Balancing Housing Needs with Sustainability: The UK’s Opportunity for a Greener Future

By leonie.dunn, on 18 December 2024

The UK Government’s recent planning reforms, announced on December 12, 2024, are intended to tackle the country’s ongoing housing crisis. The reforms aim to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, with mandatory targets requiring councils to build 37,000 homes annually, a focus on brownfield sites for development, and revisions to greenbelt boundaries.

This signals the start of one of the largest development projects in the country’s history – an extraordinary opportunity for the UK to not only deliver much-needed housing, but to embed sustainability into every stage of the construction process.

So how do we balance the urgent need for more homes with protecting the environment and biodiversity? The construction sector is notorious for its significant environmental impact, including high carbon emissions, resource depletion, and waste generation. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to integrate circular economy (CE) practices into the planning, design, and construction of new homes. This way, we can better ensure that growth doesn’t come at the cost of the UK’s natural environment.

What Is the Circular Economy and Why Does It Matter?

The circular economy is a regenerative system where materials are kept at a higher value for longer through processes like reuse, recycling, maintenance and refurbishment – rather than following the traditional “take, make, dispose” approach [1]. In construction, this could mean using recycled building materials, refurbishing existing buildings, and designing homes to be adaptable and reusable at the end of their lifecycle. This not only helps conserve valuable resources but also significantly reduces environmental harm by lowering carbon emissions and waste.

Making the most of valuable resources

The UK Government can mitigate the environmental damage caused by rapid expansion of new building projects, by maximising the use of existing resources. For example, making pre-development audits mandatory in all development projects will help to assess the potential for reusing buildings or materials, in turn reducing costs and conserving resources. Eco-design solutions—like lean structural elements that avoid excess material or using lighter-weight materials, and adaptable building layouts—can also reduce the environmental footprint of construction projects. At the moment, up to 20% more material is used, than is actually needed.

To further incentivise sustainability, the Government can encourage the use of recycled materials by investing in and developing secondary material markets. By creating clear standards for recycled products and materials, businesses would feel confident in using them, knowing that they meet safety and quality benchmarks.

Consideration must also be given to repurposing of existing buildings. With over 600,000 empty homes recorded in England, there is a significant opportunity to refurbish and retrofit unused buildings, rather than constructing new ones. This approach would save valuable materials, reduce embodied carbon, and lessen waste. It would also cause less disruption to local neighbourhoods, habitats, and wildlife. Moreover, ensuring that new homes are designed with “end of life” in mind would also have a lasting positive impact. Homes designed for reuse, repurposing, or recycling at the end of their lifecycle could vastly reduce the environmental burden of future generations.

Protecting and Enhancing Biodiversity

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries globally. While the Government’s reforms are focused on meeting housing targets, they risk pushing for new homes on greenbelt land—areas designated to protect wildlife and natural landscapes. This threatens to disrupt ecosystems, the character of natural landscapes and contribute further to biodiversity loss. To avoid this, sustainable planning must prioritise protecting valuable green spaces and incorporating green infrastructure, such as parks, trees, and green roofs, into developments.

Employing Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), which involves off-site manufacturing of building components, which can then be rapidly assembled on-site can be part of the solution. This approach significantly reduces waste, lowers carbon emissions, and speeds up construction timelines. Additionally, MMC minimizes local disruptions to surrounding habitats, making it a more eco-friendly choice for development projects.

Unlocking the Potential of Construction Soil As the foundation upon which all buildings are constructed, soil plays an essential role in maintaining the environment, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. In England, over 50% of construction soil waste in England ends up in landfills, despite in many cases, being safe for reuse. The UK can preserve, not throw away, this precious resource by adopting a new Soil Reuse and Storage System. This would ensure that only soils that are irretrievably contaminated or cannot be decontaminated or immobilized should be considered waste. This shift would prevent valuable, inert soils from being unnecessarily disposed of, and would encourage the reuse of healthy soils.

