The world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant is now operational, representing a major step for the decarbonising of the global shipping industry. E-methanol, created from renewable electricity and captured carbon, could reduce the carbon footprint of construction by offering the shipping sector and other carbon-intensive industries a realistic alternative to fossil fuels. This innovation highlights the significance of whole life carbon analysis and low carbon construction materials as...

The UK government has introduced new planning regulations this month, aiming to speed up the adoption of heat pumps in homes as part of its Warm Homes Plan. These regulations are designed to remove barriers faced by installers and make low carbon energy solutions more available to homeowners, directly supporting the decarbonising of the built environment. Energy-efficient buildings and low carbon building upgrades are central to this commitment, furthering the UK’s progress toward net zero...

The construction industry is accelerating its shift towards environmental sustainability in construction and resilience, with a growing focus on the use of non-combustible building materials. Recent events, such as increased wildfires in California, underline the need for sustainable building design that withstands natural disasters and advances climate and clean air goals. This direction supports the adoption of whole life carbon assessment and low embodied carbon materials, ensuring...

Recent sustainability news shows increasing momentum for green construction and sustainable building design worldwide. In the UK, the government is progressing with green hydrogen initiatives, while Black & Veatch leverages their engineering expertise to support shortlisted projects in Hydrogen Allocation Round 2. Despite these advances, the complexity of green hydrogen’s role is underscored by Statkraft’s decision to pause new projects because of uncertain market conditions, highlighting...

The UK government will require rooftop solar panels on all new-build homes. Sustainability advocates view this as a key step to decarbonising the built environment and accelerating the transition to net zero whole life carbon. This policy is projected to lower operational carbon for homeowners while supporting the adoption of renewable building materials and sustainable building design practices across the residential construction sector. Industry groups note this move demonstrates advances in...

The UK government has announced a £1 billion investment to develop a major battery gigafactory in Sunderland. This public funding, including loan guarantees and grants, will enable the AESC facility to produce batteries for up to 100,000 electric vehicles each year. The project is designed to boost environmental sustainability in construction and support the decarbonising of the built environment by investing in low carbon construction materials and green infrastructure. Job creation in the...

The UK Government has pledged a £1bn investment for a major electric vehicle battery gigafactory in Sunderland, anticipated to produce batteries for 100,000 vehicles annually and create over 1,000 jobs. This development is expected to accelerate decarbonising the built environment, drive demand for low carbon construction materials, and stimulate the supply chain for energy-efficient buildings. Electrification and sustainable urban development are central to cutting the carbon footprint of...

The UK government’s mandate for rooftop solar panels on all new-build homes has marked a major achievement for sustainable construction and environmental sustainability in construction. This policy targets both operational carbon and the carbon footprint of construction by integrating renewable energy systems into sustainable building design, setting higher standards for net zero carbon buildings. Such initiatives point to the role of whole life carbon assessment in shaping the landscape of...

The UK government has announced a £1 billion investment to expand large-scale battery production with the new AESC gigafactory in Sunderland. This move aims to support the manufacturing of batteries for around 100,000 electric vehicles annually, create over 1,000 jobs and accelerate efforts to decarbonise the transport sector. Such investments strengthen the UK's place in the electric vehicle supply chain and demonstrate commitment to net zero carbon and whole life carbon reduction in the...

The UK government has launched a £1 billion investment package to accelerate electric vehicle battery manufacturing, supporting the new AESC gigafactory in Sunderland. With production capacity for 100,000 EV batteries a year, this milestone promises to reduce embodied carbon in materials and cut the operational carbon footprint of construction supply chains. The initiative, backed by the National Wealth Fund, is expected to generate over 1,000 jobs and contributes to the rapid decarbonising of...