Sustainable Practices in Construction: 2024 in Review

4 December 2024

As we approach the end of 2024, it’s important to reflect on the progress made in sustainable construction practices and their impact on our industry. The construction sector, historically known for its significant environmental footprint, has shown strong advancements in adopting eco-friendly methods and materials in 2024.

Key Sustainability Trends in 2024

This year has seen a notable shift towards more sustainable practices in construction:

1. Green Building Certifications: There has been an increase in projects seeking green building certifications such as BREEAM and LEED, indicating a growing commitment to sustainable building practices.
2. Biodiversity Net Gain Regime: As of February 2024, a mandatory biodiversity net gain of 10% is required for most planning applications. This regulation compels developers to ensure a net increase in biodiversity, promoting sustainability.
3. Sustainable Sourcing: Companies are increasingly adopting carbon-neutral strategies, utilising recycled materials and incorporating renewable energy sources into their projects.
4. Energy Efficiency: The industry has witnessed a heightened focus on energy-efficient designs and improved building insulation to reduce energy consumption.

Challenges in Implementing Sustainable Practices

Despite these advancements, the industry still faces several challenges:

1. Inconsistent Policy Support: While there are initiatives promoting sustainability, some regulatory and policy barriers may still hinder the adoption of new sustainable technologies and materials.
2. Supply Chain Disruptions: Ongoing supply chain challenges affect the availability and cost of sustainable materials.
3. Resistance to Change: The construction industry traditionally has been slow to adopt new practices, which can impede the implementation of sustainable methods.
4. Project Timelines: Sustainable practices may require more time for planning and execution, potentially conflicting with tight project schedules.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we look towards 2025 and beyond, several sustainable trends are emerging:

1. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: We will see the increased adoption of renewable energy systems as well as greater focus on energy-efficient designs, including improved insulation and energy-efficient windows.
2. Whole Life Carbon Assessments: More councils across the UK are adopting whole life carbon (WLC) methodologies as part of their planning application processes. This includes assessing the embodied and operational carbon of buildings.
3. Increased Collaboration: Enhanced cooperation among stakeholders— ConTech start-ups, architects, builders, developers, policymakers, and communities—is becoming a key driver of sustainable construction.
4. Recycled Materials & Waste Management: Greater emphasis on the circular economy concept, promoting the reuse and recycling of building materials. This also includes improved waste management strategies to reduce the industry’s contribution to landfills. Soil Link is designed to facilitate these efforts by providing a platform that supports the sustainable management and trading of heavy construction materials – we are ahead of the trend for 2025!

Conclusion

The construction industry has made significant strides in sustainability throughout 2024, but there is still work to be done. As we move into 2025, it is crucial for all stakeholders in the construction sector to prioritise sustainable practices. By embracing innovative technologies, like our own Material Exchange Platform, as well as new methods of building, we can continue to reduce our environmental impact whilst improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.