Decarbonising the Construction Sector – Policy, Practice and Technology for a Greener Future.

We are incredibly proud to announce that one of our talented consultants, Hasitha Herath, has been serving as an advisor to the Sustainable Construction Management: Research and Practice Companion.

The construction industry is one of the major contributors to climate change associated with the built environment, which needs to be addressed through decarbonising the construction sector.

According to the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (UNEP, 2022), the built environment is responsible for approximately 37% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions, with 27% attributed to building operations and an additional 10-11% from construction activities and material manufacturing.

This makes the construction sector one of the largest contributors to climate change. The construction phase alone, including activities such as raw material extraction, processing, transportation, and on-site installation, accounts for nearly 11% of global emissions. As the demand for urbanisation accelerates, the carbon footprint of the construction industry will only increase, highlighting the critical need for targeted decarbonisation interventions.

In order to reduce the carbon footprint of a building,

Improving energy efficiency is a critical and foundational strategy. Enhancing energy efficiency not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also contributes to long-term operational cost savings and improved resilience. This can be achieved through a variety of mechanisms across all stages of design, construction, and operation. Firstly, energy-efficient outcomes begin with the appropriate design and integration of building energy systems. This includes optimising building orientation, form, and envelope to reduce heating and cooling demands, as well as incorporating passive design strategies such as natural ventilation, daylighting, and thermal Mass.

Second, a major factor in improving energy efficiency is the use of high-efficiency appliances, pumps, lighting, HVAC systems, and other equipment. Choosing equipment that complies with or exceeds regional and global energy performance requirements guarantees a decrease in energy use throughout the building’s life. Furthermore, fossil fuel-based energy can be considerably reduced by integrating on-site and/or off-site renewable energy systems like solar photovoltaic, wind, or geothermal energy. These strategies can make a substantial contribution to decarbonization initiatives when paired with energy monitoring systems and smart building technologies.

Material selection plays a pivotal role in construction decarbonization by directly impacting the embodied carbon footprint of a building. Large amounts of greenhouse gases are released during the energy-intensive production of materials like steel, aluminium, and concrete. Designers and contractors can significantly lower the embodied emissions by selecting low-carbon alternatives like recycled steel, mass timber, geopolymer concrete, and locally sourced or reclaimed materials. Additionally, choosing materials with life cycle efficiency and environmental product declarations (EPDs) allows for well-informed choices that support whole life carbon reduction objectives. Therefore, choosing materials wisely is a way to reduce climate change and pave the way for more resilient, circular, and future-ready Structures.

Incorporating modern-day advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) into the decarbonization efforts can significantly benefit in enhancing energy efficiency and material circularity. Particularly, AI can be used to identify emission reduction opportunities in existing buildings, by analysing large data sets to identify energy saving opportunities and predict maintenance needs. This will help to streamline the resource optimisation and reduce waste in the process. 

For example, AI can help to dynamically adjust HVAC settings based on real-time occupancy and environmental data. Furthermore, using AI for material management can contribute to lower emissions by facilitating the effective reuse and recycling of building materials, thus lowering the environmental impact of raw materials extraction. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into construction practices will become increasingly vital, offering a pathway to address the dual goals of reducing carbon emissions and enhancing resource efficiency within the construction industry.

Local and international policy and regulatory frameworks are also crucial to the success of the decarbonisation efforts.

Internationally recognised voluntary frameworks and certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) from the U.K. have played a crucial role in promoting and implementing sustainable design and encouraging industry decarbonisation. These frameworks offer comprehensive guidance, assessment requirements, and benchmarking strategies to lower environmental impact.

However, since these frameworks are voluntary, adaptation is still limited as uptake largely depends on the client’s voluntary initiatives, incentives, or reputational value.

To truly achieve decarbonisation targets industry-wide, it is essential to have local regulations in place. Integrating decarbonisation strategies into the building regulatory approval process ensures that all the developments, not just those pursuing certification, adhere to minimum decarbonisation requirements. Several jurisdictions have already implemented this strategy.

For example, Abu Dhabi’s Estidama Rating System is required for all new buildings. Similarly, Singapore’s Green Mark scheme has been in place through legislation and supported with incentives, making it a key driver of the country’s decarbonisation transformation.

Looking towards the future, decarbonisation of the construction industry presents both challenges and opportunities.

It is an essential part of global efforts to address climate change and achieve global sustainability targets. As the construction industry continues to account for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is the responsibility of the industry stakeholders to take urgent, transformative actions.

This includes regulators implementing mandatory carbon assessments and carbon performance requirements into building codes and planning approvals. Industry stakeholders should invest in capacity building, adopt modern tools for carbon tracking, and adapt interdisciplinary collaboration to strengthen decarbonisation efforts. A coordinated, policy-backed and technology-enabled approach will be key to transforming the construction industry into a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable sector.

With over 15 years of experience driving high-impact sustainability initiatives across infrastructure and building sectors, Hasitha specialises in global best practices with ambitious sustainability visions, which aligns with Pivotals’ core service of providing a customised one-stop integrated design, management and construction consultancy service for clients