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A roundtable in Birmingham proposes bold steps to cut carbon in Midlands' construction

A village in the countryside
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United Kingdom

A roundtable in Birmingham proposes bold steps to cut carbon in Midlands' construction

04 December 2024
The UK construction industry’s carbon emissions, driven by embodied carbon in materials like steel, demand reforms, clear policies, and innovations like timber use to meet net zero goals. A roundtable in Birmingham discussed the Midlands' specific challenges and opportunities in achieving these targets.
Editorial Team

The construction industry is a major contributor to UK carbon emissions, particularly through embodied carbon from materials like steel and concrete

Achieving net zero by 2050 requires regulatory reforms, client engagement, and innovation in material use, such as timber

A Birmingham roundtable of experts emphasised the need for whole-life carbon accounting and highlighted regional disparities in standards, such as London’s stricter frameworks versus the Midlands’ inconsistencies.

Proposals include adopting Part Z, a regulation to limit embodied carbon, and increasing timber use despite challenges from cost, safety rules, and industry hesitation. 

Clear policies, government leadership, and client incentives are critical to progress.

Olivia Barber
Original source:
Themes
Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
Energy efficiency technologies and solutions
Construction materials and circular construction