Europe’s investment shortfall is now strategic risk. BloombergNEF estimates $1.3 trillion a year is required across the UK, Norway and the EU to reach net zero by 2050, demanding rapid decarbonising the built environment with disciplined whole life carbon management, robust whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment of both operational and embodied carbon. Capital should target measures with clear life cycle cost benefits and stronger building lifecycle performance, combining circular economy and circular economy in construction with circular construction strategies such as resource efficiency in construction, end-of-life reuse in construction and the use of low embodied carbon materials, low carbon construction materials, green building materials and renewable building materials under a rigorous sustainable material specification. Supply chains should rely on environmental product declarations (epds) to verify claims. This is how sustainable construction and sustainable building design deliver environmental sustainability in construction and achieve net zero carbon targets.
Show More
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.
Ask me about sustainability
