CA21103 - Implementation of Circular Economy in the Built Environment (CircularB)

Facing the increasing concerns about the negative environmental impacts of buildings, governments and general society worldwide have been seeking more efficient and sustainable constructions. Hence, the Circular Economy (CE) emerged as a new paradigm of innovative practice with potential application to the construction industry besides other economic sectors. Following the European Circular Economy Action Plan (ECEAP), multiple efforts have been made to apply circular thinking to construction practices and include resource circularity into sustainability frameworks, such as Level(s). However, despite the endeavours, there is still a lack of a standard tool that fully implements the circularity potential, classifies buildings accordingly, and assesses the realisation level of the ECEAP. Thus, the CircularB Action aims to develop a common international framework of a circularity rating tool with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) based on current best practices of CE construction, state-of-the-art and ECEAP. The tool’s framework will allow local application and adaptation by different COST countries and regions. By developing a benchmark database – based on each country/region conditions, culture and traditions – the direct use of the tool is enabled, supporting both designers in developing more sustainable buildings and national/local governments in assessing and promoting their CE targets. Furthermore, construction, assembly, adaptability, deconstruction and business model guidelines will be identified for new and existing buildings to enhance CE in buildings and promote stakeholder knowledge. The rating tool will also be integrated into the Open BIM workflow for better-informed design decisions, automated assessment, efficient value chain management, and circular feedback using central BIM models.