The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR), published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), provides an annual snapshot of the progress of the buildings and construction sector on a global scale. The Buildings-GSR reviews the status of policies, finance, technologies and solutions to monitor whether the sector is aligned with the Paris Agreement goals. The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025 - Not just another brick in the wall highlights progress made on related global climate goals and calls for greater ambition on six challenges, including building energy codes, renewable energy, and financing. Global frameworks and initiatives such as Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate, the Buildings Breakthrough and the Declaration de Chaillot are sustaining momentum towards adopting ambitious climate action plans, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), for net-zero buildings ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil. Despite this progress, the sector remains a key driver of the climate crisis, consuming 32 per cent of global energy and contributing to 34 per cent of global CO2 emissions. The sector is dependent on materials like cement and steel that are responsible for 18% of global emissions and are a major source of construction waste.
The UK construction sector is undergoing a structural transformation as sustainability becomes integral to policy and practice. Government planning reforms embedding environmental sustainability in construction within the promise of 1.5 million new homes indicate that sustainable building design and eco‑design for buildings are no longer peripheral ambitions. By linking planning approval to detailed whole life carbon assessments and life cycle cost reviews, developers must now demonstrate measurable progress toward net zero whole life carbon housing delivery.
The shift toward circular economy in construction principles is tangible through mandatory Circular Economy Statements, which require proof of resource efficiency in construction and end‑of‑life reuse in construction. This marks a decisive move from voluntary reporting to quantifiable performance, reinforcing circular construction strategies that favour low carbon construction materials, renewable building materials and verified environmental product declarations (EPDs). Such accountability is reshaping how embodied carbon in materials and the total carbon footprint of construction are assessed across the supply chain.
Technical progress is matched by regulatory tightening. Enhanced enforcement by environmental authorities signals that compliance with carbon neutral construction standards and reduced environmental impact of construction is now a prerequisite for planning success. As breeam v7 and emerging lifecycle assessment frameworks evolve, decarbonising the built environment depends on integrating sustainable building practices with verifiable performance metrics.
Investment in human capital remains the defining constraint. The urgent demand for skilled labour in low‑carbon engineering and advanced manufacturing highlights the labour market’s pivotal role in achieving net zero carbon buildings and delivering scalable green construction. Training initiatives targeting welders, surveyors and engineers must underpin the expansion of low carbon building capacity and ensure that sustainable urban development can progress from aspiration to built reality.
The emerging consensus is that sustainable construction is defined by data‑driven outcomes—measured building lifecycle performance, accurate whole life carbon accounting and achievable carbon footprint reduction. The sector’s credibility hinges on whether policy, technology and people can sustain this momentum toward a resilient, low‑impact built environment.
Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do
get in touch.
Let's chat!
WLC Assistant
Ask me about sustainability
Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?