Special edition on materials for affordable housing and infrastructure

The construction industry places an ever-increasing burden on the sustainability of the world. It not only accounts for almost 20% of the total global freshwater consumption but as well consumes, directly or indirectly, up to 40% of the total global energy. At the same time, the industry generates between 20% and 30% of the total waste, and this figure increases considerably once demolition waste is included. It is a difficult task still to enforce international agreements on reducing the CO2 emissions, banishing toxic pollution materials or minimising high energy embodied materials.