Achieving Growth Without Compromising the Environment

The Government’s ambitious housing reforms present a pivotal opportunity to address both the housing crisis and the urgent need to preserve our environment. Embedding circular economy principles and approaches into the new housebuilding programme—such as refurbishing existing buildings, using MMC, and prioritising resource reuse—can significantly reduce waste and pollution while safeguarding the UK’s natural heritage. It’s time to stop thinking of housing development as a choice between growth and sustainability. We can—and must—do both. It’s time to move beyond traditional supply-centric solutions and instead deliver sustainable, long-lasting homes that will serve future generations while protecting our environment.

Interested in learning more? Dive deeper into how the future of construction can be transformed by reading our latest policy briefs on circular economy solutions for the construction sector – with a special focus on Biodiversity Net Gain, Strategic Supply and Soil.

References

[1] https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview

Author

Aleyna Prokudina, Policy Advisor at the Policy Impact Unit

The importance of addressing the ‘un-environmental realities’ of just energy transitions

By Muhamad Rosyid Jazuli, on 22 November 2024

The scope of today’s environmental challenges is vast and demands careful and contextual evaluations, guidance, and policy interventions. One of the pressing issues is the depletion of fossil fuel resources, which has driven a shift toward renewable energy. While both the Global North and South encounter significant hurdles in this transition, the South faces a particularly intricate set of obstacles, especially when striving for a just energy transition.

For the Global South, this transition often needs to align with economic growth imperatives. Although the Global North now leads in renewable energy adoption, one must note that it reaped extensive benefits from fossil fuels during the colonial era. The South, however, cannot replicate that path and has yet to build similarly robust institutions.

This context highlights the complexities that nations in the Global South—such as Indonesia—must address in pursuing their just transition goals. Our recent study (Jazuli et al., 2024) uses Indonesia as a case to illustrate how political, social, and regulatory factors substantially influence its energy transition efforts under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

An ‘un-environmental’ analysis

Our work employs a policy regime framework, focusing on political, social, and regulatory ‘realities’ to evaluate Indonesia’s JETP, which was initiated during the country’s G20 presidency in 2022. While Indonesia’s commitment to the JETP marks a promising step toward reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewables, it also underscores broader challenges faced by the Global South in moving away from fossil fuels. Indonesia’s long-standing struggles to reform fossil fuel subsidies (FFSR) reflect these difficulties.

Starting in the wake of the 1998 Asian financial crisis, FFSR aimed to divert funds from fossil fuel subsidies to essential sectors like health and education. However, the progress has been hampered by political pushback and social resistance. Similarly, the JETP—though encouraging—faces significant barriers. Achieving a fair energy transition demands more than environmental resolve; it requires solid political, social, and regulatory support.

Politically, resistance to foreign-controlled financing and concerns about national debt present considerable challenges for the JETP. Additionally, coal, a vital export and energy source, is deeply embedded in Indonesia’s political and economic systems. Socially, the JETP is promoted as a national priority, yet it remains poorly understood among much of Indonesia’s population. On the regulatory side, Indonesia’s inconsistent policy landscape hinders JETP’s progress; despite ambitious carbon reduction goals, energy policies continue to favor coal, the country’s primary energy source.

Recommendations for the Global South

JETP initiatives are being pursued not only in Indonesia but also in countries like South Africa, Senegal, and Vietnam. Although these nations have unique policy environments, they share common characteristics typical of the South, such as nascent institutional structures and diverse communities. Based on our analysis, we offer three recommendations for administrations and advocates of JETPs in the Global South.

Firstly, success depends on political support from key stakeholders. Advocates should frame the energy transition as a catalyst for economic growth and national security, not merely an environmental issue. Consistent dialogue with political leaders is essential to ensure JETP alignment with their agendas. Emphasizing how JETPs can expand political leaders’ constituencies will boost the initiative’s appeal.

Secondly, for an equitable transition, it’s vital to go beyond elite (English-dominated) discussions and actively involve affected groups, such as coal industry workers. Vulnerable populations, including women and indigenous communities, should also have a voice in decision-making to foster an inclusive transition. Engaging trusted entities like religious, social, and cultural organizations can build ownership and trust.

