Transitioning Towards Circular Construction in China: Breaking Barriers and Unlocking Sustainable Growth
Authors: Chengxu Gan1; Li Nan1
Affiliations:
- 1Faculty of Business, UNITAR International University, 47301, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Abstract
In response to the growing challenges of global climate change and resource depletion, China’s construction sector, one of the most resource-intensive industries, has become a central focus of national sustainability reforms. Characterised by high energy and material consumption, the industry has been targeted with policies promoting green building practices, reusing construction materials, and reducing waste. However, from policy design to implementation, challenges remain, including fragmented standards, weak regulatory mechanisms, and limited monitoring. This study evaluates the operational performance of China’s circular building policies, drawing on experiences from the EU and Nordic countries to propose improvements. A qualitative approach was used, combining content analysis of policy documents with comparative case studies from three pilot cities. Findings show that despite progress, institutional barriers persist, such as inconsistent standards, limited enforcement capacity, and the absence of comprehensive regulatory mechanisms. Compared with international examples, China still faces gaps in life-cycle thinking, cross-sector governance, and market incentives. The study recommends incorporating life-cycle assessment tools into mandatory frameworks, creating a unified building data platform, and strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility system to improve policy coherence, enforcement, and long-term sustainability.
Keywords: Circular Economy; Green Building Governance; Policy Implementation; Institutional Reform
Suggested citation
Gan, C., & Li, N. (2025). Transitioning Towards Circular Construction in China: Breaking Barriers and Unlocking Sustainable Growth. In TheSustainImpact International Forum 2025 Book of Abstracts (Vol. 1, Issue 1). TheSustainImpact. ISSN 3051-7362.