精东影视

As Tony Blair highlighted last week in his report The Climate Paradox, the climate conversation has stalled. Not for lack of science or solutions, but because we have politicised the issue.

The UK, as it headed to the polls in local and mayoral elections last week, was a case in point. Climate action has become a battleground topic and there is a real risk it remains just that 鈥� a political football, not a shared responsibility.

But, while the politics play out, the clock keeps ticking and the construction sector 鈥� one of our biggest opportunities to drive climate progress 鈥� remains under-regulated and under-ambitious.

The carbon and waste crisis starts with construction

The built environment is responsible for around 40% of global carbon emissions. In the UK, new-build construction alone accounts for approximately 25% of the country鈥檚 total emissions. On most projects, concrete and steel account for the majority of this and demand for both is rising and expected to grow by almost 50% by 2050.

But carbon is not the only issue. According to the environment secretary Steve Reed, 62% of all waste in the UK comes from construction. That figure should be front-page news.

>> Also read: Labour has made no progress on climate adaptation since gaining power, CCC claims

>> Also read: Does Tony Blair have a point about net zero?

The government will publish a new 鈥渟trategy for circularity鈥� this autumn. Construction will be one of the first five sectors addressed, alongside chemicals, plastics, textiles, transport and agrifood. The plan promises long-term regulatory roadmaps for each sector, aiming to cut both emissions and costs through better use of resources.

It also signals a willingness to learn from international best practice, including approaches already adopted by the EU. This is a chance for real progress, but only if the strategy results in clear, enforceable legislation.

Embodied carbon is still being ignored

While operational energy use is regulated to a reasonable extent in the UK, embodied carbon remains largely unchecked. That includes the emissions tied to the manufacture, transportation and installation of materials, often the largest slice of a building鈥檚 environmental impact.

Lifecycle assessments (LCAs) are the best way to measure this. But outside of major projects in London, they are not yet a legal requirement. That creates a major regulatory gap.

And the industry knows it. NBS research shows that, while 97% of professionals see sustainability as important, 15% do not believe that their organisations will meet the government鈥檚 2050 net zero target. The reasons are familiar: lack of client demand, higher upfront costs, unclear guidance. Even when sustainable products are specified, they are often removed later due to budget or supply issues.

Digital tools can help - but they need policy support

Digital platforms such as NBS Source can give specifiers access to accurate, product-level data on carbon impact. That allows for smarter, lower-carbon design decisions. But digital tools alone are not the answer. Without policy backing, their impact is limited.

We need legislation that makes carbon measurement 鈥� and with embodied carbon ceilings 鈥� mandatory across the board and encourages reuse, recycling and full-life material planning. Sustainability must be embedded from the earliest design stage through to end of life.

We know what to do. It鈥檚 time to do it.

With the climate action plan due in 2025 and the seventh carbon budget on the horizon, the UK has a window to lead. The promised 鈥渟trategy for circularity鈥� could be a turning point, but only if it brings binding requirements and long-term accountability.

Construction must play a central role in our climate future. That means regulation, not just rhetoric. It means backing innovation, enforcing transparency and giving the sector the tools and direction it needs to change.

If we delay, we don鈥檛 just fall behind. We fail on climate, cost and responsibility.

Dr Lee Jones is head of sustainability at NBS (powered by Hubexo)