Lastly, existing regulatory frameworks need revisiting to ensure policy alignment, particularly in curbing fossil fuel dependency, which conflicts with renewable energy goals. JETPs can act as a lever for updating and streamlining policies that currently impede renewable energy growth and investment. Effective enforcement is also critical to overcoming the policy inertia and reversals common in energy-related reforms. (*)

Muhamad Rosyid Jazuli – PhD Candidate at UCL STEaPP, affiliate researcher at Paramadina Public Policy Institute

Related publication:

Jazuli, M. R., Roll, K., & Mulugetta, Y. (2024). A review of Indonesia’s JETP through the dynamics of its policy regime. Global Policy, 00, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.13452

Jinqian Li, STEaPP Alumni, reflects on her MPA Experience at UCL

By leonie.dunn, on 18 November 2024

My academic journey in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Digital Technologies and Policy at University College London has been truly enriching. The programme has equipped me with robust analytical skills to understand cutting-edge technologies and develop evidence-based policies that address their societal implications.

The curriculum was thoughtfully structured to provide hands-on experience in policy development across multiple domains. The simulated multilateral negotiations were particularly valuable, where we represented different nations to address urgent technological and social challenges. These exercises strengthened our ability to analyse complex issues efficiently, identify key priorities, and develop practical policy solutions under time constraints while honing our diplomatic and negotiation skills.

The programme’s emphasis on real-world application culminated in our group project, where we collaborated with industry partners to address contemporary challenges. Through this experience, I developed essential skills in teamwork, professional communication, and data analysis. Our research on IoT privacy frameworks with the Information Commissioner’s Office across China, the UK, and Japan led to a presentation at the PETRAS conference in London, where engaging with international academics helped refine our policy recommendations.

A significant achievement during my MPA studies was publishing an op-ed in the AI&Society journal, developed under Dr. Jean-Christophe Mauduit’s guidance. The piece examined the implications of police use of facial recognition technology in the UK, focusing on transparency and bias concerns. Additionally, my analysis of Weibo’s role in China’s digital landscape, written for another module focusing on technology complex, supported my successful application to the University of Cambridge’s MPhil programme.

The supportive environment at UCL really enhanced the academic experience. The guidance from faculty members and collaboration with fellow international students created a constructive learning atmosphere that facilitated both professional and personal growth. It’s somewhere I would always love to return to share life updates and exchange ideas, both academic and personal.

For those keen to shape the future of technology policy and make a meaningful impact on society, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring UCL’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP). Whether you’re fascinated by emerging technologies technically/ethically, deeply committed to sustainability, or passionate about bridging the gap between innovation and public good, STEaPP offers brilliant pathways to help you achieve your aspirations.

Author: Jinqian Li, STEaPP Alumni. MPA Digital Technologies and Policy 2022-2023.

Hear from Shunsei a Second Year BSc Student on their summer internship experience

By leonie.dunn, on 16 October 2024

During the summer I did two short internships, both lasting about a month. The first was at the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies (ISEP) which is a policy research NGO that also works to expand renewable energy projects across Japan. The second was at an ODA organisation called the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

My main responsibilities at ISEP were to record and format meeting minutes from calls/interviews with the local community and newspapers. I also drafted ISEP’s plan for intermediary support with the Japan Centre for Climate Change Actions. At JICA, the main goal of the internship was to learn about JICA’s local centres’ activities, speak with local actors and ultimately propose new materials/topics that JICA’s local centre should work on. This gave me the flexibility to choose and contact organisations that I wanted to interview to use as material for the proposal.

I chose to apply for these internships because I knew that my summer break was going to be long and I thought it would be a great time to learn topics I am interested in and to use material I have learnt during first year in real life context. Studying on the course and at UCL helped when applying to the internships. For the ISEP internship, the senior researcher was interested in the work I engaged in at UCL’s energy society. During the interview, understanding concepts and terminology such as “Feed in Tariffs” and “the difference between kW and kWh” from STEP0039 Society, Systems and Change and ENGF0014 Engineering Thinking 1, respectively, helped me answer the questions and secure the internship.

For JICA, the director of JICA Hokuriku was interested in the BSc Science and Engineering for Social Change course itself, since multi/inter-disciplinary courses are also increasing in Japan and he wanted to know the difference. During the interview, we brought up topics such as “Bounded rationality” which was introduced in STEP0041 Policy co-design 1 and discussed the difficulties of decision-making in the Japanese government with the director. My understanding of those topics allowed me to engage in the discussion and make meaningful comments during the interview which I hope gave a good impression to them.

