Swedish climate declaration module A4: how to calculate and reduce the climate impact of transport
Short answer: Module A4 in the Swedish climate declaration (klimatdeklaration), which applies to new buildings in Sweden, is the climate impact of transporting construction products from the factory to the construction site. It must be calculated using climate data from Boverket's climate database (Boverkets klimatdatabas), either directly with the database's generic A4 values or with the project's own data on distance, transport mode or actual fuel consumption. The developer (byggherre) is responsible for the declaration, which must be registered with Boverket before the municipality can issue final clearance (slutbesked).
What is the climate declaration?
Since 1 January 2022, a climate declaration must be prepared when a new building is erected in Sweden. The requirement applies to buildings for which the building permit (bygglov) application was received by the municipal building committee (byggnadsnämnden) on or after 1 January 2022, under the Swedish Act (2021:787) on climate declarations for buildings. The declaration is registered with Boverket, the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning. If you build outside Sweden, check the local requirements.
The declaration covers the construction stage, that is, modules A1–A5 under the European standard EN 15978:
- A1–A3 product stage: raw materials, transport to the factory and manufacturing
- A4 transport to the construction site
- A5 construction and installation process, which Boverket splits into A5 construction waste and A5 energy
Several buildings are exempt, including buildings with a gross floor area of no more than 100.0 m², buildings for industrial or workshop purposes, agricultural and forestry buildings, buildings with a temporary building permit of no more than two years, and buildings erected by a private individual outside a business activity. The requirement applies only when new buildings are erected (Section 2 of the Act).
What does module A4 include?
A4 covers the transport of the built-in construction products in three building parts: load-bearing structural elements, the building envelope and internal walls, from the manufacturer to the construction site. These are the same building parts that are included in A1–A3.
| Included in A4 | Not included in A4 |
|---|---|
| Transport of construction products in the structural frame, foundation, building envelope and internal walls | Transport of other construction products, such as building services installations and interior fittings |
| All legs from factory to site, for example via a builders' merchant or terminal | Transport of site huts and construction machinery to and from the site |
| Empty return trips, since they are included both in the database values and in actual fuel consumption | Transport of consumables |
| Transport of construction waste, which is reported under A5 construction waste |
For construction logistics, this means that far from all deliveries in the delivery calendar belong to A4. A delivery of precast concrete elements or facade boards does, but a delivery of site huts, scaffolding, tools or consumables does not.
How is A4 calculated?
Boverket's regulations (BFS 2021:7) state in Section 5 that generic climate data from Boverket's climate database must be used for transport to the construction site. Specific A4 values from a supplier's environmental product declaration (EPD) may not be used. What the project can replace instead is the transport data itself. Boverket describes three options:
| Option | Project's own data | Data from Boverket's climate database |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Actual fuel consumption | Fuel type and quantity consumed (litres or MJ), including the empty return | Conversion factor and climate data for the fuel |
| 2. Distance and transport mode | Distance per leg (km) and transport mode (for example truck, rail or ship) | Energy use per tonne-kilometre and climate data for the fuel |
| 3. Generic A4 value | Only the quantity of built-in product (kg) | The product's A4 value (kg CO2e per kg of product) |
Options 1 and 2 are called project-specific transport data. Climate data for fuel and energy must always be taken from Boverket's climate database. The database's energy values per tonne-kilometre are usually calculated for trucks and include empty returns.
Boverket points out that a transport chain with many legs is hard to verify, but that it is considerably easier to replace the generic A4 values when the delivery goes directly from factory to site. For composite products such as panel and volumetric elements, it is often simplest to use project-specific data.
Unlike the A1–A3 values for construction products, the transport and fuel climate data in the database are not set conservatively. The database is updated annually or as needed. The latest version, 02.07.000, was published on 21 January 2026. Always take current values from the database instead of reusing old ones.
Step by step
- Prepare the resource summary: which construction products, and how many tonnes, are built into the structural frame, foundation, building envelope and internal walls.
- Choose an option per product or product group. Use project-specific data where you have it and generic A4 values for the rest.
- Collect transport data: the supplier's address, any terminal or intermediate storage, distance, vehicle type and fuel, or actual fuel consumption from the haulier.
- Calculate per leg: tonnes × km × MJ per tonne-kilometre × kg CO2e per MJ, and add up the legs.
- Enter the result in the climate calculation together with A1–A3 and A5.
- Keep the documentation for five years.
EXAMPLE: three ways to calculate the same delivery
EXAMPLE – invented quantities and distances. The factors (1 and 1.5 MJ per tonne-kilometre, 0.0757 and 0.0204 kg CO2e per MJ, and 0.0232 kg CO2e per kg of plasterboard) are taken from Boverket's own worked examples on the page "Indata för transport" (transport input data). Always use the values that apply in the current version of Boverket's climate database.
