Construction and demolition activities account for over one third of all material consumption in the European Union (EU) and 30 per cent of the total waste produced worldwide. This contributes substantially to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, biodiversity loss and pollution.

To advance climate action and build a more sustainable and resilient future for all, it is therefore crucial that we rethink how we build, use and deconstruct buildings.

“From design to demolition, circularity can significantly lower waste, cut emissions and reduce the strain on natural ecosystems,” said Jorge Laguna-Celis, Head of the One Planet Network, UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Effectively integrating circularity into the sector, however, requires governments to adopt robust frameworks that embed circular economy principles into national policies. To date, however, there has not been a widely accepted assessment framework in place for countries to measure circularity of the built environment at the national level.

Funded by the government of Finland and working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment Finland, One Planet Network, UN-Habitat, RMIT and the UNEP-hosted GlobalABC and Life Cycle Initiative, UNOPS has contributed to the development of a new National Circularity Assessment Framework for Buildings.

The framework will help countries assess a national baseline for the buildings sector, and aims to foster the transition towards a circularity globally.

Steven Crosskey, UNOPS Director (a.i.) of Infrastructure and Project Management, said: “Shifting to a circular economy in this sector is crucial – not just for reducing waste, but also for reimagining the entire lifecycle of buildings, including the construction supply chain to enhance resource efficiency and limit environmental harm while ensuring a just transition.”

The publication aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the building sector, leading to more sustainable, resilient and low-carbon buildings and construction. It further supports efforts to promote adequate housing for all and building a future in which both people and the planet can thrive.

“The approach presented in this publication is based on robust research* [...] I sincerely hope that it will be adopted by more and more countries, regions and organizations across the world,” said Rafael Tuts, Director of the Global Solutions Division, UN-Habitat.

‘National Circularity Assessment Framework for Buildings’ was officially launched at COP29, during a series of events co-hosted by One Planet Network, UNEP and the GlobalABC – including a dedicated event for the launch of the Global Framework for Action: Harnessing sustainable and circular public procurement to drive demand for near-zero emissions and resilient buildings.

UNOPS Director of Procurement, Anne-Claire Howard, emphasized the importance of sustainable public procurement in driving demand for near-zero emission and resilient buildings, and in creating the enabling environment needed by the private sector to advance sustainable construction projects. While UNOPS Head of Strategic Initiatives, Samantha Stratton-Short, highlighted the importance of moving beyond planning to practical implementation, citing examples of UNOPS support for governments in Ghana and Bangladesh.

Visit the One Planet Network website to read more and download the publication.