The UK’s transition to a circular economy

By Valeska Pack, BSc (Hons) BArch MSc (Dist) PhD researcher

Valeska is currently working with Populous Architects and affiliated with WSA, Cardiff University to research towards the decarbonisation of buildings and the transition towards circular economy in the built environment.

What is a circular economy and why do we need to change it?

At the moment our world operates on a linear economy where raw materials are extracted around the globe, manufactured into components or products, then consumed and once not needed, simply thrown away as waste. This happens in every sector: whether its food, manufacturing or of course the construction industry.

However, when we focus on the construction industry, this sector consumes almost 50% of global raw materials extracted with demand projected to at least double by 2060. Construction and buildings also produce vast amounts of emissions from their operations as well as the production of those building components and construction processes. As a result, the building industry is responsible for 39% of global emission which makes it the most important sector to decarbonise in order to meet our UK legal commitment for Carbon neutrality by 2050.

Focussing on the end-of-life of our construction projects and the buildings themselves (predominantly demolished at the end of their life), the construction industry also creates more than 62% of the world’s waste, of which about half still goes straight to landfill.

So how do we change this linear model that is engrained in our society?

A circular economy aims to minimise waste by maximising the life of our resources. This means promoting reuse, recycling and regeneration for our buildings and their components or materials. The idea is to keep buildings and their components in use for as long as possible which then reduces the demand for new resources, as well as the carbon it takes to make new components.

This diagram illustrates the differences between a linear and circular economy

What does this mean for planning and building control?

Last year (2024) our UK government set up the Circular Economy Taskforce to legislate towards our transition to a Circular Economy in support of the UK’s commitment for Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

In local government the Greater London Authority (GLA) has been actively promoting the Circular Economy through its policies and guidance for new projects at planning stage and other boroughs are following suit across the UK.

So, what challenges planners and building control professionals face while try to help the UK transition to a Circular Economy in our construction industry?
What planning reform needs to take place?
How can we learn from other countries who are already ahead of us in this transition and share best practices across the UK?

If you would like to know more about circular economy and discuss these questions, we are inviting you for our upcoming online CPD training: Circular economy transition.

During this 1.5-hour session we will provide you a good general overview of the UK Circular Economy transition requirements aimed at informing local government planning and building control professionals in the UK, you will have opportunity for a question and answer session.

We will cover some of the major topics to give you a good summary of the subject and the challenges local government faces: