emissions from logistics inefficiencies. Based on these, the study develops a framework that links improvements through lean in material flow and site coordination to systematic, emission aware planning. Results support researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in embedding emission-aware thinking into planning and logistics.

Keywords

Logistics, design for logistics, lean construction, cold climate construction, sustainability.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Tetik, M., Pikas, E., Vendel, K., Moghimi, N. & Hamzeh, F.. (2026). Decarbonizing construction through logistics: insights from cold climates. In Hamzeh, F., Poshdar, M., & Garcia-Lopez,, N. P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 482–494). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0200

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Tetik, M., Pikas, E., Vendel, K., Moghimi, N. & Hamzeh, F.. (2026). Decarbonizing construction through logistics: insights from cold climates. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0200

 

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