Macon ensures carbon negativity of new ecovillage

Macon, a bioeconomy strategy development company, is conducting the carbon footprint calculations for the first carbon negative houses to built in Finland. 

Macon wanted to participate in the ecovillage construction project because it has very high goals for both building materials and energy solutions

Currently under construction in Pargas, South-West Finland, the small properties will be built by Godai - an environmentally-conscious constructino company - and  incorporate eco-friendly timber structures.

The carbon footprint calculations conducted by Macon is based on RTS Environmental Classification, life cycle metres by Green Building Council Finland and a method for assessing the carbon footprint of buildings by the Ministry of the Environment.

The carbon negative houses will all have the same environmental certifications, which include Nordic Swan, RTS Environmental Classification, FSC and PEFC certificates, Kuivaketju10 and Active House certificates.

“We believe that this project is a kind of a stepping stone to carbon neutral construction, which will fulfil the requirements of the strictest standards. This project also provides us with extremely important information about the true life cycle of building materials,” said Mikko Ahokas, the CEO of Macon.

“Construction is one of the most environmentally straining industries in Finland. We wanted to step in and do things differently. It is great to take small steps, but it was important to us to create something bigger at once.

“This is the reason we designed a house model that will fulfil all the possible criteria whether it is to do with responsible materials, environmental impact, indoor air or interior emissions,” adds Nina Ingelius, CEO of Godai.

In addition to being carbon negative, all the timber used in the project will be certified, to ensures responsible forestry and timber handling.

Besides being energy efficient, the new houses will also utilise solar energy and reduce water consumption by recycling greywater.

While the concept house is currently being built on its own plot, an ecovillage of seven identical houses is currently under construction on an adjacent plot, and will be completed by the end of 2022.