Digital construction tools are reshaping sustainability reporting as embodied carbon measurement becomes mainstream across UK projects.
New research from NBS (powered by Hubexo) shows a marked shift in how the construction industry approaches sustainability reporting. According to the NBS Digital Construction Report 2025, three in five construction professionals now use digital technology to measure embodied carbon, up from two in five in 2023. The findings reflect an industry responding to mounting regulatory, investor and client expectations for transparent environmental impact assessment.
The research, based on responses from more than 550 construction professionals, highlights that sustainability is no longer treated as a strategic ambition alone. Instead, digital sustainability reporting tools are becoming embedded in everyday design, specification and delivery workflows. Only one in seven respondents now report not using digital technologies for environmental assessments.
Embodied carbon measurement leads digital adoption
Embodied carbon reporting has become the focal point of digital adoption across the sector. Three-fifths of professionals now deploy digital tools to assess embodied carbon, energy demand and water demand, demonstrating consistent growth across key sustainability metrics since 2023.
Lifecycle analysis has also seen significant progress. Over half of respondents now use digital tools for whole-life carbon and lifecycle assessment, compared with just one-third two years ago. This growth underlines the increasing reliance on structured data, digital product information and standardised methodologies to support evidence-based decision-making.
Environmental impact assessment driven by technology
Nearly 90% of professionals surveyed agree that digital technologies are having a positive environmental impact, representing an increase of almost 20% compared with the 2023 report. This consensus suggests that digital construction is increasingly viewed as a practical mechanism for achieving sustainability targets, rather than a theoretical enabler.
Artificial intelligence also features prominently in attitudes towards digital sustainability reporting. Seven in ten professionals recognise AI as reliable for improving sustainability outcomes, particularly in analysing product data, checking compliance with environmental standards and modelling lifecycle impacts. Despite awareness of AI’s own carbon footprint, respondents continue to prioritise its analytical value within environmental assessment processes.
Construction closes the digital maturity gap
The findings indicate a shift in industry confidence around digital maturity. Half of respondents now believe construction is no longer lagging behind other sectors in digital adoption, compared with just one-quarter in 2023. This growing confidence extends directly to sustainability reporting and environmental data management.
Dr Lee Jones, Head of Sustainability at Hubexo, said: “The ability to provide accurate, real-time environmental data throughout a project’s lifecycle is increasingly valued by construction professionals, as well as investors and regulators. Digital tools enable this transparency whilst also providing the insights needed to optimise environmental performance during design and construction phases.”
He added: “Our latest report reveals a dramatic acceleration in these practices, with digital technologies now widely adopted for environmental impact assessment, and they’re clearly making a big difference when it comes to embodied carbon reporting.”
A data-led future for sustainable construction
The NBS Digital Construction Report 2025 positions digital technology as both an enabler and auditor of sustainability performance across the built environment. As embodied carbon measurement, lifecycle analysis and environmental impact assessment become standard practice, digital construction platforms are set to play a central role in compliance, reporting and performance optimisation.
With digital sustainability reporting now embedded across embodied carbon, lifecycle analysis and compliance, construction is moving decisively toward measurable, transparent environmental performance throughout the project lifecycle.
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