The study “Socio-technical barriers to decarbonising the built environment: A comprehensive synthesis”, published on Research Square by Hannah Barry, Paul Ruyssevelt, and Michael Fell from University College London, analyzes the main barriers to reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector.
What is “Carbon Lock-in”?
A central concept of the study is carbon lock-in, which describes a situation where an economy, sector, or company becomes trapped in infrastructure, technologies, and behaviors highly dependent on fossil fuels, making the transition to more sustainable alternatives difficult. In the construction sector, this phenomenon results in a vicious cycle that perpetuates the use of materials, infrastructure, and practices with a high environmental impact. The difficulty in adopting more sustainable solutions is largely due to previous investments in polluting technologies, outdated regulations, and deeply ingrained market habits.
To better understand this cycle, the research identified 95 barriers grouped into five dimensions: economic, political, social, behavioral, and technical. The study concluded that economic barriers have the greatest impact, followed by political ones. However, it also highlights the growing importance of behavioral and social factors, such as cultural resistance to change and institutional risk aversion.
But these barriers do not act independently – instead, they reinforce each other. For example, the lack of financial incentives for sustainable construction discourages companies from innovating, while insufficient public policies hinder systemic change. To break this cycle, it is necessary to adopt integrated strategies that consider economic and regulatory factors alongside social and technological aspects, adapting to the specific context of each region.
The authors argue that isolated interventions rarely generate sustainable impact. The study emphasizes that the transition to a more sustainable construction sector requires a coordinated, multidimensional approach. Cross-sector collaboration—including governments, businesses, academic institutions, and civil society—is essential to driving innovation and overcoming structural barriers. Environmental education plays a crucial role, as it can empower construction professionals and raise consumer awareness about the importance of sustainable choices. Additionally, technical support—such as clear guidelines for using low-carbon materials and assistance in implementing new technologies—facilitates the adoption of greener practices.
To enable this transformation, the study recommends developing specific financing instruments, such as tax incentives, subsidies, and credit lines tailored to the sector’s needs. The adoption of long-term public policies is also essential, as they ensure predictability and create a stable regulatory environment, encouraging investments in sustainable solutions.
Another key strategy is the creation of markets for eco-friendly materials and construction practices. This can be achieved through regulations that require the use of sustainable materials in public projects, certifications that add value to low-carbon products, and mechanisms that reduce the cost of these materials, making them more accessible. According to the study’s authors, these initiatives can help minimize institutional and economic inertia, accelerating the sector’s decarbonization.
🔗 Read the full study:
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5926332/v1
