The built environment, which includes key sectors such as property and construction, is the largest source of climate emissions in the UK economy after surface transport.

The analysis reveals that between 2018 and 2022, carbon emissions from the UK built environment fell by 13%, significantly less than the 19% required to meet the UK’s net zero pathway.

UKGBC claims that such insufficient progress over four years will require key built environment sectors to decarbonise nearly twice as fast over the next two years to achieve emissions reductions reflective of the net zero pathway established by the Whole Life Carbon Roadmap.

The data also examines areas of the industry where faster progress is needed and assesses the impact of the pandemic on decarbonisation.

Despite a substantial reduction in construction sector output during the pandemic, embodied carbon emissions fell by just 4% since 2018, less than a quarter of the pathway target.

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Furthermore, Covid-19 had a notable impact on energy demand and operational emissions from buildings, but recent record lows in domestic energy consumption were driven by record warm temperatures together with rising energy prices and high costs of living in 2022.

Commenting on these findings, Smith Mordak, CEO at UKGBC, said: “Unprecedented global events have shaped the story of the built environment over the last four years, but despite forced emissions reductions during the pandemic, this progress report makes one thing clear: our industry is not moving fast enough.”

“We must now reduce emissions twice as fast as we have been to get back on track.

“The later we leave it, the harder it will be and the greater the missed opportunities for tackling interconnected nature and social crises.

“Industry and government need to work hand in hand to create decisive change and bridge the emissions gap that sets us on path to deliver net zero.”