Sustainability reporting is no longer optional—it’s a licence to operate in construction and real estate. With CSRD, IFRS S1/S2, TCFD, GRI, and ESRS reshaping disclosure rules, companies must adapt quickly or risk losing access to capital and clients. This article unpacks the “alphabet soup” of frameworks, explains what they mean for the built environment, and outlines a practical roadmap for turning compliance into competitive advantage.

True sustainability in construction goes beyond technology and certifications—it starts with people. Building a green culture ensures that project teams, site supervisors, and office staff understand, embrace, and act on sustainability every day. This article explores strategies for fostering engagement, leadership approaches that inspire change, and practical initiatives—from toolbox talks to incentive programmes—that turn green practices into shared pride and lasting impact on construction sites.

Digital twins are transforming how cities and buildings are designed, built, and managed - offering a virtual testbed for climate resilience and net zero strategies. From optimising building energy use to simulating city-wide flood defences or transport flows, digital twins turn complex urban data into actionable insights. This article explores how architects, developers, and city leaders are using digital twins to cut carbon, improve efficiency, and create more sustainable, liveable places.

ESG has rapidly become a cornerstone of mergers and acquisitions in real estate and infrastructure, reshaping how deals are valued and risks assessed. Beyond financial and legal checks, buyers now scrutinise carbon footprints, climate risks, labour practices, and governance standards as part of pre-acquisition due diligence. This article explores the rise of ESG in M&A, the red flags investors watch for, and how proactive firms are uncovering hidden value through sustainability and social impact strategies.

Concrete is responsible for around 8% of global CO₂ emissions, but a new wave of “carbon-eating” technologies is challenging its reputation as one of the world’s dirtiest materials. From CO₂-injected mixes to limestone calcined clay cement (LC³), innovators are finding ways to lock carbon into concrete or reduce clinker use altogether. This article explores the science behind carbon-sequestering concretes, the promise and limitations of emerging solutions, and what it will take for these materials to move from pilot projects to mainstream construction.

From plastic-modified asphalt to self-healing concrete, the world’s roads and bridges are entering a new era of innovation. As infrastructure accounts for a major share of global carbon emissions, engineers and policymakers are embracing low-carbon materials, multifunctional designs, and climate-resilient systems to build smarter, greener networks. This article explores the cutting-edge technologies, policy drivers, and investment strategies reshaping infrastructure—transforming highways and bridges into sustainable assets for a net-zero future.

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), has become a defining benchmark for success in construction and real estate, influencing investment decisions, client relationships, and competitive advantage. As frameworks like GRESB, BREEAM, LEED, and the EU Taxonomy reshape industry expectations, firms must navigate a complex landscape of metrics, disclosures, and stakeholder demands. This article breaks down the major ESG standards, explains how to identify the most relevant metrics, and offers practical steps to turn compliance into lasting business value.

GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) is widely used in sustainable construction to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete by replacing high-emission Portland cement. But while its environmental benefits are clear, its global availability is limited and unevenly distributed. This article explores a balanced approach to GGBS us, one that weighs technical necessity, supply chain strength, and alternative SCM, offering a strategic framework for reducing emissions without unintended consequences.

Glass reuse is gaining momentum in sustainable construction, offering a circular solution to the high environmental cost of traditional glass production and disposal. With around 200,000 tonnes of building glass landfilled annually in the UK, innovative strategies like architectural reuse, foamed glass insulation, and cullet-based concrete are helping the industry cut emissions and conserve resources. This article explores the environmental case for glass reuse, practical applications, and the design, quality, and collaboration needed to scale its adoption across the built environment.

The UK’s new Modern Industrial Strategy marks a bold departure from decades of economic short-termism, laying out a ten-year roadmap for national prosperity, resilience, and regional renewal. With £86 billion in R&D and £725 billion in infrastructure investment, the strategy prioritises clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital innovation, and place-based growth. But success depends on more than ambition—it requires delivery, partnership, and sustained commitment to skills, regulation, and inclusive growth across every region of the UK.

Despite rapid technological progress across the UK economy, construction productivity has barely improved in two decades, growing just 0.4% annually. As policymakers focus narrowly on land use and planning reform, they risk missing the deeper structural issues holding the sector back: skills shortages, industry fragmentation, and widespread inefficiency. This article argues for a bold, integrated strategy, combining digital transformation, modern methods of construction, and workforce upskilling, to unlock construction’s full economic potential and position the UK as a global leader in modern building practices.

As climate records continue to be broken, the construction industry faces a pivotal choice: remain part of the problem or lead the way toward a sustainable future. With the built environment responsible for nearly 39% of global emissions - including embodied carbon from cement and steel - the challenge is immense. But as CIOB Vice-President Saul Humphrey argues, this moment presents a powerful opportunity for the industry to become a driver of climate solutions, embracing innovation, reducing impact, and rebuilding with the planet in mind.

ESRS E5 is set to transform the construction industry by mandating transparency in how materials are sourced, used, and managed. Focused on circular economy principles, this EU sustainability reporting standard requires developers, contractors, designers, and investors to prioritise resource efficiency, material reuse, and waste reduction. For firms ready to adapt, ESRS E5 offers a competitive edge—delivering lower costs, improved investor confidence, and alignment with the future of sustainable construction.

Biophilic materials are reshaping how we design buildings—infusing natural elements like timber, clay, and stone into our spaces to enhance health, well-being, and environmental sustainability. More than an aesthetic choice, these materials improve air quality, reduce stress, and reconnect people with nature. As the construction industry shifts toward more human-centric, sustainable practices, biophilic design offers a powerful solution—creating buildings that are not only functional, but also healing and alive.

Regenerative design is redefining the role of construction—from simply reducing harm to actively healing the planet. By creating buildings that generate more energy than they use, restore ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity, this forward-thinking approach positions the built environment as a force for environmental regeneration. As the UK aims for net-zero by 2050, regenerative design offers a roadmap for transforming construction into a climate-positive, resilient, and restorative industry.

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is reshaping expectations for transparency and ESG accountability across sectors—including construction. While UK firms aren’t directly bound by the regulation, those working with EU clients or seeking green finance must align or risk falling behind. From Scope 3 emissions and supply chain sustainability to lifecycle assessments and low-carbon materials, this article breaks down what the CSRD means for developers, contractors, architects, and investors navigating the future of sustainable construction.

As the UK faces rising temperatures, flooding, droughts, and coastal erosion, climate-resilient design is no longer optional—it’s essential. Architects and engineers are rethinking how we build by integrating passive strategies, adaptive materials, and flood-proof infrastructure to prepare for a changing climate. From Passivhaus principles to green roofs and rainwater harvesting, this article explores the design innovations shaping a safer, more sustainable built environment that can withstand tomorrow’s climate challenges.

Biogenic materials—such as timber, hemp, straw, and mycelium—are reshaping the future of sustainable construction by offering low-carbon, reusable alternatives to conventional materials. Beyond reducing emissions, these organic materials enhance indoor air quality, support occupant wellbeing, and align with circular economy principles. But to scale their use across the UK construction industry, the sector must overcome supply chain, regulatory, and cultural barriers. This article explores how embracing biogenic materials can unlock a healthier, more resilient, and future-proof built environment.

The UK’s plan to train thousands of new construction workers marks a pivotal moment for the industry, aiming to solve labour shortages and accelerate the building of 1.5 million homes. But success hinges on more than just workforce numbers—it demands supply chain resilience, environmental responsibility, and a shift toward circular economy principles. Without strategic planning, the initiative risks straining resources and increasing emissions. This article explores how the next generation of construction workers could drive a greener, more resilient transformation in the built environment.