Ignoring Sustainability in Early Planning is a Missed Opportunity, Says Architects

NBS’ latest sustainability survey reveals two-thirds of architects say sustainability is often sidelined in strategy and briefing stages.

• 84% of construction professionals believe sustainability is best addressed during the strategy and brief stage, yet this is not widespread in practice
• 43% of respondents now report sustainability is ‘usually or always’ achieved on their projects, marking a modest 10% increase since 2021 – a slow improvement

Despite some progress in sustainability practices within the construction industry, a significant gap remains in how early sustainability decisions are integrated into projects, according to a survey of industry professionals from NBS (powered by Hubexo).

The landscape is rapidly changing as the demand for sustainable construction continues to grow, with professionals and clients leading the charge. Although regulation is increasing, it is still not enough to drive widespread uptake. The demand is primarily coming from industry professionals and clients, who are pushing for low-carbon projects that prioritise energy and resource efficiency, while also minimising waste in both buildings and infrastructure. 

These evolving requirements underscore the urgent need for the industry to address sustainability concerns from the earliest stages of project planning and throughout the entire construction lifecycle. Despite this progress, the concept of circular construction is still very much in its infancy, highlighting the need for further development and integration of sustainable practices across the sector.

Improving Project Sustainability

Compared to the last NBS Sustainable Futures Report in 2021, there has been a 10% increase in respondents stating that sustainability is “usually or always” achieved on their projects, rising to 43%. For architects specifically, the figure is 35%. However, a third of professionals also reported that their projects rarely or never meet these sustainability goals, indicating substantial room for improvement.

Early Sustainability Consideration

While the majority of respondents (72%) say sustainability is typically considered during the design stage, 84% agree it should ideally be addressed much earlier – during the strategy and brief stage. This early intervention would set clear sustainability goals, establish appropriate budgets, and ensure effective outcomes throughout the project lifecycle.

The Disconnect

There’s a notable disconnect between when sustainability is typically considered in practice (the design stage) and when it should ideally be addressed (strategy and brief). Architects and engineers are calling for a more integrated approach to sustainability from the outset, with 62% of respondents with these job roles agreeing that sustainability should be considered during the strategy and brief stages. This gap highlights the lack of regulatory force driving earlier integration of sustainability into projects. Increased regulation would help address this issue, ensuring that sustainability is prioritised at the earliest stages.

Dr. Lee Jones, Head of Sustainability at NBS, said: “The construction industry is making incremental but important strides toward reducing its environmental impact, with NBS reporting a positive uptick in the percentage of projects where sustainability is ‘usually or always’ achieved. This progress signals a growing commitment within the sector, though it’s clear that we still have significant work ahead of us to fully integrate sustainable practices throughout the lifecycle of projects.

“But looking ahead, there’s a strong need for the industry to adopt sustainability at the very beginning of the process, during the strategy and brief stages. The fact that so many professionals agree that sustainability should be addressed earlier is promising, but the gap between intention and practice remains.

“Only by embedding sustainability from the very start, as outlined by frameworks like the RIBA Plan of Work, can we ensure that the buildings and infrastructure of tomorrow will truly meet the environmental and social challenges of the future.”

To download the NBS Sustainable Futures Report, click here.