Nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun and other stars, is painstakingly finicky to replicate on Earth. Many countries have achieved fusion reactions, but sustaining them for long enough to use in the real world remains elusive.
The prize of this energy is its sheer efficiency. A controlled fusion reaction releases around four million times more energy than burning coal, oil or gas, and four times more than fission, the kind of nuclear energy used today. It won't be developed in time to fight climate change in this crucial decade, but it could be the solution to future warming.
The Chinese government is pouring money into the venture, putting an estimated $1 billion to $1.5 billion annually into fusion, according to Jean Paul Allain, who leads the US Energy Department's Office of Fusion Energy Sciences. In comparison, the Biden administration has spent around $800 million a year.
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📸 : Damien Jemison/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
The regeneration of Sighthill in Glasgow is moving forward at scale, led by Keepmoat, with hundreds of new energy‑efficient homes and major infrastructure improvements. The scheme highlights sustainable urban development in practice, with strong focus on community links, job creation and low carbon building standards. Delivering housing with reduced Whole Life Carbon is central to driving environmental sustainability in construction across the UK.
In Glastonbury, Beard Construction has started work on the adaptive reuse of Baily’s Buildings, a former industrial site. The approach of retrofitting existing structures demonstrates how Embodied Carbon reduction can be achieved while preserving historic character. The project reflects rising demand for sustainable building design that aligns with Circular Economy in construction principles, lowering the carbon footprint of construction while providing long‑term Life Cycle Cost savings.
Across Europe, climate risks are shifting priorities. Extreme heat and flooding are disrupting construction schedules and damaging materials, with economic costs projected to reach billions. The sector faces mounting pressure for climate‑resilient and sustainable design solutions. Adopting eco‑design for buildings, low carbon construction materials and lifecycle assessment frameworks will be essential to enhance building lifecycle performance and safeguard investment resilience.
Global demand for air conditioning is exposing the urgent need for low carbon design. Without radical improvements in passive cooling, natural ventilation and insulation standards, energy‑efficient buildings risk being undermined by runaway emissions. Transitioning to net zero carbon buildings requires both technological innovation and a holistic Whole Life Carbon Assessment to secure carbon footprint reduction across the building lifecycle.
Digitalisation is also influencing sustainable construction pathways. Veolia’s launch of its North American Hubgrade Centre, while focused on utilities, signals the integration of data‑driven tools into sustainable building practices. Such systems have clear relevance for resource efficiency in construction, enabling improved environmental product declarations (EPDs), energy optimisation and smarter circular construction strategies.
Public investment is increasingly underpinning decarbonising the built environment. The UK’s Great British Energy initiative will fund new renewable infrastructure to support carbon neutral construction and net zero Whole Life Carbon goals. Affordable clean energy strengthens the ecosystem for eco‑friendly construction and sustainable material specification, ensuring the next generation of green construction projects can thrive economically while reducing the environmental impact of construction.
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