Knowledge centre
Circularity & Resource Efficiency
Circular construction reduces waste and keeps materials in use longer. Embedding circularity creates efficient, resilient buildings and supports Ireland’s low-impact future.
Resource Efficiency to Decarbonise Construction
The Circular Economy in construction focuses on maximising resource efficiency and minimising waste throughout a building’s entire lifecycle - from design and construction to operation and deconstruction. Unlike the traditional “take, use, dispose” model, circular construction ensures that materials, products, and spaces are designed for longevity, adaptability, and reuse.
Embedding circular principles into buildings and infrastructure can reduce environmental impact, extend the value of materials, and create buildings that are not only resource-efficient but also resilient and future-proof.
Since 2016, Circularity has been one of the key priorities for the IGBC strategy, and the has provided resources to help the construction and property industry embed circularity in their processes and projects. On this page you can find material to help you embed circularity into your projects.
Embedding circular principles into buildings and infrastructure can reduce environmental impact, extend the value of materials, and create buildings that are not only resource-efficient but also resilient and future-proof.
Since 2016, Circularity has been one of the key priorities for the IGBC strategy, and the has provided resources to help the construction and property industry embed circularity in their processes and projects. On this page you can find material to help you embed circularity into your projects.
Publications
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Pre-Demolition Guidance
How circularity can be embedded at the demolition and enabling phase, using Opera Square as a case example -
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Circular Economy Playbook For the Built Environment | Circular Design Principles Brief
Support the industry stakeholders in the transition towards a decarbonised and circular built environment environment. -
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Circular Economy Playbook For The Built Environment Sector | Circular Construction Brief
Support industry stakeholders in the transition towards a decarbonised and circular built environment -
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Vacant To Vibrant Building Alliance – Final Recommendations
Recommendations to help meet the target of 300,000 new homes by 2030, supporting compact growth and vibrant urban living. -
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Home User Guide Template
Template for home-builders and developers providing guide to home users -
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Implementation of Circularity, WLC and LCC in Public Construction Projects
Green Public Procurement Handbook -
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Building a Zero Carbon Ireland
A Roadmap to decarbonise Ireland’s Built Environment across its Whole Life Cycle
News
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News
Cross-sector coalition calls for stronger action on vacancy & dereliction to deliver more housing
Dublin, 5 November 2025: Dedicated vacancy teams in local authorities, expanded reuse grants and a wider suite of... -
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Building a Circular Ireland” Roadmap Launched Today by Minister James Browne
Dublin, 15 May 2025 – A major new report charting Ireland’s path to a circular built environment... -
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HAVE YOUR SAY! Building a Circular Ireland: A Roadmap for a Resource-Efficient Built Environment
The Irish Green Building Council is excited to announce the release of the draft Roadmap for Building a... -
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Transforming Ireland’s built environment in 2025
First published in Irish Construction News The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 is officially the... -
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#BuildingLife Series: “We need to speed up the decarbonisation of the construction industry by taking action ourselves” – John Casey, CORA Consulting
First published by Passive House Plus In the #BuildingLife Ambassador Spotlight Series, we are profiling leaders who have... -
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#BuildingLife: “Cross-sector collaboration is the only way to achieve a zero-carbon construction sector” – David Browne – RKD
This excerpt originates from an article featured in the most recent edition of Irish Construction News. Read the... -
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Enhancing Sustainability in Public Construction: A Handbook for Green Indicators
In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainable construction practices have become more important than ever. With a focus on...
Projects
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Vacant to Vibrant Building Alliance
Key actions to address vacancies and derelictions in our towns and cities and deliver the homes we need. -
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Transition to a Circular Economy
Provide a Transition to Circular Economy Template and a Best Practice Guidance Document to assist builders in adopting circular practices within the Irish construction sector. -
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Material Passports
Pioneering and promoting the Material Passport technology in the Irish Construction Sector -
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Home User Guide
Easy to understand Home User Guide for home occupants to operate and maintain their homes more efficiently. -
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Construction Materials Exchange
A digital platform to unlock the potential of excess construction materials.