Extreme weather events are prompting urgent action towards environmental sustainability in construction worldwide. The UK is seeing record-breaking wildfires in 2025 due to dry, sunny conditions, with major loss to conservation on Scotland’s Isle of Arran. These challenges highlight the global need for climate-adaptive and fire-resistant sustainable building design, alongside whole life carbon assessment to safeguard communities and natural habitats.
There is a marked rise in the use of low carbon construction materials and green building materials within the global sector. Urban centres in India, such as Hyderabad, are focusing on eco-friendly construction by sourcing sustainable building materials and encouraging sustainable material specification. This shift towards circular economy in construction and resource efficiency in construction reflects broader efforts to lower the carbon footprint of construction and address embodied carbon in materials.
Innovative projects underline the momentum for clean energy and operational carbon reduction. In the United States, Fullerton College has installed a 1 MW solar carport system, demonstrating how renewable building materials and green infrastructure are being integrated into large-scale public and education facilities. These efforts contribute to net zero whole life carbon goals and promote energy-efficient buildings through sustainable design.
Supply chain transformation remains critical for decarbonising the built environment. Groups such as the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products and companies like Saint-Astier prioritise low embodied carbon materials and sustainable product declarations, supporting carbon neutral construction and lowering the environmental impact of construction projects with life cycle thinking in construction.
Debate and policy shaping continue to influence sustainable construction. Events like the cessation of Just Stop Oil’s campaign in response to government licensing decisions show ongoing negotiations over the pace of decarbonisation. Net zero carbon, whole life carbon, and sustainable urban development remain crucial for futureproofing the building sector and achieving sustainability targets, ensuring eco-design for buildings is prioritised in response to the intensifying climate crisis.
