The UK construction industry is under sustained pressure as the PMI shows eight consecutive months of decline. The downturn is holding back sustainable construction, especially in relation to whole life carbon assessment and the scaling of net zero carbon buildings. High borrowing costs and subdued demand are limiting the ability of developers to invest in low carbon design and sustainable building practices, leaving the transition to greener infrastructure increasingly exposed to financial headwinds.

Interest in alternative materials is rising to address embodied carbon in materials and the carbon footprint of construction. Hempcrete is gaining momentum as a renewable building material and eco-friendly construction option. Its carbon-negative profile and strong insulation performance position it as an important tool for reducing the environmental impact of construction. Market forecasts project significant growth as policymakers and developers focus on low embodied carbon materials and whole life carbon reduction strategies.

SOCOTEC’s recent acquisition of Lloyds Datum Group highlights the growing importance of reliable data in environmental sustainability in construction. Monitoring geotechnical and structural performance directly informs building lifecycle performance and supports circular construction strategies. Strengthened capacity in sustainability-focused infrastructure testing underlines how circular economy principles and lifecycle assessment are being embedded in compliance and project delivery.

The steel supply chain is shifting with Tata Steel UK progressing towards an electric arc furnace to reduce carbon intensity. Since steel is central to green construction and eco-design for buildings, this transition could accelerate the drive to net zero whole life carbon. The initiative raises questions of life cycle cost, workforce transition, and the pathway to a balanced model of decarbonising the built environment.

Global climate finance reached $137 billion in 2024, with low carbon infrastructure and sustainable urban development at its core. Funding for energy-efficient buildings and eco-design for buildings strengthens commitments to reducing the carbon footprint of construction. Unequal distribution persists, with emerging economies receiving less support, slowing international ambitions for carbon neutral construction and sustainable architecture.

Policy frameworks in the Middle East and Africa continue to push renewable energy targets that will underpin sustainable building design and green infrastructure. The emphasis remains on enhancing resource efficiency in construction and sustainable material specification. Delivering these frameworks into tangible low carbon buildings is critical to achieving net zero carbon and embedding green building materials into future city planning.