Sustainable Buildings Technologies & Materials

Designing for Impact, Efficiency, and Resilience

Buildings account for a major share of global emissions, energy use, and resource consumption. Integrating sustainable technologies and materials into new builds or retrofits is a critical strategy for decarbonization, circularity, and compliance with evolving green building standards.

What do we mean by sustainable buildings?
It’s not just about energy-efficient lighting or insulation. Sustainable buildings are designed—or upgraded—to minimize environmental impact across their full life cycle: from material sourcing and construction through operation and eventual deconstruction or reuse. This includes smart design, renewable energy integration, water and waste efficiency, and use of materials with low embodied carbon or recycled content.

Key areas of focus:

Low-impact materials: Recycled, low-carbon, non-toxic, or locally sourced (e.g. FSC-certified timber, recycled steel, alternative concretes)
Smart building technologies: Energy management systems, sensors, HVAC optimization, real-time monitoring
Design principles: Passive design, modularity, cradle-to-cradle thinking, adaptive reuse
Certifications & frameworks: LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, WELL, Level(s), and national green building codes

World Green Building Council – Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront

WorldGBC’s flagship report highlights that embodied carbon will account for over half of total new construction emissions between now and 2050. It calls for coordinated industry action to address emissions from materials and construction processes, offering strategies like design optimization, material efficiency, and circular economy practices. The report is a pivotal resource for integrating embodied carbon targets into policy, design, and procurement decisions.... Show more

IPCC – Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report (AR6)

The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Synthesis Report consolidates the latest scientific findings on climate change impacts, adaptation, and mitigation across sectors, including buildings. It confirms that immediate, deep emission reductions are critical to limiting warming to 1.5°C and emphasizes the role of sustainable buildings in reducing global emissions and increasing resilience. The report is essential reading for ESG and building professionals needing scientific context for policy and decarbonization strategies.... Show more

WBCSD – Net‑Zero Buildings: Halving Construction Emissions Today

This report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) explores practical pathways to immediately reduce embodied carbon emissions in building construction. It emphasizes available solutions—like low-carbon materials and digital tools—that can cut emissions by at least 40-50% without waiting for future technologies. The report serves as a business-focused guide for developers, asset owners, and supply chain actors committed to net-zero goals.... Show more

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