Welcome to the CO₂nstruct Serious Game

Circular Economy for EU Climate Neutrality by 2050

Can circular economy help Europe’s reaching its climate targets?

See how far you can change the construction value chain for less emissions and materials consumption.

The game was developed within the project CO2NSTRUCT. We studied circularity & climate mitigation for buildings and the value chains of cement, steel, bricks and glass.

Construction is pervasive in all economic activity.

In the European Union alone, the construction sector accounts for 9% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 18 million jobs.

However, the construction sector relies on non-renewable resources for energy and materials.

The production and utilization of construction materials as cement, bricks, steel and glass significantly contribute to the sector’s carbon footprint.

Consequently, this is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, responsible for 34% of global energy consumption and 37% of global emissions.

We need construction!

Shifting to a carbon-neutral economy will require massive construction efforts.

The construction materials, what we build and how we build will play a key role in decarbonisation.

But not everything is CO₂.

Besides contribution to GHG emissions, the construction sector generates approximately one billion tons of building debris annually, making it one of the largest sources of waste globally.

We need to ensure that construction will not increase GHG emissions, destroy ecosystems, nor aggravate social inequalities and health problems.

We cannot think about climate neutrality without thinking about circularity of construction.

Play the game and see if circular economy can help Europe’s reaching its climate targets!

Choose your profile:

You are about to start! Will circular economy help you making Europe carbon neutral?

You can choose to play this game as one of the following:

Who do you pick?

Bob Builder - Executive working for a major construction company specialized in eco-friendly building projects.

Carla Carbon - Policy maker engaged in carbon-neutrality legislation and sustainable green energy.

Verda Green - Teen activist with an environmental NGO dedicated to global climate campaigns.

Gina Factory - Director of operations on industry company sectors focused on modern manufacturing.

Mario Circulare - Responsible for municipal waste management programs and urban recycling.

Rico Tech - Entrepreneur working with innovative technologies designed to create green systems.

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PHASE 1 — 2026 to 2030

By 2030, the European Union must reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 55% compared to 1990 levels! Can the accelerated transition to circular practices in the construction sector and industry help? Pressure on raw materials, industrial emissions and logistical inefficiencies is growing. Decisions made now can shape the next decade.

Demand for recycled materials is growing rapidly, and market volatility is putting pressure on the industry. Your decisions will determine the stability of the supply chains.

To change the profile of consumed raw materials in construction materials industry, which measure should be prioritised?

€ | Introduce voluntary recycled content audits.

€€€ | Replace 20% of virgin raw materials with recycled ones, no matter the cost.

€€ | Implement gradual targets increasing the ambition in replacing the % of virgin raw materials with recycled ones.

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The construction sector faces increasing demands for transparency. Consumers and regulators are asking for more information on the origin of raw materials and their carbon footprint.

How to promote a more circular and transparent supply chain?

€€€ | Import materials from outside Europe only when they meet verified sustainability criteria, such as low embodied carbon, recycled content, responsible sourcing, or durability

€ | Require digital passports for all materials. This is a digital record with information across materials' lifecycle.

€€ | Identify in which mine or quarry in Europe the raw materials (iron ore, sand, limestone, clay) were originally extracted

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European and global agencies warn that industry GHG emissions are higher than expected. Action is needed.

How can industrial decarbonisation be encouraged?

€ | Increase mandatory energy efficiency targets and support increase recycling of materials like steel and glass (cullet) to reduce emissions.

€€€ | Targeted financial, regulatory, and technical support to companies that voluntarily act as pioneers in the adoption of innovative technologies.

€€ | Moderately subsidize technological advances as not to undermine competitiveness.

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Millions of buildings remain energy inefficient, contributing to ongoing emissions and high costs. Many homes in the EU are empty but more continue to be built.

How can emissions associated with buildings construction and use be reduced?

€ | More awareness campaigns.

€€ | Use biofuels and electrify bulldozers and other construction machinery

€€€ | Promote shared housing models.

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The amount of construction and demolition waste is growing, and landfills are approaching maximum capacity.

How should we better manage construction and demolition waste?

€ | Continue landfill disposal, but in a more careful manner by compacting more the waste.

€€€ | Promote selective demolition, together with mandatory sorting and high-quality recycling of construction and demolition waste.

€€ | Create pilot reuse centres to prevent construction and waste demolition waste production.

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The transition to a circular construction sector is being slowed by a shortage of skilled workers in selective demolition, material sorting, remanufacturing, and circular construction.

How should this labour shortage be addressed?

€€€ | Invest in research and digitalisation aiming for less labour-intensive solutions – this might take some time though.

€€ | Establish publicly funded fast-track training programmes for circular skills in selective demolition, material recovery, and remanufacturing. Update curricula, and create incentives for circular jobs across the value chain.

€ | Increase workforce availability and improve productivity within existing construction practices.

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BONUS!

Well done! Your actions so far allowed for saving millions of m3 of freshwater!

By consuming less raw materials and producing less we can save water used in mining & quarrying, in industrial processes and construction.

Collect 5 points!

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In 2029, severe housing shortage coupled with intense storms and droughts puts pressure on governments and businesses, requiring quick decisions.

How should the EU's circularity and climate policies be adjusted?

€ | Promote conversion of unoccupied buildings ensuring that they are climate resilient and net zero energy.

€€€ | Increase the budget allocated to climate mitigation and adaptation.

€€ | Rapidly building more houses to ensure adequate living conditions.

None

Time's up

Welcome to the CO₂nstruct Serious Game

Circular Economy for EU Climate Neutrality by 2050

Can circular economy help Europe’s reaching its climate targets?

See how far you can change the construction value chain for less emissions and materials consumption.

Shifting to a carbon-neutral economy will require massive construction efforts.

The construction materials, what we build and how we build will play a key role in decarbonisation.

But not everything is CO2. Besides contribution to GHG emissions, the construction sector generates approximately one billion tons of building debris annually, making it one of the largest sources of waste globally.

We need to ensure that construction will not increase GHG emissions, destroy ecosystems, nor aggravate social inequalities and health problems.

We cannot think about climate neutrality without thinking about circularity of construction.

Play the game and see if circular economy can help Europe’s reaching its climate targets!

You are about to start! Will circular economy help you making Europe carbon neutral?

You can choose to play this game as one of the following:

Who do you pick?

To change the profile of consumed raw materials in construction materials industry, which measure should be prioritised?

How to promote a more circular and transparent supply chain?

How can industrial decarbonisation be encouraged?

How can emissions associated with buildings construction and use be reduced?

How should we better manage construction and demolition waste?

How should this labour shortage be addressed?

Well done! Your actions so far allowed for saving millions of m3 of freshwater!By consuming less raw materials and producing less we can save water used in mining & quarrying, in industrial processes and construction.

How should the EU's circularity and climate policies be adjusted?

But not everything is CO₂.

Besides contribution to GHG emissions, the construction sector generates approximately one billion tons of building debris annually, making it one of the largest sources of waste globally.

Well done! Your actions so far allowed for saving millions of m3 of freshwater!

By consuming less raw materials and producing less we can save water used in mining & quarrying, in industrial processes and construction.