CBC Webinar #1 Recap: Four Circular Buildings Pathways Towards 2050

The session explored groundbreaking ideas on how the building sector can play a key role in fighting climate change through circular practices.

Missed the webinar? Don't worry! You can catch the full recording of the event, and we strongly encourage you to watch it if you're passionate about the future of sustainable building.

On 12th September 2024, the Circular Buildings Coalition (CBC) hosted an insightful and thought-provoking webinar, "Four Circular Building Pathways Towards 2050." We are incredibly grateful to all those who attended and made this event a resounding success. The session explored groundbreaking ideas on how the building sector can play a key role in fighting climate change through circular practices.

‍Key Takeaways from the Webinar:

The webinar highlighted four key pathways to reduce CO₂emissions in the building industry by up to 84% by 2050 by applying circular principles. Led by Nico Schouten, Built Environment Team Lead at Metabolic, and followed by an expert panel discussion, the session covered the following crucial points:

• How the EU Building Sector Impacts the Environment
  The talk began with an overview of the environmental challenges posed by the EU’s building sector today. With buildings contributing a significant portion of carbon emissions, urgent change is required to meet the climate goals of tomorrow.

• Four Circular Pathways for a Sustainable Future
  The core of the discussion revolved around four key circular pathways:
   
  • Build Nothing New: Focus on better use of existing buildings to avoid unnecessary new construction.
   
  • Build for Long-Term Use: Prioritize the durability and adaptability of structures, ensuring buildings last longer with minimal waste.
   
  • Build Efficiently: Maximize resource use by designing smartly and reducing excess.
   
  • Build with the Right Materials: Opt for low-carbon, secondary, or recycled materials to minimize environmental impact.

• Cutting Down CO₂ and Reducing Primary Materials Use
  These pathways show how adopting circular interventions can slash carbon emissions and reduce reliance on primary raw materials, providing a roadmap for a cleaner, more sustainable building sector.

• Considering the Impact on Society and Risks
  The webinar addressed how these circular approaches might affect individuals and industries. It also explored the potential risks of transitioning to circular systems, from economic impacts to policy challenges, emphasizing the importance of careful planning.

• Action Steps to Implement Circular Pathways
  Finally, the panelists discussed the key steps needed to bring these circular building pathways to life, including industry collaboration, policy support, and ongoing innovation.
   

Meet the Experts:We were honoured to have a distinguished panel of speakers who brought diverse perspectives to the conversation:

• Nico Schouten, Built Environment Team Lead at Metabolic
• Alessia Santoro, Senior Associate - Built Environment, World Business Councilfor Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
• Max Russell, Senior Consultant - Climate and Sustainability Service, Arup
• Carolina Montano-Owen, Technical Lead, Sustainable Buildings, World Green Building Council (WorldGBC)

What’s Next?

‍The discussion also emphasized how we can drive these circular interventions forward and turn vision into action. Industry collaboration, policy reforms, and widespread adoption of sustainable practices were among the main takeaways. There’s no doubt that achieving the 2050 targets requires effort from all stakeholders—builders, architects, policymakers, and advocates alike.

‍Watch the Webinar Recording

‍If you missed out or want to revisit some of the valuable insights shared, the full recording of the webinar is available. See it and learn more about how the building sector can make a positive impact on our planet.Thank you again to everyone who joined us live! For those who couldn’t make it, we hope the recording provides you with the knowledge and inspiration to take action.Let’s continue the conversation and work together to shape a circular, sustainable future for the building industry. Don’t forget to share this webinar with your colleagues and networks.