WHAT IS THE SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION BAROMETER?
The Sustainable Construction Barometer is an international survey that covers 27 countries, which helps us to understand local issues relating to sustainable construction. We can use the survey to understand perceptions of sustainable construction and any progress that's being made, along with any areas that need to be actioned collectively.
It's a really important decision-making tool for stakeholders to use, as the results will help to inform those who can make the required changes to the construction industry to help make it more sustainable for generations to come.
Greater awareness of sustainable construction
67% of stakeholders claim to have a good grasp of the concept of sustainable construction. This figure has risen by 6 points over the past year.
The perceived urgency to act on the subject remains high: 69% of stakeholders consider the implementation of more sustainable construction a priority. This stable result is backed up by a perception shared by citizens, who are on board with the issue: 60% consider it a priority, and 95% consider it important.
The role of different stakeholders
87% of stakeholders believe that we need to “go further” in sustainable construction. Those involved in the design phase, positioned upstream in the value chain, appear as essential drivers: 56% of stakeholders consider architects and engineering firms to be the most legitimate players to advance this transition, followed by private companies in the sector at 44%. However, priorities vary widely from region to region. Europe stands out for its strong interest in building renovation;
The definition is still largely focused on the environment, with resilience gaining
While stakeholders claim to better understand the concept, they still associate sustainable construction primarily with environmental issues. The energy efficiency of buildings (35%) and the use of ecological materials (31%) remain the main criteria for defining the concept.
Resilience in the face of climatic hazards is becoming an increasingly important issue. This topic has seen the strongest growth since the previous edition, reaching 21% (+8 points compared to 2024).
