A £200 million hydrogen-from-waste plant has been announced at Thames Freeport in London, marking a significant contribution to sustainable construction. By converting non-recyclable waste into hydrogen fuel, the facility targets reduced emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy construction and transport. This approach directly supports Whole Life Carbon Assessment strategies by lowering operational emissions and promoting Circular Economy in construction.
Trinity Energy and Costco have introduced modular, off-grid energy systems intended to cut dependency on grid electricity. Although initially tailored for logistics, the scalable technology enhances energy resilience at construction sites, particularly those in remote locations. These systems contribute to Whole Life Carbon reduction by enabling low carbon design for temporary and permanent infrastructure.
Ermine Construction continues to build momentum in sustainable building design, winning recognition for its environmentally conscious practices. The firm exemplifies the role of smaller businesses in promoting carbon neutral construction and advancing environmental sustainability in construction. Their approach supports lifecycle assessment principles and encourages industry-wide adoption of resource efficiency in construction.
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology has been deployed in Fremont, California to optimise energy use in public bus systems. Its two-way power flow model offers future potential for use in green construction, allowing sites to actively manage electricity demand. Integration of V2G enhances building lifecycle performance and aligns with carbon footprint reduction goals during temporary and permanent works.
Recent research indicates that existing mineral supplies are sufficient to meet clean energy targets, easing concerns about resource shortages in sustainable construction. The findings suggest that low carbon construction materials and smarter material strategies can be prioritised through eco-design for buildings and sustainable material specification, reducing the need for increased mining and lowering Embodied Carbon in materials.
Political developments in Brazil raise new questions around the sustainability of imported construction resources, including timber. Weakened environmental controls could affect environmental product declarations (EPDs) and increase the environmental impact of construction materials sourced from deforestation-prone regions. Greater transparency and Life Cycle Costing in construction will be essential to maintain credibility across global supply chains.
