The UK government and Eni have secured a £2 billion investment to deliver the world’s most advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Liverpool Bay. This initiative will trap and store up to 10 million tonnes of CO₂ annually through the 2030s, supporting net zero whole life carbon objectives and strengthening the region’s status in environmental sustainability in construction. With 2,000 new jobs expected, the HyNet carbon transport and storage pipeline contract signifies a substantial step in decarbonising the built environment and reducing the carbon footprint of construction.
A new low-carbon concrete facility has opened in Teesside, targeting the embodied carbon in materials and promoting circular economy strategies within the construction sector. Operated by Scott Bros, the site recycles and produces concrete with a lower carbon footprint, promoting low embodied carbon materials and sustainable building practices. SigmaRoc’s investment in bio-based plasterboard alternatives further highlights the ongoing shift to renewable building materials, resource efficiency in construction, and eco-friendly construction.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed strong government support for expanding domestic clean energy, placing energy-efficient buildings and low carbon design at the heart of sustainable building design. Commitment to renewable building materials and sustainable construction aligns with efforts to reduce operational carbon and foster carbon neutral construction. Political backing remains strong for whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment as central components of sustainable urban development.
Debate continues over the UK government’s proposed “pay to pollute” nature levy, with calls for robust regulatory frameworks that prioritise building lifecycle performance and protect biodiversity. Stakeholders stress the importance of balancing development with sustainable material specification and eco-design for buildings. These regulatory frameworks are expected to advance life cycle thinking in construction, ensuring the environmental impact of construction is managed.
On the innovation front, the edible packaging market from renewable resources is predicted to exceed US$1.4 billion by 2030, supporting circular economy in construction and environmentally sustainable supply chains. Medical waste management is also expanding, reflecting growing demand for green building products and sustainable design in related industries.
Recent developments underline the global construction industry’s commitment to sustainability through investments in low impact construction, circular construction strategies, and green infrastructure. Progress in sustainable building design and green building materials, emphasising whole life carbon and lifecycle assessment, is positioning the sector as a leader in net zero carbon buildings and decarbonising the built environment.
