The University of Derby has launched the UK’s first Institute of Carbonomics, designed to support the transition to a low‑carbon economy. The institute will provide robust research on reducing emissions linked to construction and infrastructure, strengthening understanding of whole life carbon and embodied carbon. The initiative aims to bring advanced methods of whole life carbon assessment into mainstream planning, linking research with practical tools for sustainable building design and low carbon construction materials.
Gresham House’s acquisition of SUSI Partners increases its clean energy assets to more than £10 billion, significantly expanding its role in financing the energy transition. This flow of capital is expected to impact sustainable construction by financing projects focused on cutting the carbon footprint of construction processes. Greater investor appetite for decarbonising the built environment highlights the growing relevance of life cycle cost analysis, lifecycle assessment practices, and net zero whole life carbon strategies in large‑scale developments worldwide.
Data from the London Stock Exchange illustrates falling portfolio carbon intensity, though absolute emissions in construction‑heavy benchmarks continue to rise. Sectors reliant on steel and concrete still face the challenge of reducing embodied carbon in materials while safeguarding building lifecycle performance. The figures strengthen the case for resource efficiency in construction, circular economy in construction principles, and low embodied carbon materials to move beyond surface‑level progress.
Kent County Council’s withdrawal of its climate emergency declaration introduced uncertainty over local frameworks that shape sustainable building practices and eco‑design for buildings. Weakening commitments risks slowing progress towards energy‑efficient buildings, green construction targets, and sustainable urban development. For developers working to implement low carbon design in new projects, clear and supportive planning policies remain critical in driving environmental sustainability in construction across the UK and globally.
Water stewardship remains a growing part of sustainable building practices, particularly where net zero carbon buildings must account for water use in whole life carbon assessments. Insights from collaboration between major corporations and NGOs underline the importance of sustainable material specification and life cycle thinking in construction, linking water, materials, and energy efficiency into a single framework of sustainable design. Hydrological impacts are becoming integral alongside embodied carbon in materials in shaping eco‑friendly construction strategies.
The ratification of the High Seas Treaty by 60 countries underscores the potential for international cooperation on environmental goals. While aimed at ocean conservation, the treaty sets a precedent highly relevant to global construction supply chains. Implementing circular construction strategies, renewable building materials, and green infrastructure will depend on multinational alignment. International collaboration strengthens pathways towards carbon neutral construction and reinforces the urgency of carbon footprint reduction across the full life cycle of buildings.
