The Trump administration is rolling back several major climate policies,...

CNN Climate 1 year ago

The Trump administration is rolling back several major climate policies, including two rules that target planet-warming pollution from vehicles and power plants, in a major blow to America's progress on climate action. The changes are expected to inject even more uncertainty into key industries, including manufacturing, which President Donald Trump has pledged to support through policy. The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it will undo rules that would have pushed the electricity and auto-making sectors toward cleaner forms of energy. Trump's EPA is also preparing to reconsider and strike down a consequential scientific finding that has served as the basis of federal regulations to curb climate pollution. Dismissing the precedent would strip the EPA's authority to manage the pollution that causes global warming. The EPA is targeting EVs by dismantling a vehicle pollution rule the Biden administration finalized in March 2024, which – by mandating less pollution from cars – would have pushed US automakers to produce more EVs and fuel-efficient hybrid models that run on a mixture of gas and small batteries. Read more at the link in @cnn's bio. 📷: Kevin Carter/Getty Images

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 2 hours ago



The UK’s Construction Products Reform consultation signals a firm shift towards accountability in sustainable construction. Its White Paper proposes stricter verification of claims, improving reliability in environmental product declarations (EPDs) and sustainable material specification. Stronger oversight of embodied carbon in materials and transparent disclosure of the carbon footprint of construction products aim to strengthen trust and support net zero carbon goals. Aligning supply chains with whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment practices will promote resource efficiency in construction while driving measurable reductions in embodied carbon.

Global finance is aligning with environmental sustainability in construction. The Green Climate Fund’s regional hubs will streamline investment into sustainable building design and climate‑resilient infrastructure. This approach encourages low carbon construction materials and net zero whole life carbon delivery, building confidence among financiers seeking credible, verifiable outcomes. Firms that adopt life cycle thinking in construction and track life cycle cost performance are better positioned to attract green funding and participate in circular economy models.

Decarbonisation on sites is advancing. JCB’s 100% biodiesel plant option illustrates tangible progress in reducing Scope 1 emissions, providing an immediate low carbon design alternative while electric and hydrogen systems mature. Practical deployment of eco‑friendly construction equipment supports the wider transition toward carbon neutral construction and minimises the environmental impact of construction operations.

The UK’s £100 million programme for walking and cycling infrastructure highlights how incremental green infrastructure projects deliver sustainable urban development benefits with low embodied carbon. Thousands of small‑scale upgrades contribute to eco‑design for buildings and streets, reinforcing the circular economy in construction and demonstrating low‑impact construction strategies.

Across all sectors, execution now outweighs rhetoric. Firms that deliver verifiable whole life carbon reductions, quantify the carbon footprint of construction, and integrate circular construction strategies into building lifecycle performance will lead the next phase of green construction and sustainable design.

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?