Global Sustainable Construction Barometer 2025: Key Insights & Canada's Role
Saint-Gobain, a global leader in sustainable and lightweight construction, has announced the results of its third edition of the Sustainable Construction Barometer. This global study, conducted across 27 countries with 4,000 industry experts and 27,000 citizens, tracks progress on this important issue.
While Canada is often considered at the forefront of environmental sustainability and eco-responsibility, this year's Barometer reveals a different reality: there appears to be a blind spot in the country's approach to sustainable construction.
With the ongoing housing crisis and an increase in extreme weather events due to climate change, it is now more critical than ever to work together and develop resilient, sustainable housing solutions.
Further details on this year's Sustainable Construction Barometer can be found in the official press release below.
The construction industry, facing demographic, social, energy, and climate challenges, must accelerate its shift toward a more sustainable model. This shift aims to create a built environment that promotes the health and well-being of individuals, is resilient to climate risks, has low carbon emissions, and provides affordable housing for all—without compromising quality or performance.
This transformation requires the collective effort of all industry stakeholders. To support this, Saint-Gobain launched the Sustainable Construction Observatory in 2023. The third edition of the Sustainable Construction Barometer, conducted in collaboration with Occurrence-IFOP, is being presented today to measure progress in this crucial field.
The study is based on 24 questions posed to 4,000 stakeholders, supplemented by 27,000 citizens who answered four specific questions. These responses identified key drivers for advancing sustainable construction both locally and globally. The study is also complemented by a qualitative analysis in France, focusing on resilience.
Benoit Bazin, CEO of Saint-Gobain, commented: "The message is clear: immediate action is needed. For sustainable construction to become the standard, it must be better understood and fully incorporated into the expectations of both citizens and professionals. Beyond its environmental benefits, its tangible advantages in terms of comfort, health, and well-being are still too often overlooked or underestimated. To scale up, a global approach that is tailored to local realities is essential, considering the use of space, territories, and on-the-ground conditions."
Jean-Claude Lasserre, CEO of Saint-Gobain Canada, added: "The housing crisis and climate emergency facing Canada must be addressed simultaneously to create a better future for all Canadians. This year’s Barometer clearly shows the need for the construction industry to work together more effectively to raise awareness of the environmental, societal, and financial benefits of sustainable construction. Building more resiliently and sustainably is no longer a goal—it’s an urgent necessity."
A Global Overview to Accelerate Sustainable Construction Across All Continents
Launched in 2023 in 10 countries, the Sustainable Construction Barometer now spans 27 countries, reaching a wide range of stakeholders, including professionals, students, local government representatives, and association members. This year, the survey also included 27,000 citizens to ensure their input on the future of sustainable construction.
Four Key Insights:
While Canada is often considered at the forefront of environmental sustainability and eco-responsibility, this year's Barometer reveals a different reality: there appears to be a blind spot in the country's approach to sustainable construction.
With the ongoing housing crisis and an increase in extreme weather events due to climate change, it is now more critical than ever to work together and develop resilient, sustainable housing solutions.
Further details on this year's Sustainable Construction Barometer can be found in the official press release below.
The construction industry, facing demographic, social, energy, and climate challenges, must accelerate its shift toward a more sustainable model. This shift aims to create a built environment that promotes the health and well-being of individuals, is resilient to climate risks, has low carbon emissions, and provides affordable housing for all—without compromising quality or performance.
This transformation requires the collective effort of all industry stakeholders. To support this, Saint-Gobain launched the Sustainable Construction Observatory in 2023. The third edition of the Sustainable Construction Barometer, conducted in collaboration with Occurrence-IFOP, is being presented today to measure progress in this crucial field.
The study is based on 24 questions posed to 4,000 stakeholders, supplemented by 27,000 citizens who answered four specific questions. These responses identified key drivers for advancing sustainable construction both locally and globally. The study is also complemented by a qualitative analysis in France, focusing on resilience.
Benoit Bazin, CEO of Saint-Gobain, commented: "The message is clear: immediate action is needed. For sustainable construction to become the standard, it must be better understood and fully incorporated into the expectations of both citizens and professionals. Beyond its environmental benefits, its tangible advantages in terms of comfort, health, and well-being are still too often overlooked or underestimated. To scale up, a global approach that is tailored to local realities is essential, considering the use of space, territories, and on-the-ground conditions."
