Sustainability in construction is increasingly being integrated into global infrastructure projects, with environmental sustainability in construction now a primary focus for both public and private stakeholders. The Marazanvose green bridge project in Cornwall exemplifies this shift, offering a practical demonstration of combining green infrastructure with eco-design for buildings and transport links. Designed to boost local biodiversity and support resource efficiency in construction, it delivers both ecological corridors and safe passage for people. This model is swiftly becoming a reference point for sustainable construction worldwide, grounded in whole life carbon assessment and life cycle thinking in construction.

The use of low carbon construction materials and green building products is accelerating, driven by innovations in materials science. AGY’s collaboration with A+ Composites has resulted in a new unidirectional thermoplastic tape made from advanced S2 Glass, targeting reduced embodied carbon in materials. This approach to sustainable building design ensures that structural integrity is maintained while significantly lowering the carbon footprint of construction. Lifecycle assessment and whole life carbon analysis are enabling construction professionals to quantify these benefits and achieve measurable carbon footprint reduction.

The widespread adoption of ISSB sustainability standards across 36 jurisdictions signals a move towards greater transparency and accountability in the built environment. Harmonised reporting frameworks support the accurate tracking of embodied carbon, whole life carbon, and life cycle cost, promoting data-driven decision-making in building lifecycle performance. These measures are vital as developers pursue net zero whole life carbon objectives, aiming for net zero carbon buildings that deliver genuine sustainability results throughout all project stages—from material sourcing to end-of-life reuse in construction.

Financial commitment to eco-friendly construction is growing, with the London Pensions Fund Authority pledging substantial investment into climate solutions. Institutional investors are increasingly scrutinising sustainable building practices and demanding robust evidence of decarbonising the built environment through low impact construction and sustainable material specification. Policy initiatives such as government support for low carbon design, green construction, and green infrastructure are changing the investment landscape, offering stronger incentives for sustainable urban development.

Policy and regulation are evolving to meet the demands of circular economy in construction and environmental sustainability. Moves in the EU and UK highlight an industry-wide push for circular construction strategies, with new regulations expected to strengthen requirements around environmental product declarations (EPDs), resource efficiency in construction, and whole life carbon management. The sector is under increasing pressure to move beyond greenwashing and demonstrate concrete progress through documented sustainable building practices and environmental impact of construction reporting.

Advances in sustainable architecture and building technology, coupled with regulatory and financial momentum, are positioning sustainable construction as the default standard for the global industry. By leveraging lifecycle assessment, low embodied carbon materials, and renewable building materials, the construction sector is showing that sustainable design and carbon neutral construction are both practical and essential for a low carbon future. These developments ensure that the transformation of the built environment into net zero carbon, energy-efficient buildings is not just aspirational, but achievable on a global scale.