What is Net Zero Construction?

What Is Net Zero?

For construction businesses, Net Zero refers to their commitment to reducing business carbon emissions to as close to zero as possible. This is achieved through reducing the overall usage through the implementation of:

• Renewable energy.
• Electric vehicles.
• Sustainable materials.
• Waste reduction strategies.

Business can also fund initiatives to remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere by planting trees etc.

More broadly, the term means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released into the atmosphere with the amount removed. Net Zero is on also on the political agenda with nations and governments implementing legislation and initiatives to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This target was agreed upon in the Paris Agreement to mitigate the most severe impacts of climate change. 

Achieving Net Zero is challenging for the construction industry, but it is essential for organisations wanting to remain ahead of environmental legislation changes and changing public perceptions. It demands innovation and a transformation in energy systems, industry practices, and consumer habits. Failure to adapt could lead to concerning consequences for the longevity of businesses.

What Is the UK’s Net Zero Target for 2050?

The UK's net zero target for 2050 is a legally binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels. This legal obligation came into effect during the amendment of the Climate Change Act 2008, which made the UK the first major economy to set a legally binding net zero goal.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is an independent advisory body that helps shape UK climate policies. It has provided a number of recommendations for the UK government including:

• All new buildings should be net zero in operation by 2025, through stricter energy efficiency standards.
• Embodied carbon regulations should be introduced to reduce emissions from materials and construction processes.
• The UK must retrofit over 29 million existing buildings with better insulation and low-carbon heating.

These recommendations have influenced government policies like the Future Homes Standard, energy efficiency grants, and proposals to regulate embodied carbon.

UK Government Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener

The government published their Build Back Greener net zero strategy in 2021, and it outlines a plan for how the UK will reach net zero by 2050. For the construction sector, it focuses on:

• New energy-efficient buildings: Stricter Future Homes and Future Buildings Standards will ensure new homes and commercial properties have lower carbon footprints.
• Retrofitting existing homes: Schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme promote heat pumps and better insulation.
• Decarbonising materials: Promoting low-carbon concrete, sustainable timber, and recycled materials.
• Reducing waste: Supporting a circular economy to cut construction waste and improve material reuse.
• Greener infrastructure: Mandating Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), urban tree planting, and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).

What Does Net Zero Mean in Construction?

The construction industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the construction and building sector accounts for 37% of global CO2 emissions. These emissions stem from two primary sources:

• Operational Emissions: Generated from the energy used to heat, cool, and power buildings.
• Embodied Carbon: Emissions produced during the manufacturing, transportation, and installation of building materials.

The primary focus for all construction businesses should emphasise retrofitting existing buildings to decarbonise, and upskilling staff to be more environmentally aware. The latter is a very alarming concern in recent years due to the abnormally large green skills gap in construction.

Efforts to reduce carbon emissions often involve transitioning to renewable energy sources, adopting energy-efficient designs, and incorporating sustainable materials like recycled steel or cross-laminated timber. However, achieving these goals requires an appropriately trained workforce equipped with the skills to implement innovative solutions.

What Is the Biggest Contribution to Global Emissions in the Construction Industry?

The construction industry is a major driver of global economic growth, but it also stands as one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Among its many impacts, building materials account for a significant share of emissions, with cement and steel leading the charge. 

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2022 Emissions Gap Report, cement production accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions. The process releases CO₂, when limestone is heated in kilns, making it highly carbon intensive. According to the International Energy (IEA), 7% of global emissions are down to steel productions over reliance on coal-fired blast furnaces.

The reports highlight several viable solutions to the biggest contributors of carbon emissions in the construction industry.

Embrace Innovative Materials

• Low-carbon concrete (e.g., geopolymer concrete) and cement alternatives.
• Green steel production using renewable energy and hydrogen.
• Bio-based materials such as hempcrete and mycelium composites.

Implement Economy Principles

• Material reuse and recycling: Extending the lifecycle of construction materials.
• Modular and prefabricated construction: Reducing waste and improving efficiency.
• Deconstruction instead of demolition: Salvaging materials for future projects.

Coordinate Global Collaboration and Policy Action

• Governments must implement strict embodied carbon regulations and encourage sustainable building codes.
• Industry leaders should invest in research and development of carbon-neutral materials.
• International collaboration is key to standardising green certification systems and reducing supply chain emissions.

How to Achieve Net Zero in Your Business?

For businesses in construction to achieve net zero, a combination of workforce upskilling, modern construction methods and collaboration is required. There are a number of actions that businesses can undertake to ensure their net zero goals succeed.

Advocate for and Adopt Government Incentives

Try to leverage carbon regulations and financial incentives to transition to low-emission construction. The government offers grants, tax incentives, and funding programs for sustainable building projects which can offer some relief.

Embrace a Whole Life Carbon (WLC) Approach

Assess and reduce the entire carbon footprint of a building, from its design to its demolition. Carbon accounting processes will be essential during this process, to track and mitigate emissions through a project’s lifecycle. Your employees may need expert guidance and training, which can be achieved through our Carbon Accounting course.

Select Low-Embodied Carbon Materials

Choose recycled, bio-based or low carbon alternatives for cement, steel, and insulation. Prioritise working with suppliers that utilise sustainable sourcing and production.

Prioritise Retrofitting Over Rebuilding

Renovating existing buildings saves embodied carbon and material waste. This might involve installing energy-efficient upgrades like insulation, heat pumps and solar panels to improve sustainability.

Adopt Circular Economy Practices

Reduce construction waste by reusing and recycling materials. During the design process, you should also account for deconstruction, allowing buildings to be dismantled and reused efficiently.

Leverage Digital Tools

The emergence of new technologies presents new opportunities for sustainable outcomes. Use Building Information Modelling (BIM) and carbon tracking software to measure and manage emissions and implement AI and IoT technologies to enhance energy efficiency in construction projects.

Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration

Work with architects, engineers, suppliers and policymakers to align sustainability goals and create sustainable outcomes across the supply chain. Use this to create industry partnerships and knowledge-sharing initiatives to drive innovation.

The construction industry is at a crossroads. To thrive in the new era of sustainable development, businesses must establish a net zero strategy. One of the primary ways to do this is through the IEMA Pathways to Net Zero course, below. This course covers everything you need to know about Net Zero and how to create realistic science-based targets by equipping learners with the ability to:

• Explain how to establish a net zero strategy (short and long-term targets).
• Implement a decarbonisation plan with suitable targets and milestones to deliver on a science-based target and/or net zero objectives.
• Explain how to reduce greenhouse emissions where these are influenced but not directly controlled by the organisation (Scope 3).
• Explain how to communicate externally about responses to the climate crisis, net zero and making robust green claims – avoiding greenwashing or greenhushing.

Head over to the course page, via the button below, to access the full course syllabus, view our FAQs and even try a free course demo.