Holcim has announced its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, signalling strong commitment to sustainable construction and environmental sustainability in construction. This move, aligned with its upcoming North American listing, prioritises the adoption and development of low carbon design and low carbon construction materials. Holcim’s focus aims to address the carbon footprint of construction across the supply chain and foster net zero whole life carbon solutions in the global sector. Holcim’s new strategy is poised to set a benchmark for sustainable construction leadership.
Innovators continue to develop low embodied carbon materials and green building products to support whole life carbon reduction. Biozeroc Ltd. now offers BioConcrete, a patent-pending, carbon-negative alternative eliminating the need for conventional cement, directly targeting embodied carbon in materials. The Lime Place is expanding the use of breathable, eco-friendly construction materials suitable for both sustainable urban development and conservation of historic structures—demonstrating life cycle thinking in construction and circular economy in construction.
Digital platforms are advancing lifecycle assessment and streamlined environmental product declarations (EPDs). Emidat automates EPDs for faster and more accurate reporting of embodied carbon, operational carbon and building lifecycle performance. Firstplanit provides digital tools for lifecycle cost calculations and sustainable material specification, making sustainable building design and sustainable building practices more achievable for industry professionals seeking to decarbonise the built environment.
Safety and resource efficiency in construction are also being addressed through innovation in advanced energy systems. UL Solutions is updating safety protocols for battery energy storage, integrating renewable building materials in green infrastructure, while responding to emerging fire risks as low-impact construction methods become standard in energy-efficient buildings. Ensuring safe, carbon neutral construction alongside ongoing adoption of renewable technologies is increasingly critical in sustainable design.
Collaboration platforms and digital resource hubs from organisations like the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products are strengthening the circular economy and supporting end-of-life reuse in construction. By providing access to case studies, technical data, and verified green building materials, these resources equip architects and contractors to make informed choices, boosting carbon footprint reduction across projects. Sharing knowledge empowers the sector to deliver net zero carbon buildings and scale up eco-design for buildings globally.
Across the industry, the focus on whole life carbon assessment, robust lifecycle assessment and circular construction strategies is accelerating the transition towards net zero carbon goals. With leaders and innovators working together, construction is evolving rapidly to prioritise low carbon, sustainable architecture and environmental impact of construction, ensuring a climate-resilient future worldwide.