Jean-Claude Lasserre, CEO of Saint-Gobain Canada, added: "The housing crisis and climate emergency facing Canada must be addressed simultaneously to create a better future for all Canadians. This year’s Barometer clearly shows the need for the construction industry to work together more effectively to raise awareness of the environmental, societal, and financial benefits of sustainable construction. Building more resiliently and sustainably is no longer a goal—it’s an urgent necessity."
A Global Overview to Accelerate Sustainable Construction Across All Continents
Launched in 2023 in 10 countries, the Sustainable Construction Barometer now spans 27 countries, reaching a wide range of stakeholders, including professionals, students, local government representatives, and association members. This year, the survey also included 27,000 citizens to ensure their input on the future of sustainable construction.
Four Key Insights:
- Increased awareness, sustained urgency, and active citizen engagement.
- A shared desire to progress, with private sector actors seen as the most legitimate to lead, though regional priorities differ.
- The concept remains primarily tied to environmental concerns, but resilience is becoming more prominent, while the well-being of residents remains secondary.
- Stakeholders are more informed but not sufficiently trained, limiting their ability to take concrete action.
Rising Awareness of Sustainable Construction
67% of stakeholders now claim to fully understand sustainable construction, a 6-point improvement from last year.
The perceived urgency remains strong: 69% of stakeholders consider implementing more sustainable construction a priority. This consistent finding is reinforced by public sentiment: 60% of citizens view sustainable construction as a priority, and 95% agree it is at least an important issue. The next challenge lies in translating this heightened awareness into tangible actions, while considering local conditions.
In Canada, the share of stakeholders who understand sustainable construction has risen by 20 points year-over-year to 71%. However, there is a significant gap within the general public: only 22% of Canadians are familiar with the concept of sustainable construction and understand what it involves. Additionally, Canadians are less likely (52%) than the global average to believe that implementing sustainable construction solutions is a priority.
Private Sector's Critical Role in Accelerating the Transition
87% of stakeholders agree that more must be done to promote sustainable construction. Key actors in the early design phase, such as architects and engineers, are seen as essential drivers of this transition: 56% of stakeholders regard them as the most legitimate to lead, followed by private sector companies at 44%.
However, regional priorities vary widely:
67% of stakeholders now claim to fully understand sustainable construction, a 6-point improvement from last year.
The perceived urgency remains strong: 69% of stakeholders consider implementing more sustainable construction a priority. This consistent finding is reinforced by public sentiment: 60% of citizens view sustainable construction as a priority, and 95% agree it is at least an important issue. The next challenge lies in translating this heightened awareness into tangible actions, while considering local conditions.
In Canada, the share of stakeholders who understand sustainable construction has risen by 20 points year-over-year to 71%. However, there is a significant gap within the general public: only 22% of Canadians are familiar with the concept of sustainable construction and understand what it involves. Additionally, Canadians are less likely (52%) than the global average to believe that implementing sustainable construction solutions is a priority.
Private Sector's Critical Role in Accelerating the Transition
87% of stakeholders agree that more must be done to promote sustainable construction. Key actors in the early design phase, such as architects and engineers, are seen as essential drivers of this transition: 56% of stakeholders regard them as the most legitimate to lead, followed by private sector companies at 44%.
However, regional priorities vary widely:
- In Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, building adaptability is a major concern.
- In Latin America, the focus is on using environmentally friendly materials.
- In Europe, there is a strong interest in building renovation.
- In North America, affordable housing costs take precedence.
This regional diversity highlights the need to adapt sustainable construction strategies to local contexts, while maintaining a unified global approach.
Environmental Concerns Still Dominate, But Resilience is Gaining Ground; Well-being Remains Secondary
Although stakeholders report a greater understanding of sustainable construction, they continue to associate it primarily with environmental issues. Energy efficiency (35%) and the use of eco-friendly materials (31%) are still the top criteria for defining the concept.
Resilience to climate risks is becoming a more prominent issue, showing the largest increase since the previous edition—rising 8 points to 21%. Its importance varies by region, being most pressing in Africa (35%) and Asia-Pacific (32%), areas that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
The "human" dimension of sustainable construction still struggles to gain prominence and remains secondary. Only 15% of stakeholders and 15% of citizens associate sustainable construction with improving occupant well-being, even though this aspect could play a critical role in its acceptance and implementation.
