Ditch the “Green” and Make Sustainability Affordable and Effective

When it comes to construction, “green” often translates to “expensive.” The drive for sustainability has become synonymous with high-cost materials, certifications, and technologies that cater to elite markets while leaving others behind. Yet, true sustainability is not about greenwashing or premium price tags—it’s about practical, scalable solutions that work for everyone.

As the UK moves toward ambitious climate goals with updates to building regulations and the Future Homes Standard, it’s time to ditch the superficial green initiatives and focus on legislation and practices that deliver real, affordable sustainability. By looking at global examples, the UK can shift from an exclusive “green” model to a truly inclusive and effective sustainability framework.

The Problem with “Green” in Construction

The concept of “green” in construction is often wrapped in expensive branding: premium certifications like BREEAM, cutting-edge technologies like solar facades, and boutique materials that cost far more than their conventional counterparts. These efforts, while flashy, frequently fail to address the broader challenges of making sustainable practices accessible and scalable.

The result? Developers balk at the upfront costs, smaller firms are pushed out of compliance, and homeowners face rising property prices. Worse, focusing on high-tech solutions can overshadow simpler, cost-effective methods that could deliver greater environmental impact.

True Sustainability is Practical

True sustainability means integrating cost-effective, durable, and locally appropriate solutions into the construction process. It’s about looking at the full lifecycle of a building, materials, construction, operation, and end-of-life, rather than chasing expensive quick fixes. Around the world, countries have implemented legislation that focuses on pragmatic sustainability rather than “greenwashing.” These examples highlight what the UK can learn.

Global Examples of Affordable Sustainability

1. Singapore: Targets That Make Sense

Singapore’s Green Building Masterplan focuses on measurable, mandatory goals: by 2030, 80% of all buildings must meet Green Mark certification standards. Importantly, the government subsidises retrofitting and district-wide sustainability projects, making compliance achievable for all stakeholders.

Lesson: Set clear targets and provide financial support to reduce the burden of compliance.

2. Australia: Enforcing Basics, Not Boutique

Australia’s National Construction Code (NCC) integrates water and energy efficiency standards into every building project through tools like BASIX. Enforcement is strict, but compliance focuses on practical measures like improved insulation and efficient appliances, not costly certifications.

Lesson: Focus on practical, enforceable solutions rather than elite standards.

3. India: Energy Efficiency That Scales

India’s Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) offers tiered compliance levels, allowing developers to meet basic standards or aim higher with additional incentives. By embedding these standards into local building bylaws, the government ensures widespread adoption without alienating smaller developers.

Lesson: Make sustainability scalable and customisable.

4. Germany: Renewable Energy as a Standard

Germany’s Renewable Energy Act (EEG) mandates renewable energy integration into all new builds, supported by feed-in tariffs that make renewable systems financially viable. Renovation laws require energy upgrades for older buildings during major work, tying sustainability to lifecycle improvements.

Lesson: Mandate renewable energy integration with economic incentives to offset costs.

Where the UK Stands

The UK has made strides with the Future Homes Standard, which aims to make new homes net-zero ready by 2025, and updates to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations. However, there are gaps:

• Focus on Operational Emissions: UK regulations focus on energy efficiency during operation but neglect lifecycle carbon, such as material production and demolition impacts.
• Limited Support for Retrofitting: Programs like the Green Homes Grant have faltered, leaving millions of older homes far from sustainable.
• Weak Renewable Mandates: Unlike Germany, the UK encourages renewable energy systems but does not require them in new builds.
• Fragmented Enforcement: Decentralised building control often leads to inconsistent application of sustainability standards.

Ditching the “Green” for True Sustainability

To achieve meaningful sustainability, the UK must ditch the expensive and exclusive “green” model and adopt a framework focused on affordability and practicality. This means:

1. Mandate Renewable Energy: Require integration of renewable systems in all new builds, with financial incentives like feed-in tariffs or grants.
2. Support Retrofitting at Scale: Reintroduce retrofitting programs with improved administration to address the UK’s aging housing stock.
3. Focus on Lifecycle Carbon: Make lifecycle assessments mandatory to address emissions from materials and construction, not just energy use during operation.
4. Strengthen Enforcement: Centralise compliance mechanisms to ensure uniform application of sustainability standards.
5. Think Local: Allow regional adaptation of standards, so sustainability works across diverse building contexts.

Conclusion: Build Smarter, Not Greener

The future of construction is sustainable, but sustainability doesn’t have to mean expensive. By learning from global examples and focusing on practical, cost-effective solutions, the UK can move beyond greenwashing and build a framework that delivers real environmental benefits without alienating homeowners, developers, or small businesses.

It’s time to ditch the “green” and embrace legislation that works for everyone. True sustainability is about inclusion, impact, and affordability, because a sustainable future shouldn’t come with an elite price tag.