Recent data shows the UK construction sector has entered its eighth consecutive month of decline. Analysts point to broader economic uncertainty and disruption in adopting low carbon design as key drags. Ambiguity around net zero Whole Life Carbon policies and slower integration of low Embodied Carbon materials are delaying progress, creating pressures on sustainable construction projects that require clarity on Whole Life Carbon Assessment and long-term Life Cycle Costing. The impact highlights the urgency of embedding environmental sustainability in construction through stronger governance and more consistent regulation.

Bio-based alternatives are gaining market share with hempcrete advancing from niche innovation to mainstream adoption. Forecasts suggest steady global growth to 2033, positioning hempcrete as a recognised low carbon building material that contributes to net zero carbon buildings. Its ability to reduce Embodied Carbon in materials, improve thermal efficiency, and deliver eco-friendly construction performance is attracting investor confidence. Framing hempcrete as part of a Circular Economy in construction reflects its potential as a renewable building material supporting sustainable building practices.

In infrastructure services, SOCOTEC’s acquisition of Lloyds Datum Group strengthens capability in foundation testing and structural monitoring. Enhanced assessment of building lifecycle performance is now critical as project teams pursue resilient, energy-efficient buildings aligned with sustainable building design. Monitoring technologies enable more accurate lifecycle assessment, resource efficiency in construction, and improved environmental product declarations (EPDs), all of which underpin sustainable material specification and decarbonising the built environment.

Centrica’s partnership with X-energy to develop Advanced Modular Reactors signals a shift in construction energy strategies. By integrating a stable, low carbon power supply into industrial and urban projects, large-scale developments can align with the transition to carbon neutral construction. Nuclear applications of this scale underscore the role of low carbon construction materials and design approaches in reducing the carbon footprint of construction while supporting Whole Life Carbon goals.

Government funding of £1.1 billion for greener ports and shipping raises prospects for green infrastructure and energy-efficient port buildings. Though outside traditional construction, investment in retrofits and low-impact construction for maritime facilities demonstrates the rising importance of sustainable urban development. Life cycle thinking in construction is central here, where end-of-life reuse in construction and Circular Economy strategies become vital to reducing the environmental impact of construction across the supply chain.

In emerging markets, momentum continues to build around frameworks to unlock financing for low impact, eco-design for buildings. Reports stress that developers are ready to adopt sustainable architecture and sustainable building practices when attractive capital structures are in place. Scaling up Circular Economy strategies, reducing the Carbon Footprint of Construction, and committing to net zero Whole Life Carbon targets remain fundamental to enabling sustainable design and ensuring resilience in global building projects.