With an estimated 80% of all buildings in 2050 already having been built, the decarbonising existing housing stock will be essential to reach net-zero. Retrofitting of insulation and increasing the efficiency of heating methods must be addressed as well as homes are responsible for 16% of total UK carbon emissions, with a significant percentage coming from fossil fuel boilers. With the cost of oil and gas rapidly rising, particularly affected by the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the implementation of the CLC’s National Retrofit Strategy is urgently needed to help meet net-zero, as well as affordably heating homes.

Furthermore, from the government's September 2022 report, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is supported as a viable and green solution, as they estimate new MMC methods (such as SEISMIC) to have a 70% reduction in whole life carbon emissions, through reduced waste, improved building heat and energy performance and the recyclability of the components compared to previous modular solutions, which have additional environmental benefits compared to traditional methods.

A recent report from the UK Green Building Council has confirmed what measures need to be taken within the built environment sector to achieve the Net-Zero target by 2050. The Whole Life Carbon Roadmap indicates changes required in regulation and policy to help the industry reach targets, as well as providing action plans and recommendations for key industry stakeholders. 

During COP27, the UK Government promised to fulfil their commitments to reduce emissions by at least 68 per cent by 2030, which further raises the stakes for a transition to green and sustainable homes, buildings, roads, and transport networks. Construction and civil engineering providers must look to new and adaptive technologies to reduce emissions, and building safe, fair, inclusive, and sustainable cities for the future.