Sustainability construction in 2026
Data, decarbonisation and resilience
Adam Mactavish
Group Sustainability Director
In 2026, sustainability will shape construction everywhere. The scale and urgency are hard to ignore: roughly 40% of emissions are linked to the built environment. By 2050, we’re looking at around 200bn m² of new space, and almost all existing buildings will need some level of retrofit. As an industry, we must take action.
There’s good news. The cost of hitting sustainability goals is falling as technologies become more common. We’ve already seen dramatic price drops for solar and batteries over the past decade or two, and efficiency improvements in lighting. That trend will continue in 2026. But we still need to build the skills to deliver and maintain high-performing buildings.
What will shape sustainability in construction in 2026?
1. Retrofit, decarbonisation and electrification
Decarbonisation and electrification will continue to be a priority. But upgrading existing buildings isn’t easy. It means working around occupants, phasing carefully, and dealing with surprises that can throw off plans. And when it comes to older, lower-grade buildings, making the numbers stack up can be even harder.
2. Embodied carbon
Measuring carbon across a building’s whole life will become the norm. Teams will need to do it early, so it can shape design and procurement choices. Many are still building the skills, but early, reliable data will help everyone make confident, practical decisions.
3. Performance over certificates
It’s no longer enough for buildings to be designed to perform — they need to prove it. What matters is how they run once people move in, not the awards or certificates they’ve won. Occupiers are setting higher targets, putting pressure on landlords and developers to keep up.
4. Energy
Energy will still be a big focus for sustainable construction. We’ll see more investment in ways to generate and manage it, cutting running costs and opening up new revenue streams. But labour shortages will play a part. MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) skills are in short supply worldwide, so smart planning and scheduling will matter more than ever.
5. Climate resilience
We can’t treat climate risks like heat and flooding as an afterthought. They need to be planned in alongside decarbonisation. Green infrastructure (like shade, planting and drainage), boosts resilience, biodiversity and wellbeing, but it’s still often overlooked. Long-term resilience needs to be a priority for both existing buildings and new ones.
Construction Certainty Index: what it tells us about sustainability
The Construction Certainty Index scores delivery confidence from 0–100 across five areas. The Sustainability pillar reflects how doable and predictable sustainability feels for construction leaders on real projects. A higher score reflects increased confidence.
Confidence in sustainability is mixed, with no region or sector standing out. Europe scores lower than the Americas and APAC, potentially due to more complicated, ambitious and shifting sustainability regulations. For 2026, the implication is simple: expectations have changed. This will need real change in the way we approach design, construction and management. The winners will be the ones who can turn targets into a clear plan, with evidence and measurable results.
25 Findings taken from research undertaken among 1,060 senior decision-makers involved in construction and infrastructure planning. Construction Certainty Index | Currie & Brown.
What I’d do now to be ready for 2026
1
Use data from the start. Sustainability and cost experts are working more closely than ever. Why? Because fast-moving technologies need fast, accurate cost data. From day one, use benchmarking and scenario modelling to test options, compare materials and plan for both cost and performance. This leads to confident decisions that work for the long-term over a building’s entire lifecycle, whether retrofit or new build.
2
Treat resilience as a must-have.
Build a well-considered resilience strategy into plans from the beginning especially for decarbonisation retrofit works. This makes it more affordable and less disruptive, while making sure buildings stay safe, usable and insurable as climate risks increase.
3
Focus on proof.
Make embodied carbon part of early design and buying decisions. Judge success on real operational performance.
In 2026, organisations that do best will be the ones that plan earlier, measure what matters, and treat carbon and resilience as part of a joined-up approach.
Case study
Supporting sustainability goals in Shanghai
The residential project in Xuhui District, Shanghai is set to be the region’s first near zero energy development. It needs to meet world-leading sustainability goals. And not compromise costs and delivery control in the process. This is particularly challenging in a prime urban location.
We were involved early. We kept sustainability at the heart of the project. Working closely with the design team, we helped find new processes, systems and materials to ensure the project can meet its near zero targets. For example, using dual-supply equipment to reduce reliance on gas. The building’s facade also plays a key role. It’s designed to keep heat in or out, depending on the season.
We balanced cost and sustainability at every stage. This approach has provided delivery confidence, cost certainty and long-term value. It has allowed our client to deliver a future-ready, highly sustainable development.