A project builds in 50 tonnes of plasterboard. It is driven 200 km by long-haul truck to a construction logistics terminal and then 15 km by local distribution truck to the site.
| Calculation | Working | Result (EXAMPLE) |
|---|---|---|
| Option 3, generic A4 value | 50,000 kg × 0.0232 | 1,160 kg CO2e |
| Option 2, diesel all the way | (50 × 200 × 1 × 0.0757) + (50 × 15 × 1.5 × 0.0757) | 757 + 85 = 842 kg CO2e |
| Option 2, HVO100 on the long leg | (50 × 200 × 1 × 0.0204) + (50 × 15 × 1.5 × 0.0757) | 204 + 85 = 289 kg CO2e |
The example shows two things. Project-specific data can give a lower figure than the generic value, but only if the distance is actually shorter than the database's assumption. And the choice of fuel and transport mode has a large effect on the result.
Who is responsible, and when?
- The developer (byggherre) is responsible for preparing the climate declaration and registering it with Boverket, even if a consultant or contractor does the calculation.
- Final clearance (slutbesked): the building committee can issue final clearance only once the developer has shown that the declaration has been submitted, or has made it probable that none is required (Chapter 10, Section 34 of the Swedish Planning and Building Act, plan- och bygglagen).
- Timing: Boverket recommends an early climate estimate, but that the final calculation is made late, so that it reflects the building actually erected.
- Per building: each building is declared separately. Transport to a project with several buildings must therefore be allocated per building.
- Keep the documentation: calculation documentation and supporting evidence (verifikat) must be kept for five years from submission.
- Supervision: Boverket can recalculate a value that deviates significantly and can charge a penalty fee (sanktionsavgift) for incorrect information. In 2022–2025, 12.4 per cent of registered declarations were selected for supervision.
In practice, transport data comes from contractors and suppliers. Boverket gives the example of the developer requiring, already in the tender documents, that the contractor supply documentation and supporting evidence.
What happens in 2028 and 2030?
In May 2026, Boverket submitted a proposal to the Swedish Government to replace today's climate declaration with new requirements in the Planning and Building Act, in order to implement the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD):
- Climate impact over the whole life cycle must be reported from 1 January 2028 for new buildings over 1,000 m² and from 1 January 2030 for all new buildings covered.
- Limit values for the construction stage (A1–A5) are proposed to apply from 1 January 2030, at 150–250 kg CO2e/m² gross floor area (BTA) for building types with reference values and 295 kg CO2e/m² BTA for other buildings.
These are proposals, not rules in force. The consultation period ended on 23 October 2026 and the matter is now being prepared in the Government Offices of Sweden (Regeringskansliet). Levels and dates may change.
Common mistakes
- Including the wrong transport. Site huts, machinery, scaffolding and consumables should not be included in A4.
- Using the supplier's A4 value from an EPD. This is not permitted for A4.
- Forgetting the empty return when calculating with actual fuel consumption.
- Using climate data from other databases for fuels. Only Boverket's climate database applies.
- Counting transport of waste in A4. It belongs to A5 construction waste.
- Not splitting per building in projects with several buildings.
- Collecting transport data after the fact. Distances and vehicle types are hard to reconstruct months later.
- Not keeping the documentation for five years.
How construction logistics reduces A4 emissions
How much a measure shows in the declaration depends on the calculation method. With generic A4 values (option 3), only the quantity of material shows. With distance and transport mode (option 2), the choice of supplier, route, transport mode and fuel shows. With actual fuel consumption (option 1), load factor and empty running also show.
- Load consolidation. Fewer, fuller trucks reduce actual fuel consumption per tonne.
- Construction logistics terminals. Long transports with full trucks to a terminal, then a short, coordinated final delivery. With a terminal, the legs are also clearly documented.
- Less empty running. Plan return loads and avoid trucks driving back because the unloading area was occupied.
- Delivery booking. Booked time slots, unloading zones and gates reduce queues, idling and extra trips around the site.
- Closer suppliers and other fuels. Boverket itself mentions the option of choosing a supplier located closer, or of requiring a different fuel or transport mode.
- Direct deliveries from the factory. These are the easiest to verify with project-specific data.
How LogiPlan helps
LogiPlan is a construction logistics system. In LogiPlan Site, contractors and suppliers book their deliveries in a shared delivery calendar with unloading zones, gates and resources. LogiPlan Terminal handles terminals and warehousing. For the climate declaration, LogiPlan collects transport data from the delivery bookings and calculates climate impact according to part A4 of the climate declaration, with searchable supplier addresses and automatic distance calculation. The statistics show CO2 and CO2e emissions for projects that have enabled emissions registration in delivery booking.
This gives you ongoing documentation during construction instead of collecting it after the fact. The developer is still responsible for the declaration and for making sure the right deliveries (construction products in the structural frame, foundation, building envelope and internal walls) are counted.
