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...

Otterpool Park in Kent signals a decisive shift in sustainable urban development. An all‑electric, 8,500‑home garden town will export surplus clean power to the grid, cutting reliance on fossil fuels and improving life cycle cost outcomes for residents. The model supports low carbon design and progress towards net zero whole life carbon across energy‑efficient buildings, backed by robust whole life carbon assessment to manage operational and whole life carbon at community scale. The...

Cushman & Wakefield has adopted updated science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets, reinforcing momentum toward decarbonising the built environment. This commitment by a global real estate leader signals increasing investor pressure for sustainable building design and meaningful reductions in the carbon footprint of construction. It reflects a broader sectoral shift toward Whole Life Carbon Assessment and net zero Whole Life Carbon strategies, setting new expectations for lifecycle...

AeroFarms has secured pre-construction funding for its new indoor vertical farm in Virginia, delivering an innovative approach to sustainable urban development. The facility integrates controlled environment agriculture, reducing resource use in confined urban spaces. This type of energy-efficient infrastructure demonstrates how sustainable building design can align food systems with principles of low carbon design and environmental sustainability in construction. Cushman & Wakefield has...

A pilot initiative to expand the reuse of reclaimed construction materials has advanced from the City of London into the East End, strengthening the role of circular economy in construction. This growing movement in circular construction strategies is significantly reducing embodied carbon in materials by encouraging local sourcing and minimising the carbon footprint of construction logistics. As sustainable construction accelerates, resource efficiency in construction is becoming indispensable...