UK Built Environment Whole Life Carbon Roadmap – Where are we now?
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Ecotricity Business’ partner, the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), is soon to publish the latest data on sector emissions reductions for the built environment. Here the industry body’s Senior Partnerships and Programmes Manager, Alex Benstead, offers early insight on how much progress is being made and where the industry needs to do better.
To avoid the worst catastrophes of the climate crisis, globally we must halve carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. The built environment is directly responsible for 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions and, therefore, has a moral and legal responsibility to rapidly decarbonise. UKGBC's Whole Life Carbon Roadmap was created by a range of industry voices in response to this context and sets out a clear trajectory for industry and government as we work towards a net zero future.
Since the launch of the Roadmap, every two years, UKGBC publishes updates on the built environment sector’s progress towards meeting our net zero trajectory. This Progress Report presents the operational carbon, embodied carbon, and fluorinated gas (F gas) emissions of the entire UK domestic, non-domestic, and infrastructure stock, based on reported data, for comparison against the progress determined to be necessary by the original Roadmap.
The latest Progress Report is due to be published in Spring 2026 and UKGBC is able to share early insights:
UK built environment emissions reduced 14% since 2018, falling short of the 24% reduction needed
Annual operational emissions reduced significantly, by 21%, falling just short of the Roadmap trajectory (24%)
The carbon intensity of electricity has fallen 24% since 2018, compared to the 67% predicted
The carbon intensity of the grid has fallen less than predicted, with the lower than expected reduction likely due to supply chain, grid connection issues, and slower than predicted infrastructure upgrades. There has been policy progress, with heat pumps increasing through grants and planning reform and mandatory solar panels on majority new builds, but the rate of change is still not quick enough. This was also observed in the Climate Change Committee's latest progress report.
At UKGBC, we believe in the power of collaboration and continuous improvement. Our Roadmap is not just a document; it is a living guide that will evolve as we engage with our members, policymakers, and the wider industry. Together, alongside our Partners such as Ecotricity Business, we will ensure that the insights gained from this journey are not only understood but also put into action.
For the built environment, the Roadmap represents our shared vision for a decarbonised sector. We invite industry leaders and policymakers to embrace this guidance for informed decision-making and strategic direction. At UKGBC, we are committed to aligning our carbon reduction initiatives with the aspirations outlined in the Roadmap. By building a strong foundation of knowledge and guidance, we are paving the way for a net-zero built environment.
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