Jaguar Land Rover has launched a major solar energy installation at its Gaydon headquarters, significantly reducing operational emissions and demonstrating a practical commitment to green infrastructure. Covering the size of 36 football pitches, the 18MW solar farm will power the engineering centre on-site. This development reinforces the role of on-site renewable energy in decarbonising the built environment and aligns with broader ambitions for net zero Whole Life Carbon in large-scale construction operations.
Anaergia’s new biomethane plants in Spain, converting organic waste into renewable gas, mark progress in Circular Economy in construction. These facilities support the construction sector’s shift towards low carbon design by offering scalable energy alternatives for heating systems and transport fleets, contributing positively to the carbon footprint reduction of infrastructure and building services.
A recent survey reveals that while 82% of SME construction firms want to decarbonise, insufficient funding, knowledge gaps and limited support hinder progress. The findings highlight the urgent need for accessible tools and guidance, such as Whole Life Carbon Assessment and Life Cycle Costing, to ensure sustainable design is achievable for small and mid-sized companies across the industry. A failure to address these challenges could fracture progress towards net zero carbon buildings.
Regulatory shifts in Wales, aligning its Deposit Return Scheme with UK-wide sustainability goals, are likely to affect material supply chains in construction—particularly packaging and plastic use. Such legislative changes drive adoption of green building materials and encourage sustainable material specification, aligning with principles of eco-design for buildings and sustainable building practices.
Concerns over the environmental impact of extracting raw materials for green technologies are growing. The embodied carbon in materials such as lithium and rare earths is increasingly scrutinised by construction firms aiming to ensure environmentally responsible sourcing. Attention to embodied carbon and lifecycle assessment is becoming essential for sustainable building design and for advancing environmental sustainability in construction.
The upcoming RWM Expo in Birmingham will focus on circular economy strategies, green skills and policy reform relevant to construction. The event is expected to highlight practical approaches to eco-friendly construction, resource efficiency in construction and the broader role sustainable architecture plays in decarbonising the built environment—core considerations for future-ready infrastructure.
