GID, a US-based real estate investment firm managing over $30 billion in assets, has released its 2024 Responsible Investments Report, signalling a stronger integration of sustainable building design into institutional property portfolios. While lacking detailed construction performance data, the report reflects the growing role of environmental sustainability in construction as asset managers align portfolios with low carbon design principles and net zero Whole Life Carbon goals, positioning green-certified developments as long-term value assets.
In response to worsening climate models, new research points to prolonged extreme heat events across Europe, urging regulators and developers to adopt climate-resilient, energy-efficient buildings. Rising temperatures exceeding 40°C highlight vulnerabilities in current building codes and call for passive design solutions grounded in eco-design for buildings and lifecycle assessment. Sustainable design strategies such as improved cross-ventilation and solar shading are becoming critical to reducing the Whole Life Carbon of both residential and commercial properties.
Developments in EV infrastructure are set to reshape urban planning frameworks. Lynkwell’s appointment by the Southern California Public Power Authority to expand charging stations underscores the integration of electric vehicle facilities into new mixed-use construction. This shift necessitates sustainable construction practices that account for Life Cycle Cost and carbon footprint of construction, creating building typologies that support a Circular Economy and support net zero carbon goals over asset lifespans.
Terra Firma Energy Limited has initiated a strategic review to redefine its participation in the UK’s modern energy transition, potentially influencing future construction powered by decentralised renewable sources. As the construction sector prepares for energy system reforms, this signals greater importance for resource efficiency in construction and long-term planning through Whole Life Carbon Assessment in new developments.
The closure of Veolia’s plastic recycling facilities in Bernburg has renewed focus on the Circular Economy in construction. The viability of plastic-based building materials such as cladding and insulation depends heavily on functioning recycling systems. If material recovery capabilities fail, the environmental product declarations (EPDs) and claims attached to green building materials face scrutiny, challenging developers to prioritise low Embodied Carbon materials and end-of-life reuse in construction to maintain sustainability credentials.
With smart metering integrated into modern housing stock, Ofgem’s new compensation rules for defective installations place additional contractual accountability on developers and housing providers. The emerging regulatory landscape places a sharper focus on building lifecycle performance and the environmental impact of construction, reinforcing the need for sustainable building practices across the construction supply chain.
