KTU Researchers: Data, Tools and Skills Gaps are Slowing Low‑Carbon Construction

The construction sector is considered one of the most environmentally impactful industries. It not only physically transforms the environment but also generates significant greenhouse gas emissions throughout the construction, use, and demolition of buildings. According to European Commission data, buildings account for around 40 % of total energy consumption and approximately 36 % of energy-related CO₂ emissions in the European Union.

However, the sector is expected to undergo major changes in the coming years. Under the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), life-cycle greenhouse gas (GWP) emissions will have to be calculated for new buildings, and compliance with set limit values will become mandatory from 2028 and 2030, respectively.

Researchers at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU SAF) emphasise that this issue – like the construction sector itself – is highly complex. One of the key challenges is understanding the sector’s needs and supporting it in making informed decisions.

At present, many market participants are not fully aware of what these changes will mean in practice, including the new skills, tools, and working methods that will be required.

Developing a Tool for Digital Decision-Support System

The Baltic research and development project SUSTAINOVATE, led by KTU in collaboration with Riga and Tallinn Universities of Technology, is focused on addressing these challenges. As part of the project, an open-access digital decision-support system will be developed and tested.

International discussions increasingly highlight that effective sustainability assessment depends not only on methodologies but, above all, on robust data infrastructure.

The research team began by assessing the current situation and conducting a survey of sector professionals.

Legal Framework Lagging Behind Digital Capabilities

An analysis of existing legal frameworks and regulations revealed a notable paradox: while policy ambitions are high, practical preparedness still falls short of upcoming requirements. The sector is moving towards mandatory changes without having all the necessary tools in place.

“At present, the main challenge lies not only in the regulations themselves but in the data and tools required to implement them. The lack of standardised methodologies and reliable material data makes it difficult to carry out consistent and comparable calculations in practice,” says the professor.

The findings show that, among the Baltic states, Estonia is currently the most advanced in this area.

The Sector Shows Willingness to Invest in Sustainability

The researchers also surveyed representatives of Lithuania’s construction sector to better understand their perspectives on sustainability.

The results indicate that sustainable construction is still most often understood through individual aspects rather than a full life-cycle approach. Most respondents associate sustainability with circularity (88 %), energy efficiency (85 %), and low-carbon materials (%). However, only 72 % link it to life cycle assessment (LCA), and just 61 % to digital design tools (BIM). This suggests that an integrated approach has not yet been fully adopted across the sector.

“It is noteworthy that sustainability assessment tools are not seen as particularly complex. Only 15 % of respondents consider them difficult to use, while 60 % had no opinion – likely indicating limited exposure. From an economic perspective, the market appears relatively open to sustainable solutions: 33 % of respondents would be willing to pay 6–10 % more, and an additional 21 % would pay 11–20 % more. Only a small share (7 %) would be entirely unwilling to pay extra for more sustainable construction solutions,” notes the KTU researcher.

These findings confirm that the challenges facing the construction sector are systemic and interconnected. Regulations or standalone tools alone are not sufficient – there is a clear need to integrate data infrastructure, digital solutions, and skills development.

Success Depends on Stakeholder Understanding

A key component of the project is training specialists and sharing knowledge. The aim is not only to develop a tool but also to ensure that market participants can use it effectively and make well-informed decisions.

The project contributes to stakeholder education, promotes more sustainable design solutions, and supports the development of a resilient and resource-efficient construction environment. This is particularly important in light of upcoming EU requirements, which will significantly transform practices within the sector.

The system will be tested in real construction projects, and the results will inform recommendations for national and local decision-makers. The project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania.