In the second full year of the program, UrbanShift, the Global Environment Facility-funded partnership led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), scaled up its two-pillar approach to advancing integrated urban planning approaches through on-the-ground engagement with cities and capacity-strengthening across the sector, built around eight essential focus areas that collectively reflect best practices for creating sustainable, equitable and livable cities. Spanning around 30 events that reached over 2,300 people and the launch of essential resources like the Online City Academy, the Geospatial Indicators Dashboard and the Guide to Public-Private Collaboration in the Global South, 2022-2023 was a momentous year for Urban Shift. This second Annual Report dives into progress made on the ground in the 23 cities within the UrbanShift network and highlights standout moments from UrbanShift's Global Platform activities.
Europe faces an urgent challenge in cutting the carbon footprint of construction. Research finds that only a complete overhaul of EU building stock will meet new emissions reduction targets for 2030. Deeper upgrades in energy performance, accelerated use of low carbon construction materials and investment in sustainable building design are highlighted as essential. Policymakers and developers are being urged to embed Whole Life Carbon thinking into renovation programmes, ensuring that both operational and embodied carbon are reduced at pace.
In the UK, the Retirement Villages Group is moving ahead with net zero carbon buildings, underpinned by science-based targets that include Whole Life Carbon Assessment and robust sustainability metrics. Their approach prioritises sustainable construction for an ageing population through eco-design for buildings, renewable building materials and energy-efficient buildings. This alignment of ambition with delivery demonstrates how sustainable building practices can serve both social demand and environmental sustainability in construction.
Debate is intensifying across Europe over sustainable finance and reporting rules. More than 200 companies are pressing lawmakers not to dilute requirements for ESG transparency. For the construction sector, where life cycle cost, lifecycle assessment and embodied carbon in materials are under close scrutiny, regression in policy could slow progress. Stronger enforcement is seen as vital to support sustainable material specification, environmental product declarations (EPDs) and carbon footprint reduction.
Digital platforms are reshaping environmental sustainability in construction by enabling real-time monitoring on site. Enhanced data improves material optimisation, reduces waste and tracks energy use, supporting lifecycle assessment and building lifecycle performance. These tools are quietly accelerating carbon footprint reduction and supporting low-impact construction through resource efficiency in construction and circular construction strategies.
Acquisitions and consolidation in the compliance and testing market underline a growing priority for credible assessment of low carbon building performance. SOCOTEC’s purchase of a structural monitoring specialist highlights increasing demand for reliable data to support Whole Life Carbon Assessment and green finance compliance. Accurate building lifecycle performance analysis is becoming essential as developers prove commitments to carbon neutral construction.
Global climate negotiations are placing construction at the centre of decarbonising the built environment. Campaigners are calling for low carbon design, Circular Economy in construction and net zero Whole Life Carbon strategies to become mainstream policy tools. Infrastructure and buildings are expected to dominate the agenda in the run-up to COP30, reinforcing the message that sustainable construction and eco-friendly construction are no longer optional but central to climate action.
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