Overview

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PoCoClim aims to accelerate the implementation of climate adaptation measures for properties in Sweden. The project envisions a future of climate-resilient properties aligned with EU regulations. To support this goal, the team is building a platform that places property owners at the center, enabling the development of a shared roadmap for adaptation.

 

The Case for Systemic Change in Property Climate Adaptation

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Climate-related extreme weather events pose significant risks, potentially leading to excessive costs for society.

A 2020 literature study by Sweden's central bank (Sveriges Riksbank) estimated that flooding alone could affect properties to an estimated value of SEK 96–160 billion. If unaddressed, these challenges may result in long-term economic consequences, such as industry disruptions, declining property values in vulnerable areas, increased insurance premiums, and reduced financing opportunities.

 

Proactive measures to identify risks and strengthen resilience in the built environment can mitigate the impact of climate-related events. Recently enacted EU regulations, such as sustainability reporting rules and sustainable investment classifications, significantly impact industry requirements. Under these rules, property-owning companies must conduct climate risk and vulnerability analyses and implement measures for properties identified as significantly at risk in order to be considered sustainable.

 

In response to the EU regulations and to raise awareness of the risks posed to Sweden’s building stock by climate change, RISE conducted a VINNOVA-funded feasibility study on a Climate Resilience Certificate (CRC), designed to mirror the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) (Thidevall et al., 2023). In parallel, the Swedish government’s National Expert Council for Climate Adaptation highlighted in its 2022 report the urgent need for substantial efforts to steer society toward climate safety, calling for a shift in focus from problem identification to solution implementation, and recommending the introduction of a mandatory climate resilience certificate (Nationella expertrådet för klimatanpassning, 2022).

 

In Sweden, the responsibility for reducing property exposure to climate risks primarily lies with property owners—many of whom lack clear, actionable guidance. As urgency increases, so does the need for collaborative action. PoCoClim seeks to address this and drive systemic change—through the creation of a platform connecting industry actors with property owners and the development of a shared roadmap.

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Key activities planned

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PoCoClim adopts a co-creative approach involving a series of workshops that allow stakeholders to collaboratively explore problems and design solutions. 

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The approach is guided by the team’s four-step framework for climate adaptation of properties:

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1. Develop operational procedures for adapting operations and activities within the property.

2. Install warning systems and emergency response protocols.

3. Implement physical adaptations within property boundaries.

4. Coordinate external measures in collaboration with other property owners and actors

 

The project will collaborate with DaCoClim - Data and collaboration preserves property values in a changing climate.

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Integrating Diverse Expertise and Stakeholders

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PoCoClim brings together an interdisciplinary team with expertise in building physics, climate adaptation, urban planning, law, economics, property development, and innovation. This diverse expertise is grounded in both theoretical insight and practical application, with scientists and practitioners from the private and public sectors involved.

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RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) leads the project. RISE has assembled top experts for this initiative and will manage the work packages.

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At the heart of PoCoClim are engaged property owners, including:

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• Stockholm Stad Fastighetskontoret

• Hufvudstaden

• Fastighets AB Regio

• Svenska Bostäder

• Stockholmshem

• Arwidsro

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Riksbyggen, a participant in DaCoClim, will serve as a bridge between property owners across the two projects. The project aims to involve additional property owners over time.

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PoCoClim’s collaboration with DaCoClim also connects it to financial institutions—Danske Bank, Swedbank, Sparbanken Syd, Svenska Handelsbanken, and SEB—as well as insurance companies including Trygg-Hansa, Svensk Försäkring, Länsförsäkringar, and If.

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The project also intends to include a municipal perspective, inviting representatives from other climate adaptation initiatives in various municipalities to join reference groups when appropriate. National-level collaborations are also planned.

 

Expected outcomes

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PoCoClim will deliver a strategic roadmap toward climate-adapted properties in accordance with EU regulations. Key intermediate outcomes could include:​ development of financing and business models for adaptation measures; consensus-building around climate risk and vulnerability analysis methodologies; identification of existing standardized measures and gaps needing new development; proposals for follow-up initiatives and future projects.

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These efforts will contribute significantly to Sweden’s climate resilience, enabling both compliance with evolving regulations and protection of long-term property value.

 

Project lead​​

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Stina Stenquist, RISE

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References

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Nationella expertrådet för klimatanpassning, (2022). Första rapporten från Nationella expertrådet för klimatanpassning.

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N. Thidevall, P. Lidén and B. Stenvall, (2023). Climate resilience certificates – a standardised assessment of climate risks in real estate, RISE, BORÅS.

Sveriges Riksbank. Ekonomiska kommentarer nr 10 2020. Havsnivåhöjning till följd av global uppvärmning innebär ökade risker för bostäder.

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