Ministers from the Group of Seven nations have agreed to shut down all their...

CNN Climate 2 years ago

Ministers from the Group of Seven nations have agreed to shut down all their coal plants by 2035 at the latest, according to a UK minister, in a climate policy breakthrough that could influence other countries to do the same. Putting an end date on coal — the most climate-polluting fossil fuel — has been highly controversial at international climate talks. Japan, which derived 32% of its electricity from coal in 2023, according to the climate think tank Ember, has blocked progress on the issue at past G7 meetings, CNN has previously reported. “We do have an agreement to phase out coal in the first half of the 2030s,” Andrew Bowie, a UK minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, told Class CNBC in Turing, Italy. “This is, by the way a historic agreement, something that we weren’t able to achieve at COP28 in Dubai last year.” “So, to have the G7 nations come around the table to send that signal to the world — that we, the advanced economies of the world are committed to phasing out coal by the early 2030s — is quite incredible.” Read more at the link in our bio. 📸: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 18 minutes ago



The UK’s sustainable construction sector is moving from policy statements to measurable performance. The focus on embodied carbon is intensifying as the housing industry establishes an Embodied Carbon and Resource Efficiency Board to integrate whole life carbon assessment into new‑build standards. This development aligns with the growing demand for verified data through lifecycle assessment and environmental product declarations (EPDs), driven by the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Product‑level transparency is becoming an essential compliance factor within the framework of environmental sustainability in construction.

Material innovation is progressing. Wood fibre insulation and other low embodied carbon materials are being adopted in mainstream housebuilding, strengthening sustainable material specification and supporting the circular economy in construction. These renewable building materials combine low carbon design with improved indoor comfort, making green construction an attainable default rather than a niche practice.

Global climate pressures are redefining sustainable building design. The UN‑endorsed National Cooling Action Plan Methodology for the MENA region introduces a model for energy‑efficient buildings that balance passive strategies, efficient systems, and refrigerant management within net zero whole life carbon objectives. The approach complements BREEAM and BREEAM v7 frameworks that encourage eco‑design for buildings and sustainable building practices.

Developers and suppliers face stricter expectations for defensible whole life carbon performance, resource efficiency in construction, and life cycle cost transparency. Those unable to demonstrate reductions in the carbon footprint of construction or to apply circular construction strategies risk exclusion from competitive procurement. Clients and regulators increasingly link carbon neutral construction and sustainable design with building lifecycle performance, demanding actionable evidence that projects contribute to decarbonising the built environment and long‑term sustainability.

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.

Let's chat!
Avatar

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?