The construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to one of the most pressing crises of our time: climate change. It is also an industry with huge potential for innovation that can—and often does—find new ways to exceed standards and provide valuable and exciting solutions. As the industry grapples with ways to solve the greenhouse gas emission problem, new building technologies and new ways to evaluate sustainability continue to rise to the surface, providing designers and building owners better options for sustainable projects. Life-cycle assessment and environmental product declarations help designers make informed decisions, while a circular economy approach to materials and “green” technologies, including low-carbon concrete, help move the built environment toward a better-built world.

Photo courtesy of Boston University