Brussels is advancing environmental sustainability in construction by launching pilot measures to stabilise Europe’s plastics recycling market. The construction sector, a major consumer of polymers for membranes, insulation and piping, could see steadier prices and secure access to recycled and low embodied carbon materials. This shift supports broader circular economy in construction objectives and aligns with sustainable building practices that prioritise lifecycle assessment and resource efficiency in construction. As markets evolve, procurement teams are expected to refine environmental product declarations (EPDs) and adopt whole life carbon assessment strategies to ensure genuine carbon footprint reduction throughout the supply chain.

Capital investment continues to define the pace of sustainable construction. Nearly half of industry leaders in sustainable building design identify upfront cost and limited financing as the greatest barriers to decarbonising the built environment. The gap between ambition and implementation endangers progress toward net zero whole life carbon targets and delays retrofitting projects that could lower the carbon footprint of construction. Greater alignment between lenders, clients and government incentives is essential to achieve measurable reductions in embodied carbon in materials and to promote life cycle cost transparency.

The voluntary carbon market is gaining maturity as developers prioritise high‑quality credits. Selective use of verified offsets could help address residual embodied carbon while driving innovation in carbon neutral construction and renewable building materials. A recent UK carbon removal funding round highlights how evidence‑based sequestration supports a circular economy and reinforces life cycle thinking in construction.

On site, momentum is building: a leading sustainable housebuilder has secured a 13.9‑acre plot in Hertfordshire to deliver low carbon building designs at scale. The project exemplifies how low carbon design, eco‑friendly construction and BREEAM certification underpin sustainable urban development. With circular construction strategies moving from discussion to delivery, the sector’s focus now rests on achieving net zero carbon buildings that demonstrate long‑term building lifecycle performance and tangible progress in decarbonising the built environment.