At TRANSFORM 2025, a roadmap emerges for reducing our construction waste

After two days of intense discussion among global leaders in sustainable building, the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) TRANSFORM 2025 summit concluded with a clear directive: waste must be reimagined, not merely managed. 

According to the organisers, this 7th TRANSFORM 2025 summit attracted 630 attendees - the biggest TRANSFORM to date – with 91% of these (573) attending in person, while 9% (57) were virtual attendees.

Another milestone of this event was the unveiling of the GBCAs 10-step roadmap that is designed to challenge the construction industry to adopt systemic change and circular thinking to tackle its massive waste footprint.

1. Rethink the concept of waste

Mette Wendel, a facilitator at Denmark’s pioneering Kalundborg Symbiosis, argued that “it’s only waste if you can’t find a use for it.” Kalundborg’s network of 17 companies shares more than 30 resource streams—proof that collaboration can dramatically reduce emissions and resource use. “Systems make it possible,” she says, “but people make it happen.”

2. Policy at all levels still matters

While the U.S. federal stance on climate has wavered, 24 states remain committed to Paris Agreement goals. Peter Templeton of the U.S. Green Building Council and Lisa Reynolds of South Africa’s GBC underscored that both regulation and finance are proving effective levers for local progress.

3. Material manufacturers face the decarbonisation challenge

With steel responsible for 8 percent of global emissions, industry leaders such as BlueScope Steel are investing in cleaner technologies. A partnership with Rio Tinto and BHP aims to electrify iron ore processing. But scaling up remains complex—and expensive.

4. ESG principles persist, despite scrutiny

In Southeast Asia, companies like City Developments Limited are deepening their commitments. “We are expanding our ESG lens to include biodiversity, water and waste,” says Esther An, the firm’s chief sustainability officer.

5. Finance is moving with purpose

With over $6 trillion in green bonds already issued, sustainable finance is becoming mainstream. Experts like Sarah Barker and Nicole Yazbek-Martin stressed the importance of aligning capital with climate risk—and the need for shared language and standards.

6. Housing must be both green and affordable

Australia’s housing crisis adds pressure to build better and faster. Solutions highlighted included Landcom’s net-zero display home and Solar Victoria’s successful incentives, which have helped hundreds of thousands install solar panels.

7. Resilience is part of the net-zero equation

At Hunters Point in Florida, 86 LEED Zero Energy homes withstood hurricanes and power outages. “We’re not just building homes,” says developer Marshall Gobuty. “We’re building resilience.”

8. Circular procurement needs to accelerate

A new GBCA guide urges industry to reframe how it values materials. “We don’t see metal in a skip,” says Mirvac’s David Palin. Experts have warned Australia’s ecological overshoot day continues to arrive earlier each year.

9. Sustainability as a long game

Nicole Sullivan of thinkstep-anz reminded attendees that sustainability is an “infinite game”—less about competition and more about enduring collaboration.

10. Eliminate barriers to action

The GBCA is working to streamline processes and reduce “friction,” says Jorge Chapa, its Chief Impact Officer. Green Star-certified projects are projected to save millions of tonnes of carbon, waste, and water in the next five years.

As TRANSFORM 2025 concluded, the message was clear: industry cannot afford to wait. With growing momentum and international resolve, the path to a circular, net-zero future is not just possible—it is already under construction.

Images: Supplied.