PhD Studentship: Impact of Circular Economy Measures on the Transition to Net Zero in the Construction Industry

The UK’s built environment is responsible for around 60% waste generation and 25% greenhouse emissions. The UK’s Climate Change Act laid the groundwork for the UK’s net zero vision and targets. To date, efforts to tackle the climate crisis have focused on the transition to energy efficiency. However, the Climate Change Committee acknowledged that energy efficiency measures will not be enough to meet net zero targets.

It is estimated by projects of the UKRI Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for Mineral-Based Construction Materials that adopting circular economy principles in the construction sector could contribute a 38% reduction in C02 emissions by 2050. As such, the construction sector offers credible opportunities to mitigate the impact of climate change by applying circular economy principles to support the transition to net zero. This doctoral project, which is part of the UKRI Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for Mineral-Based Construction Materials (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/circular-economy-centre-for-construction-minerals) offers an exciting opportunity to optimize the nexus between circular economy and next zero.

The aim of the project is to investigate, evaluate and classify circular economy strategies that have the potential to support the transition to net zero in the construction industry.

Supervisors

Fees for the 2024-25 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2024, January 2025, April 2025 and July 2025.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.