Decarbonizing the building supply chain: Circular materials, practical solutions, and real-world applications
The building sector is a major contributor to energy consumption, emissions, and material use. Decarbonizing buildings requires a holistic view of the entire supply chain, including materials, components, and equipment that shape how buildings are constructed, operated, maintained, and repurposed over their lifetime. From wood, concrete, and steel to nature-based and circular products, the choice of materials and how they are designed, sourced, used, and reused, has a massive impact on embodied emissions, affordability, and real-world applicability.
This meeting will bring together experts from across industry, housing, energy efficiency, forestry, and circular economy to explore “what works” today. With real-world case studies and concrete examples, it aims to discuss how different approaches can be implemented in different local, industrial, or policy contexts.
Questions for discussion:
- What building products, materials, and supply chain innovations already deliver results and support decarbonization in a circular and economically viable way?
- How can nature-based and circular materials be scaled up across the construction and refurbishment value chain?
- How can circular building components be designed for reuse, repair, and decommissioning?
- What technical and economic levers enable reuse, modularity, and disassembly in building components?
- What are the practical barriers?
- How can users, suppliers, and policymakers work together to mainstream real-world, scalable solutions?
