The construction sector is experiencing a decisive shift toward environmental sustainability in construction, with government policy and industry leadership driving substantive change. The UK government’s requirement for solar panels on most new homes under the Future Homes Standard sets a precedent for net zero carbon buildings and energy-efficient buildings, directly impacting whole life carbon performance. These regulations will not just affect the carbon footprint of construction but reshape expectations for sustainable building design and accelerate adoption of eco-design for buildings.
Holcim’s ‘NextGen Growth – Strategy 2030’ demonstrates a global commitment to circular economy principles, placing whole life carbon assessment and embodied carbon reduction at the centre of business growth. By embedding sustainable construction and circular construction strategies into its North American operations, Holcim is advancing the use of low embodied carbon materials and promoting lifecycle assessment at scale. This approach influences sustainable material specification and supports the uptake of renewable building materials and green construction methods worldwide.
Industry expansion, such as the new headquarters acquisition by PIC Construction Group Ltd, signals potential for increased adoption of low carbon building techniques and sustainable building practices. Financial growth, when channelled into decarbonising the built environment and resource efficiency in construction, can accelerate the implementation of low carbon construction materials and end-of-life reuse in construction projects. Strategic investment now prioritises building lifecycle performance and integrating life cycle cost thinking in construction.
Emerging technology plays a pivotal role, with artificial intelligence identified as a key enabler for reducing the environmental impact of construction. AI-driven solutions enable optimised lifecycle assessment, reducing both operational and embodied carbon in materials throughout the building lifecycle. These innovations enhance the delivery of green building products and support the management of whole life carbon costs, driving progress toward carbon neutral construction.
The convergence of legislative mandates, corporate strategy, and advanced technologies signals the construction industry’s increasing commitment to sustainability. Continuous improvement in sustainable architecture and green infrastructure, underpinned by reliable environmental product declarations (EPDs), is making net zero whole life carbon and true circular economy in construction more achievable. Sustainability in the built environment is becoming standard practice, and professionals must now embed life cycle cost and carbon footprint reduction into every stage of building delivery.
