Trends in Sustainable Solutions for the Built Environment - Reflecting on 2024

This report summarises a range of solution trends that UKGBC has seen over the course of 2024, also providing context on their use and driving forces in the UK market.
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Written by UKGBC

This report summarises a range of sustainable solution trends that UKGBC has seen over the course of 2024, provides context on their use, and comments on the relevant driving forces in the UK market. The solutions discussed range from innovative new platforms and materials to transformative business models and processes. The analysis is based on engagement with innovation-focused UKGBC members (including input from UKGBC’s Solutions & Innovation Advisory Group), interviews with UKGBC topic leads, and desktop research.

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Key themes of 2024

Fundamental change, regenerative design and organisational transformation

Densification and democratisation of space

Place-based approaches and community co-design

Supply chain sustainability

Renewable energy systems

Retrofit

Net Zero Buildings and Whole Life Carbon

Carbon offsetting and storage

Nature, biodiversity and embodied ecological impacts

Funding for nature, adaptation and resilience

Resilience and adaptation technology

Water use

Reuse hubs and marketplaces

Material passports

This report is intended as a signpost for industry to key developments and reflect what UKGBC is hearing from industry and in research by others.  While this is a summary of some of the notable trends, solutions and examples of which UKGBC has become aware, there are likely to be others that are not mentioned. UKGBC does not formally endorse any of the individual solutions listed.  

Solutions and Innovation

At UKGBC we take a collaborative approach to identify sustainability challenges across the built environment and help source and implement the solutions to them.
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