Embracing Sustainable Futures: CERES aims to build a bridge between education...

Circular Economy Alliance 2 years ago

Embracing Sustainable Futures: CERES aims to build a bridge between education and competences needed for the transition towards Circular Economy (CE). As sustainable development requires more systematic approaches, the dialogue between CE and Industry 4.0 aims to build a new set of knowledge and best cases, to be provided through both higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET). The fusion of these paradigms goes beyond manufacturing, and touches entrepreneurship, innovation management, and societal development, fostering an approach mindful of the limits of our planet. The focus of CERES is on creating a new educational framework adaptable to the changing demands of CE. How? ✅Through an accurate Market Analysis: research starts from the needs of our societies; this means mapping the kind of skills and competences needed by circular businesses and those businesses transitioning to a circular economy model. This will allow us to figure out the kind of professionals we have to prepare for Today's and Tomorrow's challenges. ✅Through rethinking Education for Circular Economy: Higher education (HE) and vocational education and training (VET) must adapt, equipping learners with the skills needed for a sustainable tomorrow. CERES will contribute to the essential process of curriculum update for CE and its delivery. ✅Through building a community and encouraging networking among CE stakeholders: excitingly, we envision the Circular Economy Digital Innovation Hub (CE-DIH) as a cornerstone, a digital space to connect stakeholders, nurture skills, provide knowledge, and opportunities. At the Circular Economy Alliance, we are proud to be part of this groundbreaking initiative, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the CERES consortium REPIC Ltd, Erion, Aalborg University, Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Bari, Cyprus Certification Company / Κυπριακή Εταιρεία Πιστοποιήσης, CERC - Circular Economy Research Center, Cleantech Bulgaria, Centro di Documentazione sui Conflitti Ambientali Associazione (CDCA) for their exceptional efforts and commitment to this important mission. To know more- Sign up https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQL

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 11 hours ago



The UK’s acceleration toward *sustainable construction* underscores a decisive shift from ambition to delivery. National Grid ESO’s reforms to the grid connection process remove zombie projects and prioritise actionable, low carbon design ready to unlock billions in clean energy infrastructure. This structural change supports *green infrastructure* essential to *decarbonising the built environment*, linking energy planning with *sustainable building practices* that address both whole life carbon and embodied carbon impacts through rigorous whole life carbon assessment.

Offshore wind’s expansion, now generating nearly one-fifth of Britain’s electricity, highlights how *environmental sustainability in construction* relies on scalable, *eco-friendly construction* solutions. The developing offshore supply chain demands *sustainable building design* that integrates *circular economy in construction* strategies and *resource efficiency in construction*, enabling the transition towards *net zero carbon buildings* and *net zero whole life carbon* performance.

While material innovation remains subdued, the rise of energy-efficiency retrofits reflects a shift towards life cycle cost optimisation and *building lifecycle performance* over short-term gain. Firms such as Mapei point to recovery driven by energy-efficient buildings and *low embodied carbon materials*, reinforcing the value of *eco-design for buildings* and *sustainable material specification* guided by *environmental product declarations (EPDs)*. These principles strengthen the circular economy ethos and advance *carbon footprint reduction* across every project stage, from design to *end-of-life reuse in construction*.

Africa’s emerging solar market signals global diversification of *green construction*, with the continent expected to become a testbed for *low carbon building* strategies suited to extreme climates. The transition invites adoption of *circular construction strategies*, *renewable building materials*, and *sustainable urban development* underpinned by *life cycle thinking in construction*.

The alignment of policy reform, financial investment, and technical capability confirms that *sustainable design* has become core to delivering *carbon neutral construction* and reducing the *carbon footprint of construction* worldwide. The era of incremental action is ending—the new metric of success is measurable whole life carbon performance and resilient, *green building materials* innovation delivering true *sustainability* in the built environment.

Show More

camera_altFeatured Instagram Posts:

Get your opinion heard:

Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do get in touch.

eco

WLC Assistant

Ask me about sustainability

Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?