Investing in sustainable building materials can cut a house’s carbon footprint by more than 1kg of CO₂ per Euro spent.
According to new research from Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Corvinus University of Budapest, the biggest impact comes from upgrading external walls and windows with eco-friendly materials.
Researchers compared standard detached and semi-detached homes with sustainable alternatives, calculating the carbon reduction per euro invested.
Windows and external walls deliver the highest impact, reducing emissions by up to 6kg per Euro spent.
However, the study found that 65% of a house’s lifetime emissions come from energy use rather than construction or maintenance.
That means long-term efficiency upgrades could be just as important as eco-friendly building materials.
Building sustainably isn’t cheap. The total cost of ownership for an eco-friendly house is 7-11% higher than a standard home. Maintenance is also pricier—20% higher for detached homes and 13% higher for semi-detached ones—because some sustainable materials need more frequent replacement.
“The impact of the construction sector is country-dependent,” say the researchers. “Nevertheless, some observations can be easily generalised, such as the lower impact of timber frames compared to concrete structures.”
With residential housing responsible for 17% of global carbon emissions, the study highlights where sustainable materials can deliver the biggest climate benefits—and where homeowners and policymakers should focus their efforts.
