Ressourcehensyn

Ressourcehensyn is a planning and policy concept used in Denmark and parts of Scandinavia that refers to giving priority to the conservation and efficient use of natural resources in decision making. It is expressed as a guiding principle in environmental planning, infrastructure projects, construction, and public procurement, with the aim of reducing resource consumption and environmental impact over a project’s lifecycle.

The concept emphasizes lifecycle thinking: evaluating how materials are extracted, processed, used, reused, and finally discarded, as well as how energy, water, land, and biodiversity are affected. Practically, ressourcehensyn leads to actions such as selecting durable and repairable materials, prioritizing the use of secondary or recycled materials, reducing embodied energy, maximizing reuse of soil and aggregates, and designing for modularity and long-term adaptability. It also encourages minimizing land use, protecting ecosystems, and promoting energy efficiency and waste reduction.

In governance, ressoursehensyn is integrated into planning guidelines, environmental assessments, and zoning processes, and is often linked to broader goals like sustainable development and the circular economy. It can be operationalized through indicators, procurement criteria, building codes, and requirements for resource accounting or material passporting.

Challenges include measuring resource use across complex supply chains, balancing cost and schedule with long-term resource benefits, and aligning local practices with national or international sustainability targets. Despite these challenges, ressourcehensyn serves as a framework for steering public and private projects toward more resource-efficient and resilient outcomes.