New research highlights the construction industry’s progress towards net-zero targets, yet financial and data challenges persist.
- Nine out of ten construction projects are now targeting sustainable outcomes, reflecting a significant shift towards greener practices.
- The latest report indicates a 16% increase in firms measuring their greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2022.
- Despite financial constraints, 89% of professionals remain optimistic about achieving net-zero goals in the future.
- Financial constraints and inadequate data sharing are major hurdles in further reducing emissions, demanding industry-wide solutions.
The construction industry is making strides toward achieving net-zero ambitions, with a large majority of projects now incorporating sustainable goals. This marks a noteworthy shift as nine out of ten respondents working in construction reported involvement in projects aiming for sustainable outcomes. Comparison with past data shows a 16% increase in organisations measuring their carbon footprints since the last biennial report was conducted in 2022.
Despite these advancements, financial challenges are proving a significant barrier to further emission reductions. According to the recent NBS Sustainable Futures Report, a ‘tough economic landscape’ has necessitated a focus on value engineering in projects to protect margins. High material price inflation and ongoing supply issues have exacerbated these difficulties, stalling immediate progress towards more sustainable practices.
Additionally, the lack of accessible data remains a substantial impediment in the journey to net-zero. Industry experts, such as Anya Blanchfield of McBains consultancy, suggest that increased data use could enhance the efficacy of the whole build process. She argues for a comprehensive methodology to assess building performance, integrating both operational energy and the embodied energy in retrofitting materials to accurately depict carbon savings.
Blanchfield further advocates for an industry-wide transition away from demolition towards adapting existing structures, which could substantially reduce emissions. She asserts, ‘We need an industry-wide shift, with older buildings valued rather than knocked down.’ Such an approach would leverage advanced green technologies and skilled contractors to navigate retrofitting complexities, potentially leading to a significantly more sustainable construction sector.
The path to net-zero in construction is clear but fraught with financial and data barriers that require strategic industry solutions.
