Weekly Policy Update |
up to Monday 14th November 2025
Information provided by National Constructing Excellence
COP30 update
At the global climate summit COP30, unlocking finance for low and middle income countries (LMICs) – to address clean energy, resilience, loss and damage, nature protection and climate justice – is a key focus. A total of $3.2tn per year is required for LMICs to 2035. Most of this will come from the countries themselves, but $1.3tn annually would need to come from external private and public sources – representing a seven-times increase on current levels.
A further important issue for the summit is to finalise the long-delayed Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), setting measurable targets and funding mechanisms for resilience in vulnerable regions. One of the seven areas covered by the GGA, where targets will hopefully be set, is resilience of infrastructure and human settlements.
In initiatives led by the United Nations Environment Programme co-ordinated Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (ABC), the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate has held its first ministerial-level meeting “to catalyse global cooperation on climate action in the buildings sector”. The ABC’s Buildings Breakthrough has published a global policy plan to make near-zero emission and resilient buildings the new normal by 2030.
A report on jobs and skills produced for COP30 by the German government’s International Climate initiative finds that:
- In terms of jobs, the construction sector could be the largest global beneficiary from the climate transition with an estimated 175 million new jobs “driven by retrofitting, nature-positive construction, energy-efficient infrastructure, resilient infrastructure and utilities”.
- AI could be an accelerator to climate progress, closing about one-third of the gap to a 1.5C pathway, “if steered toward public-good use cases”. Further, “potential energy savings could far outweigh AI’s own datacenter footprint”.
Government announcements
Social and Affordable Housing Programme 2026–36
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has published a policy paper providing details on the Social and Affordable Housing programme. The ten-year plan targets 300,000 new affordable homes, 60% for social rent, backed by £2.5bn in low-interest loans and a £5.5mn fund to boost council capacity.
MHCLG gives update on the Building Safety Regulator
The government has laid draft regulations that will move the functions of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) out of the Health and Safety Executive and to an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by MHCLG. The government stated that it is an important first step towards establishing a single construction regulator. Inside Housing has published a deep dive for housing associations into how they can navigate the BSR’s process.
HSE seeks views on proposals to enhance worker and public protection from asbestos exposure
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today launched a consultation on proposals to improve the application of the Control of Asbestos Regulations and guidance around asbestos management to help protect workers and building users. The consultation is open until 9 January: HSE seeks views on proposals to enhance worker and public protection from asbestos exposure – HSE Media Centre
Parliamentarians Launch New Report Calling for a Radical Shift in Government’s Approach to Infrastructure Delivery
Parliamentarians warn that “systemic failures” in major infrastructure project delivery could “derail” the Government’s infrastructure ambitions. In a new report launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Project Delivery (APPGPD), Building a Better Future: Inquiry into improving the delivery of national infrastructure projects, parliamentarians have called for radical action to prevent infrastructure projects being boiled in the pressure cooker of Government, Parliament, the media and shifting public expectations. Parliamentarians Launch New Report Calling for a Radical Shift in Government’s Approach to Infrastructure Delivery — APPG for Project Delivery
Lords opens second module of inquiry into government plans for new towns – Inside Housing
Inside Housing reports that the House of Lords Built Environment Committee launched a “New Towns: Creating Communities” inquiry focused on how to ensure new towns and expanded settlements become thriving, successful communities.
In the news
Inside Housing – News – Councils not moving fast enough to meet net zero goals
Construction hangs on to growth as new orders rebound | Construction Enquirer News
UK construction activity falls at fastest pace for 5 years
UK chooses north Wales for new generation of nuclear reactor