Want to see how it works in your project? Book a demo or email info@logiplan.se.
Frequently asked questions about climate declaration A4
What is module A4 in the climate declaration?
A4 is the climate impact of transporting construction products from the factory to the construction site. In the Swedish climate declaration, it covers the built-in products in load-bearing structural elements, the building envelope and internal walls.
Can a supplier's EPD be used for A4?
No. Specific climate data from an EPD may not be used for A4. However, the project's own transport data, such as distance, transport mode or actual fuel consumption, may be combined with fuel climate data from Boverket's climate database.
Is transport of site huts and machinery included in A4?
No. Transport of site huts, construction machinery and consumables is not included in A4 of the climate declaration.
Who is responsible for the climate declaration?
The developer (byggherre) is responsible for preparing it and registering it with Boverket, even if someone else does the calculation.
When must the climate declaration be submitted?
It must be registered with Boverket before the building committee can issue final clearance (slutbesked). Boverket recommends making the final calculation late so that it reflects the completed building.
Which buildings require a climate declaration?
New buildings in Sweden for which a building permit was applied for on or after 1 January 2022. Exemptions include buildings of no more than 100.0 m² gross floor area (BTA), industrial and workshop buildings, agricultural buildings, buildings with a temporary building permit of no more than two years, and buildings erected by private individuals outside a business activity.
Are there limit values for the climate declaration?
Not today. Boverket has proposed limit values for the construction stage A1–A5 from 1 January 2030. The proposal was out for consultation until 23 October 2026 and has not been decided.
How long must the documentation be kept?
For five years from submission of the climate declaration.
A4 checklist
- Decide early who collects the transport data, and write it into the tender documents and contracts.
- List the construction products in the structural frame, foundation, building envelope and internal walls, and their weight.
- Mark which deliveries belong to A4 and which do not.
- Record the supplier's address, any terminal, vehicle type and fuel with every booking.
- Ask the haulier for actual fuel consumption, including the empty return, where possible.
- Take energy and fuel values from the current version of Boverket's climate database.
- Allocate transport per building.
- Keep calculation documentation and supporting evidence for five years.
- Follow the Swedish Government's decision on the proposed requirements for 2028 and 2030.
Sources
All sources are in Swedish.
- Lag (2021:787) om klimatdeklaration för byggnader, riksdagen.se: https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/lag-2021787-om-klimatdeklaration-for-byggnader_sfs-2021-787/
- Boverkets föreskrifter (BFS 2021:7) om klimatdeklaration för byggnader: https://rinfo.boverket.se/BFS2021-7/pdf/BFS2021-7.pdf
- Boverket, Indata för transport: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/gor-sa-har/underlag/indata-transport/
- Boverket, Klimatdeklarationens omfattning: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/gor-sa-har/omfattning/
- Boverket, Dessa byggnader ska klimatdeklareras: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/vilka-byggnader/ska-deklareras/
- Boverket, Dessa byggnader behöver inte klimatdeklareras: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/vilka-byggnader/inte-deklareras/
- Boverket, När ska en klimatdeklaration lämnas in?: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/gor-sa-har/faststall-tidpunkt/
- Boverket, Spara underlag: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/gor-sa-har/spara-underlag/
- Boverket, Klimatdata till beräkningen: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/gor-sa-har/underlag/klimatdata-till-berakningen/
- Boverket, Om Boverkets klimatdatabas: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/klimatdatabas/om-klimatdatabas/
- Boverket, Ny version av Boverkets klimatdatabas publicerad (21 januari 2026): https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/om-klimatdeklaration/nyheter/ny-version-klimatdatabas/
- Boverket, Uppföljning och statistik om klimatdeklarationer: https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/om-klimatdeklaration/nyheter/uppfoljning-klimatdeklarationer/
- Boverket, Regler om livscykel-GWP och gränsvärden för byggnaders klimatpåverkan (20 maj 2026): https://www.boverket.se/sv/klimatdeklaration/om-klimatdeklaration/nyheter/regler-om-livscykel-gwp-och-gransvarden-for-byggnaders--klimatpaverkan/
- Boverket, Uppdrag om livscykel-GWP och gränsvärden i EPBD: https://www.boverket.se/sv/om-boverket/boverkets-uppdrag-och-styrning/aktuella-uppdrag/avslutade-uppdrag/direktiv-for-byggnaders-energiprestanda/gwp-och-gransvarden/
- Regeringen, Remiss av Regler om livscykel-GWP och gränsvärden för byggnaders klimatpåverkan (LI2026/01167): https://www.regeringen.se/remisser/2026/06/remiss-av-regler-om-livscykel-gwp-och-gransvarden-for-byggnaders-klimatpaverkan/
Last reviewed 24 October 2026.