This Used Heavy- Duty Vehicles and the Environment: A Global Overview of Used Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Flow, Scale and Regulation report analyses the flow and scale of used heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) from three major used HDVs exporters – Japan, the European Union (EU) and Republic of Korea (ROK). It also reviews the regulatory environment for used HDVs import in 146 countries, 122 of which are low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). The major exporters of HDVs (used & new) are the EU, Japan, Republic of Korea (ROK), Mexico, the US, and China. However, while China manufactures 67% of global HDVs, its share of used HDV exports was only 8% in 2020. This is changing rapidly as the policy to expand used vehicles exports is being implemented and from 2022 more than 30 cities in China have been approved to export used vehicles globally. The EU on the other hand exported about 46% of used HDVs (2020) while contributing to about 6% of global HDVs manufacturing. Thus, while the worldwide HDV manufacturing market shifted from Western Europe and North America to emerging economies in the last two decades, used HDVs exporters are primarily high-income economies.
The UK construction industry is under sustained pressure as the PMI shows eight consecutive months of decline. The downturn is holding back sustainable construction, especially in relation to whole life carbon assessment and the scaling of net zero carbon buildings. High borrowing costs and subdued demand are limiting the ability of developers to invest in low carbon design and sustainable building practices, leaving the transition to greener infrastructure increasingly exposed to financial headwinds.
Interest in alternative materials is rising to address embodied carbon in materials and the carbon footprint of construction. Hempcrete is gaining momentum as a renewable building material and eco-friendly construction option. Its carbon-negative profile and strong insulation performance position it as an important tool for reducing the environmental impact of construction. Market forecasts project significant growth as policymakers and developers focus on low embodied carbon materials and whole life carbon reduction strategies.
SOCOTEC’s recent acquisition of Lloyds Datum Group highlights the growing importance of reliable data in environmental sustainability in construction. Monitoring geotechnical and structural performance directly informs building lifecycle performance and supports circular construction strategies. Strengthened capacity in sustainability-focused infrastructure testing underlines how circular economy principles and lifecycle assessment are being embedded in compliance and project delivery.
The steel supply chain is shifting with Tata Steel UK progressing towards an electric arc furnace to reduce carbon intensity. Since steel is central to green construction and eco-design for buildings, this transition could accelerate the drive to net zero whole life carbon. The initiative raises questions of life cycle cost, workforce transition, and the pathway to a balanced model of decarbonising the built environment.
Global climate finance reached $137 billion in 2024, with low carbon infrastructure and sustainable urban development at its core. Funding for energy-efficient buildings and eco-design for buildings strengthens commitments to reducing the carbon footprint of construction. Unequal distribution persists, with emerging economies receiving less support, slowing international ambitions for carbon neutral construction and sustainable architecture.
Policy frameworks in the Middle East and Africa continue to push renewable energy targets that will underpin sustainable building design and green infrastructure. The emphasis remains on enhancing resource efficiency in construction and sustainable material specification. Delivering these frameworks into tangible low carbon buildings is critical to achieving net zero carbon and embedding green building materials into future city planning.
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