2.2 million new materials were discovered, yet we continue to rely on the same materials in the sector that contribute the most to greenhouse gas emissions. Why aren't we using more sustainable building materials?
People say that we can’t build without concrete, but we actually can. Tools such as AI have discovered countless more sustainable building materials, so will we ever move beyond concrete, glass, and steel?
The construction industry remains reliant on traditional materials such as concrete, which accounts for 4-8% of global CO₂ emissions; steel, which emits 1.8 to 3.0 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne produced; and other materials like aluminium and glass, responsible for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Given these figures—and considering that material production is the most carbon-intensive phase of construction—the question is clear: why aren’t we using more sustainable building materials?
Firstly, construction companies are often reluctant to embrace change, as they operate on tight profit margins, and experimenting with new materials incurs additional costs. Secondly, building codes and regulations can take years to approve new materials, whereas concrete and steel have enjoyed legal backing for decades. Lastly, construction workers tend to favour traditional materials and methods, avoiding drastic shifts that could disrupt their workflow.
To solve the problem, many industry professionals can adopt the following measures: creating case studies that demonstrate the existence of much more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials, which others can observe and take as inspiration; demanding better information from manufacturers regarding environmental reports on materials and their carbon footprint; partnering with other innovation companies; educating clients about the existence of alternative materials that offer higher performance, cost savings, greater sustainability and a stronger future guarantee against regulations; and finally, working and collaborating with the system, including universities, municipalities or building control officers.
With these measures, it is expected that awareness regarding which materials to use in construction will grow, that funding for research and the number of qualified professionals will increase, that the time required to test, submit, and apply new materials will be reduced, that building codes will be modernised, and that construction will no longer be one of the least digitalised sectors.
