Circularity and Low
Consistent requirements for all projects to follow, targets and transparency requirements for projects to meet, prioritising circularity - that is, less new building and more reuse and refurbishment, design optimization to materials with a low-carbon footprint, and a low-carbon procurement are essential measures for meeting decarbonisation.
The building sector accounts directly and indirectly for around 38% of global energy-related CO2 emissions (UNEP 2020). Of those total emissions, building operations are responsible for 28% annually, while building materials and construction (typically referred to as embodied carbon ) are responsible for an additional 11% annually.
The role of circularity and low
How is the construction and building industry going to be transformed in order to met the energy transition targets? According to Iulia Potor, from Partel , by integrating Life Cycle assessment for construction projects, professionals can optimise whole life carbon , cost, and circularity of design.
The way we build now and , in the future, will quickly change from best practices to essential ones for construction professionals.
Essential role of circularity & low
Consistent requirements for all projects to follow, targets and transparency requirements for projects to meet, prioritising circularity - that is, less new building and more reuse and refurbishment, design optimization to materials with a low-carbon footprint, and a low-carbon procurement are essential measures for meeting decarbonisation.
While the operational energy consumption in low energy buildings is significantly reduced, the embodied GHG emissions of the building materials used in construction can account for half of the life-cycle carbon footprint of the building . Author: Gianluca Grazieschi (Eurac Research). Note: opinions in the articles are of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the EU.
PDF Circular and Low
1. Introduction to circular and low carbon building materials The promotion of environmentally sustainable products has generated interest in bio-based materials , materials with recycled content, and the beneficial utilization of waste (secondary) materials . From an environmental standpoint, environmentally sustainable materials are those with minimal embodied energy. The embodied energy in ...
In 2026, a convergence of tightening regulation, digital material tracking, and shifting economics is pushing construction circularity from a niche sustainability ambition into a strategic imperative for developers, contractors, and building owners worldwide.
From Material Intelligence to Circularity
Learn how innovative materials and techniques are redefining architecture, promoting circular economies and sustainable construction practices.
Therefore, a clear roadmap with practical strategies that promote material circularity is needed. This study aims to identify the drivers, barriers, and strategies, concurrently formulating a framework to enhance material circularity in building construction projects.