Barriers to Achieving Net-Zero Carbon in Buildings

Construction’s annual carbon output, including that from construction and building operations, is responsible for about 40 percent of annual global energy-related emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. At the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, more than 100 countries made various pledges to reach net-zero emissions, reverse deforestation, or significantly increase the use of renewable energy by 2030 or a later time frame. 

While some are optimistic about the feasibility of these pledges, others see barriers to achieving the goal of net-zero carbon. A survey by UK-based construction consultancy Patrick Parsons on the efforts and potential barriers to achieving net-zero carbon in the UK offers an interesting snapshot. The UK is the world’s fifth-largest economy as ranked by GDP and depends on the construction industry for about 10 percent of its annual GDP. Similar to the global trend, the UK’s construction and building operations account for around 40 percent of the country’s total carbon emissions.

In the survey, Patrick Parsons interviewed project managers who have collectively been involved in more than £26 billion worth ($34 billion) of construction projects over the past year, a significant percentage (20 to 25 percent) of the annual total output.

The survey found that most (86 percent) of the participants believe that COP26 will accelerate advances in sustainability in the construction sector during 2022 and that the industry is doing enough to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Most executives see significant commercial value in developments with sustainable design, with 83 percent saying that designing projects with green credentials gives them a competitive advantage, and 86 percent saying that sustainable design adds value to current developments. Thus, most respondents expect the value of developments with sustainable design to increase by 10 to 20 percent over the next three years. 

Interestingly, water neutrality, similar to its carbon counterpart but receiving less attention, will become a major consideration in the construction industry. According to Patrick Parsons Associate Andy Johnson, “Water neutrality is rising up the sustainability agenda as the construction industry focuses on using scarce natural resources more responsibly and placing even greater importance on protecting natural habitats and pollution and flood prevention.” Although the executives surveyed say that a small percentage of their organization’s developments are water neutral, there is a push toward water neutrality. For example, 44 percent of the survey participants expect 20 to 50 percent of their projects to be water neutral by 2025.

In addition, the executives surveyed think that improvements in building materials, the supply chain and sustainable design can help reduce a project’s carbon footprint. For example, 62 percent of respondents mention a lack of alternative materials with a lower carbon footprint. In addition, more than two-thirds (68 percent) of respondents call for reducing the carbon footprint of the building material supply chain. Moreover, 52 percent believe that sustainable design will become increasingly important over the next 12 months. Lastly, the respondents highlight the need to involve policymakers in response to COP26, with 63 percent saying that changes in existing planning regulations are needed for the sector to hit the target.