A recent report by BSRIA stresses that construction retrofit projects are consistently underperforming due to overlooked communication with occupants. Insulation and energy-efficient buildings must be matched with clear education on how to use new systems. Success in achieving net zero Whole Life Carbon will depend not only on technical improvements but also on behavioural change. Without this integration, the carbon footprint of construction remains underestimated and long-term targets for...

New findings indicate a persistent gap in sustainable construction practices. Research highlights that retrofit projects designed to cut emissions often overlook the role of building users. Without educating occupants on the operation of greener retrofit systems, from heat pumps to smart controls, energy-efficient buildings risk falling short of performance targets. Addressing this issue is fundamental to realising true Whole Life Carbon savings and ensuring that energy optimisation translates...

Global construction faces sharper focus as new research warns retrofit programmes risk missing their targets when building occupants are left out of the process. Evidence shows that user behaviour plays a decisive role in energy efficiency outcomes. Post-occupancy engagement must be woven into sustainable building design to achieve net zero Whole Life Carbon targets. Without clear communication and education, even projects that optimise Embodied Carbon in materials or pursue eco-design for...

Retrofit remains central to sustainable construction, yet research shows many projects underdeliver when building occupants are not properly equipped to use systems efficiently. Heat pumps, smart controls and low carbon design features lose impact if users lack guidance, undermining the intention of reducing embodied carbon and improving building lifecycle performance. Whole life carbon assessment must factor in how operational use can either secure or erode results, reinforcing that...

The regeneration of Sighthill in Glasgow is moving forward at scale, led by Keepmoat, with hundreds of new energy‑efficient homes and major infrastructure improvements. The scheme highlights sustainable urban development in practice, with strong focus on community links, job creation and low carbon building standards. Delivering housing with reduced Whole Life Carbon is central to driving environmental sustainability in construction across the UK. In Glastonbury, Beard...

Progress towards sustainable construction is uneven yet gathering momentum. The UK government has launched Great British Energy, aimed at publicly owned clean energy generation. While not construction-specific, its success by 2030 could transform the carbon footprint of construction by providing a cleaner grid. A stable low-carbon energy supply underpins sustainable building design and supports net zero whole life carbon ambitions across the built environment. In the United States, financial...

Government advisors and leading industry groups are pressing the UK to transform infrastructure delivery by placing retrofit, reuse and recycling at the forefront of policy. Proposals to remove VAT on retrofitting aim to accelerate uptake of circular economy strategies while embedding circular economy in construction. This approach links directly with Whole Life Carbon Assessment and lifecycle assessment, highlighting that extending the life of existing assets often delivers greater carbon...

A growing policy push is urging construction to integrate circular economy principles at scale. The Environmental Industries Commission has pressed the UK government to exempt retrofitting from VAT to accelerate sustainable building design. Calls to enshrine whole life carbon assessment in infrastructure projects align with demands for stronger recycling, reuse, and resource efficiency in construction. Targeting embodied carbon in materials is becoming central to net zero Whole Life Carbon...

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has launched a global consultation on sustainable construction standards to address inconsistent adoption of frameworks across markets. This move directly impacts how whole life carbon and embodied carbon in materials are measured and reported. Establishing a consistent whole life carbon assessment is crucial to driving environmental sustainability in construction and setting reliable benchmarks for low carbon building and infrastructure. A...

Peel Waters has submitted a new planning application for Mea Park West, a major part of the Wirral Waters regeneration scheme in the UK. The development is centred on low carbon design, featuring green infrastructure, cycle networks, and public realm improvements. Positioned as one of the country’s most ambitious projects, the expansion is expected to strengthen sustainable building practices while supporting net zero carbon ambitions and local employment. The project reflects a shift towards...