Sustainable built environment

The UK construction industry generates £140 billion in GVA (gross value added) annually and continues to grow. The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) infrastructure project pipeline sets out 780 planned projects including transport, energy, schools and hospitals, giving investors and British business the certainty to plan for the long term. The government plans to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next 5 years, upgrade 300,000 residential properties in 2025 to 2026 and provide 5 million retrofits under the Warm Homes Plan. This will ensure there is a steady pipeline of projects for businesses and investors to capitalise on.

Opportunity highlights

Unlock the full potential of investment opportunities in the UK’s thriving sustainable built environment sector - where innovation, impact, and long-term value come together.

Green materials

With a £15 billion annual market in construction materials, regulatory momentum towards net zero is opening a market for low carbon and circular materials. Businesses that manufacture and innovate in sustainable products, whether natural or recycled, can tap into this rising demand.

Decarbonisation of concrete

The UK construction industry is partnering with government to achieve net zero by 2050, guided by the Low Carbon Concrete Route Map. Carbon capture, backed by £21.7 billion in government funding, supports major projects like HyNet to decarbonise cement and other heavy industries. Investment is needed to develop low-carbon processes, manufacture decarbonised cement and concrete, and scale alternatives to traditional clinker.

Tech solutions

The UK is backing digital tools to hit carbon targets. Major projects like HS2 and government departments applying BREEAM standards are driving demand for carbon measurement, material passports, and environmental product declarations (EPDs).

New digital standards such Building Information Modelling (BIM) are driving efficiencies and reducing the construction sector’s carbon impact, whilst reducing costs and improving collaboration. Exciting opportunities are emerging in platforms that enable circular material reuse, along with advanced tools for generating and verifying EPDs, driving smarter, greener construction.

Heat pumps

Heat pump sales rose 63% in 2024, off the back of the UK’s target of 600,000 installations annually by 2028 and strong consumer incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This paves the way for major investment across manufacturing, from compressors and hot water tanks to key supply chain components like large-scale pumps, pipes, and heat interface units. Heat network zoning also unlocks opportunities to develop, operate, and finance the next generation of low-carbon energy infrastructure.

Energy efficiency products

With the aim to upgrade housing, demand has grown for new standards and schemes focused on energy security and consumer protection. This has created strong market opportunities in airtightness solutions, advanced insulation materials, and high-performance windows.

Ventilation systems

With a strong supply chain, the UK is well positioned for new entrants to scale production of ventilation components for established manufacturers. The Future Homes Standard is driving demand for ventilation in both new builds and retrofits, creating a ready-made market within the UK’s £5.7 billion ventilation systems sector.

Smart building controls

With the UK smart controls market valued at £840 million annually, and growing at an impressive 26.5% CAGR (compound annual growth rate), this sector is fast emerging as a prime investment hotspot in the drive toward smarter, more sustainable buildings.

Building information management (BIM) and construction tech

Construction tech is transforming the industry, unlocking new efficiencies and accelerating commercial opportunities towards a sustainable built environment. The UK leads globally in areas like BIM, driven by government-backed standards. Investment is needed in augmented reality tools for planning and operations, drone technologies for high-precision site monitoring, and digital twins that simulate and optimise project performance in real time.

AI (artificial intelligence) for construction

AI is reshaping construction by optimising energy use in smart buildings, selecting low-carbon materials, and cutting costs through automation. The UK is leading this shift with initiatives like the AI Opportunities Action Plan and High Growth AI Accelerator. Investment is needed in areas including AI platforms for design and planning, real-time project monitoring, spatial development tools, and intelligent compliance solutions for BIM standards.

Commercial maturity

There are ambitious plans to get Britain building and unlock investment opportunities across the sustainable built environment. The UK government is delivering long term strategies to enable significant investment, including the 10 year infrastructure strategy, the 10 year housing strategy and an industrial strategy supporting growth and providing a significant pipeline of mature projects for companies to supply both the materials and technology.

Key UK assets

The UK has several centres of excellence supporting innovation and driving technological progress in the sustainable built environment.

Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor

The Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor in Southern England is an ambitious plan to transform the region into an economic engine for the whole of the UK. Backed by major investment in transport, water infrastructure, and public services, the corridor will see the development of 4,500 new homes, innovation hubs, and research facilities, including a new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

School Rebuilding Programme

The UK’s School Rebuilding Programme is delivering over 500 modern, energy-efficient schools across England, with all new buildings designed to meet net zero carbon standards. This initiative is improving learning environments and creating significant investment opportunities in sustainable construction, including low-carbon materials, energy-efficient systems, and green design technologies.

New towns

The UK government is reviving its ambition to build new towns, aiming to deliver well-planned communities with quality homes, infrastructure, and public services. These developments will be shaped by modern planning principles, with sustainability at their core, prioritising green spaces, low-carbon transport, and energy-efficient buildings. For investors, this presents a major opportunity to support and scale innovations in sustainable construction, smart infrastructure, and climate-resilient design, helping to shape the next generation of thriving, future-proof towns.

Research and development (R&D) capability

Institutions such as University College London’s Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources are at the leading edge, offering interdisciplinary programmes and managing multimillion-pound research portfolios focused on decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban systems. At Birmingham City University, research spans digital twins, lifecycle analysis, and smart green cities, with strong industry collaboration to ensure real-world impact.

The Construction Innovation Hub is driving innovation through the industry, developing solutions that help transform the sector by pioneering new ways that buildings and infrastructure are procured, designed, delivered and operated. These institutions not only drive innovation but also train future leaders, ensuring the UK remains a global hub for sustainable construction and environmental design.

Business and government support

The government’s sustainable built environment agenda focuses on accelerating sustainable development and energy efficiency. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill streamlines approvals to fast-track housing and infrastructure projects. The Warm Homes Plan supports retrofitting 5 million homes with insulation, solar panels, and low-carbon heating, through grants and low-interest loans. These initiatives aim to reduce emissions, lower energy bills and create green jobs, forming a core part of the UK’s net zero strategy.

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Talent

The UK construction industry, employing over 2.3 million people, is undergoing a major skills transformation. To meet the demand for new homes, the government has launched initiatives to train thousands of new workers. A £60 million investment through the Skills Bootcamps will provide free, flexible training in key trades like bricklaying and retrofit installation, with guaranteed job interviews upon completion. Additionally, a new Construction Skills Mission Group will coordinate efforts across industry and education to ensure a steady talent pipeline.