The construction industry is accelerating its shift towards environmental sustainability in construction and resilience, with a growing focus on the use of non-combustible building materials. Recent events, such as increased wildfires in California, underline the need for sustainable building design that withstands natural disasters and advances climate and clean air goals. This direction supports the adoption of whole life carbon assessment and low embodied carbon materials, ensuring communities are safeguarded while reducing the carbon footprint of construction.
Green hydrogen remains prominent in strategies for decarbonising the built environment. The UK government continues to shortlist projects supporting energy-efficient buildings, low carbon design, and net zero carbon buildings through green hydrogen investments. Yet, Statkraft’s withdrawal from developing new green hydrogen projects highlights the sector’s challenges in achieving commercially viable net zero whole life carbon outcomes due to market volatility. The drive for operational carbon reductions persists, but scaling green technologies will require stable policies and sustained investment.
Digital transformation is streamlining resource efficiency in construction, with modern workforce management tools enabling life cycle cost savings and greater transparency. Automated payroll, GPS attendance, and real-time reporting are minimising administrative burdens, supporting building lifecycle performance, and promoting eco-design for buildings. These advancements contribute to sustainability by improving project efficiency and supporting circular economy in construction initiatives.
Waste minimisation and circular economy strategies are expanding, with companies such as Virgin Media O2 demonstrating effective end-of-life reuse in construction-related sectors. Their business recycle programme has diverted nearly 45,000 smartphones and tablets from landfill, exemplifying effective circular construction strategies. Lessons from these initiatives encourage the construction industry’s adoption of lifecycle assessment and increased reliance on renewable building materials to further reduce environmental impact.
Policy developments continue to shape sustainable construction practices worldwide. Recent international symposia and the gender-focused agenda for COP30 signal a policy landscape committed to rigorous regulations, inclusive standards, and sustainable building practices. Collaboration and robust governance will be central to achieving goals such as carbon neutral construction and net zero whole life carbon, supporting global sustainable urban development, and reinforcing the transition to eco-friendly construction and green infrastructure.
