Sustainability in construction continues to drive industry transformation, with a strong emphasis on decarbonising the built environment and achieving net zero carbon buildings. Cushman & Wakefield’s 2024 Sustainability Report confirms that real estate organisations are increasing their focus on whole life carbon, sustainable building design, and energy-efficient buildings. Supply chain transparency and efforts to lower the carbon footprint of construction are central, with more companies embedding whole life carbon assessment and lifecycle assessment practices to make measurable progress beyond superficial commitments.

Anticipation is growing for elementalLONDON 2025, an event promising to spotlight innovation in net zero whole life carbon strategies, resource efficiency in construction, and green building materials. Collaborations with RICS and ASHRAE underline the sector’s need for technical excellence in sustainable building practices and eco-design for buildings. Dedicated Build2Perform theatres will reinforce the drive towards circular economy in construction and life cycle thinking in construction, essential for meeting stringent climate targets.

Progressive projects like SNG’s 158 affordable homes near Central Middlesex Hospital demonstrate the integration of low carbon design and eco-friendly construction with positive community impact. Restoration work in this project aligns preservation with sustainability, reflecting a broader movement towards sustainable urban development and circular construction strategies. Elsewhere, industry recognition for sustainable design—such as Story Decorating Group’s accolades for Edinburgh’s Haymarket Square—validates sustainable architecture, low carbon building, and the use of low embodied carbon materials as emerging standards of excellence.

Record-breaking heatwaves across Europe have intensified focus on climate resilience, highlighting the urgent need for low-impact construction and climate-adaptive solutions. The rising human and economic toll of heat events places new importance on building lifecycle performance, passive and resilient design, and careful selection of sustainable material specification. Developers and clients are increasingly aware that prioritising the environmental sustainability in construction of projects is crucial for reducing future risks and ensuring long-term functionality.

The macroeconomic context underscores the sector’s responsibility: with projections showing climate mitigation costs driving public debt to historic levels, the business case for green construction and carbon neutral construction is strengthening. Investment decisions now favour low carbon construction materials, green building products, environmental product declarations (EPDs), and the adoption of life cycle cost evaluation across projects. Embracing whole life carbon and circular economy principles in construction is proving indispensable for future-proofing assets.

Digital transformation in construction is aligning with sustainability objectives, particularly as data centre infrastructure faces growing risks from extreme climate events. These challenges are accelerating the uptake of sustainable construction and end-of-life reuse in construction, highlighting the interdependence between environmental impact of construction, resource efficiency, and resilient infrastructure. Recent developments confirm that commitment to net zero carbon buildings, reduction in embodied carbon in materials, and eco-friendly strategies in the built environment is no longer optional, but essential for competitive, responsible construction globally.