At the start of 2025, devastating wildfires tore through the Los Angeles region of California, causing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate, creating an estimated $250 billion in damages, and directly claiming the lives of 31 people and contributing to the deaths of an estimated 440 people. Climate change made the hot, dry weather that intensified these fires 35% more likely—underscoring the need to act on the climate crisis before it puts more communities in harm’s way.
Tune back each day through the rest of the year to learn more about some of the most severe extreme weather events that shaped 2025. Heading into 2026, we deserve protections from climate change-fueled extreme weather events like the Eaton and Palisades fires. #2025inExtremeWeather
Hourly carbon‑free electricity tariffs are reshaping how organisations procure clean energy. Aligning building operations with these tariffs through smart controls, heat pumps and thermal storage enables carbon footprint reduction based on actual grid intensity. This evolution supports environmental sustainability in construction and encourages sustainable building design strategies that integrate lifecycle assessment data and circular economy planning for improved building lifecycle performance.
The construction pipeline shows uneven momentum, with a fall in main contract awards but new activity in education and commercial sectors. This volatility compels investors to focus on eco‑design for buildings that can be delivered in phases, financed through operating savings and supported by sustainable building practices. Retrofit projects using low embodied carbon materials and renewable building materials strengthen environmental product declarations (EPDs) and promote resource efficiency in construction.
Developers that specify proven heat pump systems, design for flexibility and embed end‑of‑life reuse in construction will capture long‑term value and establish leadership in carbon neutral construction. Integrating circular construction strategies with sustainable material specification ensures that net zero carbon buildings and net zero whole life carbon targets are achievable. The emergent trend signals that decarbonising the built environment relies equally on timing, technology and rigorous life cycle thinking in construction.
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