In 2025, we face the most sweeping changes to environmental requirements for public procurement that we have ever seen. With an environmental weighting of up to 30% of the total tender evaluation, these requirements have become a decisive factor in winning public tenders. Let’s take a closer look at what this means for your business.
The biggest change in 2025 is the significant increase in the weighting of environmental considerations, which can now account for up to 30% of the total tender evaluation. This is followed by significantly stricter documentation requirements, where suppliers must be able to refer to concrete figures and measurements. Circular economy has taken on a central role, and companies must now document how their products or services contribute to a more circular value chain.
From 2025, Norwegian companies with an average annual energy consumption of at least 2.5 GWh must conduct detailed energy audits. It is no longer sufficient to refer to general energy figures – companies must be able to document energy use in detail, identify areas for improvement and assess energy efficiency measures. This also includes an assessment of renewable energy sources and how these can be integrated into operations and production.
Documentation requirements for CO₂ emissions have been significantly tightened, with an increased focus on detailed climate accounts that include both direct and indirect emissions – as well as plans for emission reductions over time. At the same time, the European Commission has proposed to limit the scope of CSRD requirements, which could reduce the number of reporting entities by up to 80%.
This could lead to fewer companies being covered by statutory reporting, but public procurement and tenders will continue to increasingly demand climate documentation. Having control over your own emissions and documenting this is therefore still an important competitive advantage – even for businesses not covered by CSRD.
Circular solutions are in focus when it comes to material use. Companies must be able to provide concrete figures for reuse and recycling, as well as document how they actively choose environmentally friendly materials in their processes and products.
An approved environmental management system is no longer optional – it has become a basic requirement for participating in public tenders. This must be supported by relevant environmental certifications and an updated climate account. Your environmental action plan must be concrete and measurable, with clear milestones and responsible persons for each area.
ISO 14001 certification has become a de facto standard in many industries, while the Environmental Lighthouse continues to be relevant for small and medium-sized businesses. BREEAM certification has gained increasing importance, especially in the construction industry. It is important to choose certifications that are relevant to your industry and that can document your company's environmental efforts in a credible way.
A thorough assessment of your current situation is the first step towards meeting the new requirements. This is followed by a detailed gap analysis that identifies areas that require improvement. Your action plan must be realistic and feasible, with a focus on continuous competency development within the organization.
Many companies find the new documentation requirements complex and resource-intensive. Implementing digital tools and systems can simplify this process significantly. For smaller companies, the resource requirements can be challenging, but a phased implementation can make the process more manageable.
Experience shows that those who are most successful start adapting to new requirements early. By involving the entire organization in environmental work, a culture of sustainability is created that makes it easier to meet future requirements. Good routines for continuous documentation are essential.
The EU's Green Deal is increasingly influencing Norwegian environmental requirements, and we can expect further tightening in the coming years. Technological solutions for environmental documentation are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and it is important to keep up with developments in your industry.
Are you unsure how your company will meet the new environmental requirements? Energihuset has extensive experience in helping companies through this process. Contact us for a non-binding conversation about how we can help you succeed with the tender process in 2025
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