Leading firms in the construction sector are advancing sustainable construction initiatives with major investments in carbon capture and storage (CCS). Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies are expanding Norway's Northern Lights CCS facility with a £575 million injection to triple existing carbon storage capacity. This significant step supports global efforts towards whole life carbon reduction and the industry's wider decarbonisation goals. New research by Ordnance Survey demonstrates tangible...

Shell, Equinor, and TotalEnergies have announced a substantial $710 million expansion of Norway's Northern Lights carbon capture and storage project. This ambitious venture reflects Europe's ongoing commitment to combating climate change through innovative carbon management solutions. Such investment underscores the crucial role of technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) within the broader sustainable construction and environmental sustainability in construction agendas, driving...

The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has issued a draft update of its Net-Zero Standard 2.0, significantly reshaping corporate decarbonisation practices. The revised guidelines help companies, including those in sustainable construction and building, to establish clearer and more rigorous net zero carbon roadmaps. The update emphasises greater climate accountability, encourages robust action to lower embodied carbon and whole life carbon, and pushes firms to reduce reliance on...

The UK government is exploring mandatory reporting requirements aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), aiming to advance sustainability through greener GDP metrics. This highlights growing recognition of environmental sustainability in construction, encouraging the sector towards sustainable building practices and responsible management of natural capital. Embedding nature-focussed reporting into regulations can significantly encourage sustainable urban...

Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies have announced significant progress on their carbon capture project, Northern Lights, which is set to become operational off Norway's west coast this summer. With an additional investment of $714 million, the expanded development will inject industrial carbon dioxide deep underground, supporting Europe's goals for emission reduction and industrial decarbonisation. This initiative contributes positively towards carbon footprint reduction and environmental...

MPs in the UK have opened an inquiry to assess whether the government's support for airport expansions at Heathrow and London City Airport aligns with legally mandated sustainability and climate commitments. This investigation will scrutinise how these high-profile construction projects measure up to the UK's targets for whole life carbon reduction and lowering embodied carbon emissions, amid increased political and public attention on the environmental impact of construction. The UK...

Businesses worldwide are increasingly addressing the urgent need to upskill their workforces to achieve ambitious sustainability and net zero carbon goals. Experts at the recent edie25 event in London emphasised the importance of broadening green skill sets within organisations to enhance sustainable building practices and sustainable design. This shift towards employee upskilling is crucial for businesses, providing both challenges and opportunities for sustainability leadership. Kingfisher,...

Recent innovations in sustainable construction include the unveiling of self-healing road surfaces, a promising advancement set to significantly reduce potholes. This development represents progress towards sustainable building practices and highlights the increasing role of technology and green building materials in reducing construction-related carbon footprints. Self-repairing road infrastructure could substantially decrease maintenance costs and the overall environmental impact of...

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has recently completed a significant zero-carbon housing scheme in East Greenwich, marking notable progress towards its ambitious goal of delivering 1,750 sustainably designed council homes. This project exemplifies UK's commitment to sustainable construction initiatives by actively aiming to minimise whole life carbon and embodied carbon. Such practical schemes provide valuable lessons globally, demonstrating how sustainable design and energy-efficient buildings...

The UK government has been instructed by the High Court to provide a revised climate plan by the end of October 2025, after the existing Carbon Budget Delivery Plan was ruled unlawful. The strategy must identify clear policies supporting carbon footprint reduction targets into the 2030s, marking a notable advancement towards net zero carbon commitments. This decision emphasises ongoing pressure on government accountability regarding sustainability and the environmental impact of construction...