Stakeholder Awareness Not Yet Fully Translated into Action
While stakeholders report a strong understanding of sustainable construction, only 28% feel fully informed, and 35% of professionals have received formal training. This partial understanding may explain why some stakeholders have not yet made concrete commitments.
Environmental Concerns Still Dominate, But Resilience is Gaining Ground; Well-being Remains Secondary
Although stakeholders report a greater understanding of sustainable construction, they continue to associate it primarily with environmental issues. Energy efficiency (35%) and the use of eco-friendly materials (31%) are still the top criteria for defining the concept.
Resilience to climate risks is becoming a more prominent issue, showing the largest increase since the previous edition—rising 8 points to 21%. Its importance varies by region, being most pressing in Africa (35%) and Asia-Pacific (32%), areas that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
The "human" dimension of sustainable construction still struggles to gain prominence and remains secondary. Only 15% of stakeholders and 15% of citizens associate sustainable construction with improving occupant well-being, even though this aspect could play a critical role in its acceptance and implementation.
Stakeholder Awareness Not Yet Fully Translated into Action
While stakeholders report a strong understanding of sustainable construction, only 28% feel fully informed, and 35% of professionals have received formal training. This partial understanding may explain why some stakeholders have not yet made concrete commitments.
- 78% of students believe that training in sustainable construction is an advantage for employment, but only 40% would turn down an offer from a company not committed to sustainability.
- 67% of professionals claim to assess the carbon footprint of their projects, but only 30% do so systematically.
- 51% of local government officials say they plan to exclude non-sustainable projects from public procurement, but only 37% have taken this step, although the 26-point increase from 2024 is encouraging.
- 51% of associations say they would consider boycotting companies that aren't sufficiently committed to sustainability, but only 24% have actually taken action.
The challenge for all stakeholders in the value chain is to transform collective awareness into real actions. This presents a tremendous opportunity for mobilization.
Focus on Sustainable Construction in Canada
While Canada participates in this global survey for the second year, it is clear that industry stakeholders remain committed to sustainable construction and view it as a priority. However, there is a pressing need to raise awareness and educate the Canadian public, as only 22% are familiar with the concept of sustainable construction.
The Top Three Actions Needed to Accelerate Sustainable Construction:
Focus on Sustainable Construction in Canada
While Canada participates in this global survey for the second year, it is clear that industry stakeholders remain committed to sustainable construction and view it as a priority. However, there is a pressing need to raise awareness and educate the Canadian public, as only 22% are familiar with the concept of sustainable construction.
The Top Three Actions Needed to Accelerate Sustainable Construction:
- According to stakeholders:
- Raise awareness and strengthen collaboration (40%).
- Provide more training for professionals (30%).
- Make sustainable materials, products, and solutions more competitive (29%), an improvement from 2024, reflecting better understanding of the costs of sustainable solutions.
- According to Canadians (general public):
- Make sustainable materials, products, and solutions more competitive (38%).
- Prioritize the use of biomaterials over conventional materials (26%).
- Raise public awareness of the challenges of sustainable construction (26%).
- Make the performance of sustainable buildings more visible and transparent (26%).
Beyond the Barometer: The Work of the Sustainable Construction Observatory
The Sustainable Construction Observatory, launched in 2023, is also supported by Sustainable Construction Talks—international discussions held alongside major multilateral events and at the national level—and an online platform, Constructing a Sustainable Future. The platform has released its third special edition, both in print and digital formats, titled "Sustainable Construction: How to Keep Innovating?" This edition delves into expert insights and inspiring projects, exploring the key levers needed to accelerate the transformation of the sector toward more sustainable construction.
The Sustainable Construction Observatory, launched in 2023, is also supported by Sustainable Construction Talks—international discussions held alongside major multilateral events and at the national level—and an online platform, Constructing a Sustainable Future. The platform has released its third special edition, both in print and digital formats, titled "Sustainable Construction: How to Keep Innovating?" This edition delves into expert insights and inspiring projects, exploring the key levers needed to accelerate the transformation of the sector toward more sustainable construction.
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