Holcim has introduced its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy to strengthen its role as a key partner in sustainable construction worldwide. The focus emphasises innovation, decarbonising the built environment, and advanced building solutions to integrate environmental sustainability in construction. Strategic investment, including the planned listing of Holcim’s North American operations, aims to support transformation in sustainable building design and accelerate low carbon construction materials development.
Companies across the sector are accelerating efforts to reduce embodied carbon and operational carbon. Solutions such as Emidat are automating environmental product declarations (EPDs) to track the carbon footprint of construction and facilitate whole life carbon assessment. Start-ups like Biozeroc are developing carbon-negative, low embodied carbon materials using biotechnology, supporting targets for net zero whole life carbon and promoting low-impact construction practices.
Digital planning platforms, including Firstplanit, are enabling project teams to select low carbon building products and adopt eco-design for buildings, simplifying life cycle cost and lifecycle assessment. Major suppliers, such as The Lime Place and Saint-Astier, are prioritising eco-friendly construction materials with high breathability for historic restorations and sustainable building practices. New resources like Pallas Textiles’ sustainability hub improve transparency in sustainable material specification, supporting green building products selection.
The circular economy in construction is highlighted through increased focus on end-of-life reuse in construction, such as repurposing glass partitioning systems. Industry initiatives, including those from the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products, promote circular construction strategies and resource efficiency in construction, aiming to extend building lifecycle performance and reduce environmental impact of construction waste.
Across the globe, wider discussions continue around issues such as pollution accounting in shipping and cross-sector collaboration for carbon footprint reduction. There is mounting interest in whole life carbon and life cycle thinking in construction to support the creation of net zero carbon buildings and energy-efficient buildings. As cities and nations adapt to new sustainable urban development standards, the construction industry remains a leader in green infrastructure and carbon neutral construction.
Ongoing research and innovation in net zero carbon initiatives will be key for a resilient, low carbon built environment worldwide. The drive for renewable building materials, green construction, and sustainable architecture ensures construction will maintain its central role in enabling global sustainability targets.
