Circular economy principles are gaining traction across the built environment—from materials reuse and modular construction to circular procurement and design for deconstruction. But systemic change requires aligned policy, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. This panel discussion, chaired by a member of the UK Circular Economy Taskforce, brings together government, industry, and academic perspectives to explore how national circular strategies are being shaped—and what they mean for the future of the built environment.

The Circular Economy Taskforce provides independent, expert advice to help accelerate the UK’s transition to a low-carbon, resource-resilient economy. With the built environment accounting for over 60% of material use and a significant portion of carbon emissions, this session will spotlight how the Taskforce is helping to drive scalable, circular solutions within construction, development, and urban planning.

Panellists will discuss how the Taskforce’s recommendations are informing national policy, such as extended producer responsibility, whole-life carbon assessments, and critical raw material recovery—and how these intersect with practical challenges in the built environment.