A global assessment of the world’s top real estate investment managers has revealed widespread failure to consider whole life carbon in their sustainability plans. These firms, managing a combined $1.66 trillion in assets, are largely neglecting emissions from critical sources such as construction activities and tenancy operations. This oversight undermines efforts to deliver net zero Whole Life Carbon targets across the built environment and raises substantial regulatory and financial risks,...

A growing trend of greenhushing in the construction sector has raised concerns over transparency in climate commitments. According to the Green Claims Pulse Survey, over one third of professionals in construction and real estate report actively dialling down public disclosures of sustainability claims. As scrutiny intensifies over the embodied carbon in materials and net zero whole life carbon targets, withholding climate information may undermine sector credibility and delay regulatory...

Retrofitting existing homes is emerging as a critical strategy in sustainable construction, with a new guide highlighting practical measures to enhance energy efficiency in older buildings. Emphasis is placed on improved insulation, heat pump installation and adopting low-carbon heating systems. These steps align with net zero whole life carbon goals and highlight the importance of decarbonising the built environment through low carbon design and sustainable building practices, particularly...

A £200 million hydrogen-from-waste plant has been announced at Thames Freeport in London, marking a significant contribution to sustainable construction. By converting non-recyclable waste into hydrogen fuel, the facility targets reduced emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy construction and transport. This approach directly supports Whole Life Carbon Assessment strategies by lowering operational emissions and promoting Circular Economy in construction. Trinity Energy and...

Global attention to sustainable construction is intensifying ahead of COP29, as governments face increasing pressure to integrate whole life carbon assessments into their national climate strategies. Campaigns like #BeBoldOnBuildings are urging countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions with specific measures targeting the built environment. With construction responsible for close to 40% of global carbon emissions, embedding environmental sustainability in construction is...

Calls for bolder action on sustainable construction policies are intensifying in the lead-up to COP29. Advocates are urging governments to embed legally binding targets for Whole Life Carbon and embodied carbon into national climate plans. Central to this call is the integration of Whole Life Carbon Assessment across all building types and scales, backed by lifecycle assessment requirements. By aligning building regulations more closely with lifecycle performance and carbon footprint reduction,...

At COP29, global leaders and campaigners highlighted the critical role of construction in climate action, calling for ambitious updates to national climate plans that directly address emissions from the built environment. The "Be Bold on Buildings" campaign stressed the need for strong policy and mandatory targets to drive net zero Whole Life Carbon outcomes. With almost 40% of global emissions linked to buildings and infrastructure, implementing consistent Whole Life Carbon Assessments is...

GID’s 2024 Responsible Investments Report signals a shift towards sustainable construction by prioritising low-carbon construction strategies and retrofitting within its $30 billion real estate portfolio. The focus aligns with increased industry attention to Whole Life Carbon and Embodied Carbon in materials. The move marks a clear step toward net zero Whole Life Carbon objectives and reflects broader adoption of sustainable building practices across international property markets. The...

GID has released its 2024 Responsible Investments Report, highlighting a commitment to integrating environmental sustainability in construction across global developments. The firm is prioritising BREEAM certifications and energy efficiency measures to reduce the carbon footprint of construction. These steps directly support goals for net zero Whole Life Carbon and reflect a shift toward sustainable building design aligned with Whole Life Carbon Assessment principles. Terra Firma Energy...

GID, a US-based real estate investment firm managing over $30 billion in assets, has released its 2024 Responsible Investments Report, signalling a stronger integration of sustainable building design into institutional property portfolios. While lacking detailed construction performance data, the report reflects the growing role of environmental sustainability in construction as asset managers align portfolios with low carbon design principles and net zero Whole Life Carbon goals, positioning...