Energy Efficiency Through Construction

The construction industry is shifting towards more sustainable practices, including the use of lumber, which sequesters carbon and emits fewer emissions than concrete. Stockholm Wood City, a 60-acre mass timber development, plans to host 7,000 offices and 2,000 homes, setting new eco-friendly standards. Additionally, innovative solutions are reducing the environmental impact of traditional building materials. CarbonCure Technologies stores carbon within concrete, and fungal mycelium is being developed into bricks.

The adoption of green construction and growth in climate-friendly financial markets is projected to cut the construction industry's carbon footprint by 23 percent by 2035 and unlock $1.5 trillion in new investment opportunities in emerging markets over the next decade.

Sustainable building practices encourage a shift away from carbon-intensive materials, influence construction standards and codes, and foster circularity in the construction industry, which could have far-reaching implications for sustainability goals. Planners need to be aware of eco-friendly construction practices as they can have direct impacts on the sustainability of development within their cities.