UK engineers are turning to artificial intelligence to support sustainable building design and accelerate progress towards net zero whole life carbon targets. These digital tools are being used to optimise energy-efficient buildings, improve low carbon design, and underpin eco-design for buildings, reflecting a wider shift towards data-driven environmental sustainability in construction. The adoption of AI is expected to help with whole life carbon assessment, lifecycle assessment, and reduce the operational and embodied carbon in materials across construction projects.
The integrity of the global carbon market remains a high priority ahead of COP29, with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement under intense scrutiny. Reliable, high-integrity carbon credits are vital for construction and real estate sectors working to offset the carbon footprint of construction projects. Strong standards are needed to ensure credible carbon offsetting, supporting the drive for net zero carbon buildings and the decarbonising of the built environment. Transparent carbon accounting is increasingly seen as essential to achieving whole life carbon reduction.
In the energy sector, Harbour Energy’s decision to review its support for the Viking CCS initiative and reduce its workforce in Aberdeen spotlights the challenges facing carbon capture infrastructure in the UK. Robust CCS projects are key to national decarbonisation goals, supporting carbon neutral construction and facilitating end-of-life reuse in construction and heavy industry. The uncertainty highlights the need for supportive policy frameworks that encourage life cycle cost savings, resource efficiency in construction, and sustainable material specification.
Sustainable construction materials remain a focus as innovations in reusable packaging and low embodied carbon materials gain traction within global supply chains. Lightweight, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging products are now shaping the circular economy in construction and advancing green building materials adoption. These changes enable construction companies to enhance building lifecycle performance, lower the environmental impact of construction, and promote circular construction strategies.
The chemical industry faces growing demands for accurate climate risk disclosure and transparent reporting of embodied carbon. A recent study warns that underestimating the true carbon costs undermines meaningful progress towards sustainable building practices and carbon footprint reduction. Improved lifecycle thinking in construction, environmental product declarations (epds), and clear pricing are crucial for reducing embodied carbon in materials and achieving sustainable outcomes.
The real estate community has voiced strong support for the US Energy Star programme amidst potential budget cuts, highlighting its international influence on green construction. Energy Star standards continue to underpin high-performing, low carbon building operations and foster sustainable architecture worldwide. The programme’s trusted benchmarks for eco-friendly construction are driving resource efficiency in construction and delivering significant improvements in operational carbon performance.
