Construction & the Built Environment
Scotland's construction and built environment sector is a vital part of the national economy, driving sustainable infrastructure, housing, and urban development through skilled labour, innovation, and collaboration across public and private sectors.
Construction is an extractive industry. By unlocking the potential of innovative design, reuse and recycling, we can reduce our reliance on raw materials and instead harness the value of materials that would otherwise end up in landfill or incineration.
We can do more with less
The World Economic Forum reports that construction companies spend more than twice as much on materials as they do on labour or energy. We also know from Scotland’s Material Flow Analysis that most of our carbon emissions relate to the materials we consume.
By reusing materials and designing buildings for future reuse, we can cut costs and emissions.
Using surplus, mis-ordered, or reclaimed materials from demolitions not only saves money but also reduces reliance on volatile global supply chains - helping to avoid price spikes or delays.
Innovative design, reuse, and recycling will let us do more with fewer raw materials, tapping into resources that would otherwise go to landfill. This shift supports long-term economic resilience, boosts business competitiveness, and creates local jobs.
Rethinking material use in construction
One of the problems we face is that we are consuming more raw materials and the natural environment is struggling to meet our demand. We must therefore look to alternative materials and different ways of working.
We need to take responsibility for the emissions our demand for the built environment creates by understanding the whole life carbon impacts of the products we use. It’s clear now that fossil fuel emissions arise at every point in the supply chain, from the extraction, processing, transport and disposal of materials.
These emissions relating to the materials we use are unregulated and we currently only measure the emissions that arise from our electricity and heat use in buildings.
Circular economy principles in construction
Collaboration: Foster partnerships across the supply chain to enable circular practices.
Whole Life Value: Consider long-term environmental, social, and economic value, not just upfront costs.
Health and Wellbeing: Prioritise materials and designs that support occupant health.
Long Life / Loose Fit: Design buildings to be adaptable and durable over time.
Low Carbon: Minimise both operational and embodied carbon emissions.
Smart Construction: Use digital tools like BIM to optimise design, construction, and deconstruction.
Material Recoverability: Ensure materials can be reclaimed and reused at end-of-life.
Design Out Waste: Avoid waste through thoughtful design and specification.
Circular Products and Services: Use products designed for reuse, repair, or remanufacture.
Material Management: Efficiently manage materials throughout the project lifecycle.
Building a sustainable future
We need to communicate the Scottish economic opportunities that can be created as we move towards a new circular construction sector, whether that is in carbon accounting, planning and design; trade, refurbishment, remanufacture; or the development of new products and services.
If you're involved in construction and the built environment in Scotland, especially in leadership or strategic roles, this is a prime time to:
- Embed circular construction principles in your contracts.
- Commit to mapping your supply chain and understanding associated carbon emissions.
- Introduce quotas relating to the use of sustainable, recycled and reused materials.
Tools and resources
Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard
Developed in partnership with Scottish Futures Trust and NHS National Services for Scotland, this voluntary agreement was designed to help support a wide range of building projects meet their net zero objectives.
Designing out Construction Waste
This easy-to-use guide was developed as a revision of the Scottish Ecological Design Association’s guide to designing for deconstruction and set out clear circular design principles
Procuring Resource Efficient Construction Projects
This interactive guide equips both clients and contractors with key wording to procure and deliver resource efficient construction projects. This can help reduce emissions and give users a competitive edge.
Supply Chain Sustainability School
Supply Chain Sustainability School is a virtual learning platform around sustainability, with the aim to upskill those working within, or aspiring to work within, the built environment sector.
Support from external organisations
BE-ST
BE-ST work with decision-makers, leaders, and changemakers across education, research, industry, SMEs, and the public and third sectors to unlock new value, inspire impactful change, and accelerate solutions for zero carbon construction.
Scottish Futures Trust
Scottish Futures Trust is a public body which provides independent expert advice to the Scottish Government and is Scotland’s infrastructure centre of expertise.
Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA)
Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) is a neutral, independent and not-for-profit body that links organisations with common interests and facilitates a range of collaborative activities that help improve the industry.
Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA)