The UK built environment has a pivotal role to play in addressing the climate crisis. As we move closer to 2050 and our national net-zero target, the need for urgent and decisive action has never been clearer. At the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), we are committed to driving progress by supporting the industry and advocating for policy that is aligned with a sustainable and resilient future.

Understanding the whole life carbon challenge

The Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap (the Roadmap), a flagship publication from UKGBC, highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to carbon reduction in the built environment. The Roadmap investigates the built environment’s historical emissions from both operational energy use and embodied carbon, subsequently projecting forward up to 2050, and setting out the actions needed to reach net zero.

Historically, operational carbon has dominated the UK’s emissions profile. However, as the energy efficiency of buildings improves, the topic of embodied carbon is becoming increasingly significant. Without intervention, the emissions tied to construction and materials could undermine the UK’s progress toward its net-zero goals.

The role of policy and regulation

Regulation is critical to address embodied carbon. While the UK has made strides in operational energy efficiency, embodied carbon remains largely unregulated. To ensure we stay on track to meet our climate commitments, we must:

• Mandate the measurement and reporting of whole life carbon emissions ;
• Subsequently introduce legal limits on upfront embodied carbon, with a view to future revision and tightening.

The Future Homes Standard, alongside initiatives like the Warm Homes Plan and the commitment to building 1.5 million new homes, presents an opportunity to embed sustainability into the UK’s construction landscape. Yet, it is essential that these policies prioritise embodied carbon reduction alongside operational efficiency.

Empowering the industry with the right tools

Beyond regulation, the industry must take responsibility for reducing carbon emissions. Tools like UKGBC’s Roadmap, Cost Evaluation Studies, and Learning Programmes provide practical guidance to support stakeholders. For instance, the retrofit calculator allows users to explore the costs and benefits of upgrading existing homes, highlighting the health and economic advantages of energy-efficient housing.

UKGBC’s work on embodied carbon last year, focused on improving the consistency and transparency of carbon modelling and reporting. The project collaborated with architects, engineers, and developers to enhance the accuracy of embodied carbon assessments and ensure they are integrated into every stage of project planning and delivery. Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCAs) play a pivotal role, as they offer a comprehensive evaluation of a building’s environmental impact across its entire lifecycle, from material sourcing and construction to operation and eventual disposal. Embedding WLCAs into standard practices helps decision-makers identify areas of improvement, prioritize sustainable alternatives, and drive meaningful carbon reductions.

A collective approach to carbon reduction

To achieve net-zero, collaboration is essential. The construction industry, policymakers, and local authorities must work together to drive progress. This includes adopting a unified regulatory approach to carbon regulation, ensuring that embodied carbon is measured and addressed consistently across the UK.

As we look ahead, I encourage all stakeholders to embrace the challenge of decarbonising the built environment. The Stakeholder Action Plans, from the Roadmap, set out the actions that should be taken by organisations across industry to collectively take responsibility for reaching net zero. By embedding sustainability into our policies, practices, and projects, we can create a future that is not only carbon-neutral but also healthier and more resilient for everyone.