Kimberly-Clark has introduced green hydrogen boilers to its manufacturing operations, reducing carbon emissions by over 28,000 tonnes each year. This shift supports the decarbonising of the built environment by cutting the carbon footprint of construction-related supply chains. Industrial processes play a vital role in achieving net zero whole life carbon, underlining the importance of resource efficiency in construction and the specification of low embodied carbon materials.

In Glasgow, the conversion of the historic Teacher building into serviced apartments has reaffirmed the value of adaptive reuse. Extending the life of existing assets avoids unnecessary demolition, directly lowering embodied carbon in materials and promoting life cycle thinking in construction. Developers are increasingly turning to sustainable building design and eco-design for buildings as ways to accelerate circular construction strategies while reducing the carbon footprint of construction.

Global supply chains for renewable energy transition minerals are coming under closer scrutiny, with technology now able to trace materials like lithium and cobalt back to their origins. These advances will influence low carbon construction materials sourcing and support broader goals in circular economy in construction. Cleaner supply chains are essential for delivering low-impact construction and improving building lifecycle performance.

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association has strengthened its political engagement to help shape future low carbon design and infrastructure standards. With environmental sustainability in construction under increasing policy focus, whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment are becoming critical tools for net zero carbon buildings and sustainable building practices aimed at reducing the environmental impact of construction.

Councils in Devon have expanded electric vehicle fleets for municipal services, paving the way for more eco-friendly construction operations and greener supply chains. Transitioning towards electrified fleets contributes to carbon footprint reduction and underlines the move towards sustainable urban development, low carbon building practices, and the wider goal of decarbonising the built environment.

These developments highlight a clear trend: sustainable construction is increasingly evaluated through the lens of whole life carbon and life cycle cost, with decisions driven by sustainability, net zero whole life carbon targets and circular economy strategies. The industry is moving decisively towards green construction, sustainable design, and carbon neutral construction models that prioritise environmental product declarations (EPDs), renewable building materials, and end-of-life reuse in construction.