Embedding Circular Economy Considerations within Built Environment Governance

Embodied carbon relates to the emissions associated with our buildings and infrastructure's materials, construction, maintenance, demolition and waste disposal. The circular economy is an essential tool to reduce these emissions, with the underlying principle being to use what we already have and design to prevent waste. In our urgent transition to net zero it is essential we address this embodied carbon and move towards a circular economy, which is where policy acts as a key enabler to collectively create a sustainable future. This project is looking at different levels of built environment governance policies associated with this aim, through mapping policies, exploring possible action, and generating practical guidance for policy implementation. 

Key project collaborators include South Yorkshire Sustainability Centre (SYSC), South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Sheffield City Council (SCC), Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) and The University of Sheffield Estates and Facilities Management (UoS EFM).