At ISEP, I was able to facilitate a citizen assembly which was one of the policy co-design tools discussed in STEP0041 Policy co-design 1. The citizen assembly was about revitalising an old city, and what facilities would residents want that would make their lives more fun/convenient. We gave post-it notes to the participants, and they wrote what they wanted on the yellow ones. Later on, we mixed up the group and discussed what topics had come up in the previous group and I wrote down some keywords that I found important. It was almost like hope and fear cards, except the fear cards were not used because the first session was intended to be as light-hearted and positive as possible. Since this was my first time actually engaging with a community, I was nervous and unsure if I would be able to do it well, but it was an excellent opportunity to actually engage in an activity that was taught in class.

Author: Shunsei Kobayashi, Second Year BSc Science and Engineering for Social Change student.

Seaweed revolution – how can we support the emergent seaweed industry to deliver a more sustainable future?

By luis.lacerda, on 19 July 2024

As the new Government comes into power, the UK’s ambition to position itself as a global clean Energy Superpower has been renewed. Government has expressed the need to invest in a new industrial strategy where sustainability goals are critical to deliver economic growth and achieve clean energy by 2030. This includes investing in new jobs and technologies and exploring responsible ways to utilise the UK’s naturally available bioresources.

Seaweed (macroalgae) has a pivotal role to play in delivering ambitions on clean energy, and incubation and support for this emerging industry must feature in the future industrial strategy to unlock the transformative potential it can offer. Seaweed-derived bioproducts can be used to displace fossil fuel-derived compounds across multiple sectors, including plastics, fabrics, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and the nutraceuticals industries. Furthermore, seaweed can capture more carbon than it releases to the atmosphere (carbon sink), contributing as a natural tool to tackle climate change.

To unlock these benefits, we must scale up seaweed biorefineries in the UK, but there are several engineering, bioscience and societal challenges currently holding this back. Tackling these challenges and demonstrating the feasibility and potential of scaled-up seaweed biorefineries in the UK, is the focus of important research currently being conducted by Dr Emily Kostas at the new Manufacturing Futures Lab at UCL East. It is envisioned that this research will encourage Government to support UK seaweed aquaculture and increase the availability of this versatile and sustainable feedstock.

Despite important efforts to map and characterize opportunities for seaweed farming across the UK [1]^,[2], there has been no strong policies and support at the necessary scale to realize the ambitions set above. Numerous UK companies are, in fact, currently importing seaweed from abroad (Norway and the Faroe Islands) due to the lack of a constant supply and adequate amount of seaweed biomass that is currently available here in the UK, which clearly demonstrates that there is demand and that the market is ready for this transition.

We believe there is an opportunity to sink carbon and support green energy domestically by promoting the scale-up of seaweed-derived bioproducts, biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials that have been manufactured from UK farmed seaweed.

Therefore, we have identified three key recommendations for policy action going forward:

• Build on existing evidence base of suitable areas for sustainable aquaculture[3] and monitor the regional landscape availability and production of native seaweed feedstocks; this would ensure a constant supply and will meet the demand for a future UK bioeconomy.
• Design and deliver a new regulatory and policy framework that promotes sustainable seaweed farming and cultivation in the UK, based on solid, sustainable and responsible planning on how to best manage marine environments[4]^,[5].
• Work with coastal communities and stakeholders to explore how to meaningfully develop a plan to create job security whilst protecting natural resources and landscape.

Seaweed can provide a fresh start to ignite a new UK industrial strategy and contribute to achieving the ambitious goals of delivering clean energy by 2030 and production of alternative and sustainable products. The ability to do so rests on how effectively we can bolster the UK’s aquaculture in the years ahead.

References

[1] https://thefishsite.com/articles/initiative-aims-to-take-uk-seaweed-sector-to-the-next-level

[2]  https://www.carymor.wales/seaweed/seaweed-farming-in-the-uk

[3] Identification of strategic areas of sustainable aquaculture production in English waters: Final Report

[4] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/marine-planning-in-england

[5] https://www.gov.scot/policies/marine-planning/