The Front Line of Environmental Response in the Civil Engineering and Construction Industry: Introducing the Latest Initiatives for Decarbonization and Reducing Environmental Impact

Introduction

In recent years, the civil engineering and construction industry has faced an urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions and lower environmental impacts to realize a decarbonized society. At the same time, addressing severe labor shortages and rising material and fuel prices requires cost reductions through productivity improvements. Traditionally, environmental considerations and construction efficiency/cost have often been seen as trade-offs. However, thanks to technological innovation and creative construction methods, cases where environmental-impact reduction and construction efficiency/cost savings can be achieved together are increasing.

This article explains the latest trends in environmental response in the civil engineering and construction field for a wide readership—from general contractors to local governments, construction consultants, and engineers and environmental managers at small and medium-sized contractors. We focus particularly on energy-saving construction (reducing energy consumption during the construction phase) and environmental assessment response (accurate and efficient responses to environmental impact assessment), introducing specific case examples, their effects, costs and challenges at introduction, and solutions.

In energy-saving construction, we cover the introduction of low-fuel-consumption and low-emission construction machinery, optimization of heavy equipment operation using ICT, promotion of material recycling, and energy reduction through shortened construction periods. In environmental assessment response, we look broadly at the institutional background, the latest assessment methods, labor-saving technologies, linkage with LCA and BIM, feedback utilization during the construction phase, and advanced cases by local governments. At the end of the article, we also touch on a new surveying technology that combines smartphones and high-precision GNSS receivers, introducing how such DX (digital transformation) can contribute to energy-saving construction and reduced environmental impact.

Latest Initiatives in Energy-Saving Construction

Construction sites for civil engineering and building works consume large amounts of energy through the operation of heavy construction machinery and material transport, resulting in CO2 and various environmental burdens. Therefore, energy-saving construction, which reduces energy consumption on site itself, has become a pillar of decarbonization. Here we look at concrete examples of major recent initiatives that contribute to energy-saving construction: energy saving and decarbonization of construction machinery, ICT utilization to improve construction efficiency, reuse of construction by-products, and energy reduction through construction-period shortening.

Introduction of Low-Fuel-Consumption and Decarbonized Construction Machinery

Heavy equipment used at construction sites—such as hydraulic excavators and bulldozers—consume large amounts of diesel fuel and emit significant CO2 and exhaust. Therefore, switching the machinery itself to energy-saving and low-emission types is an effective environmental measure. Recently, major construction equipment manufacturers have accelerated hybridization and electrification of heavy equipment toward decarbonization, and practical models have increased. For example, in 2023 Komatsu obtained the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “[GX Construction Machinery Certification](https://www.komatsu.jp/ja/newsroom/2023/20231225)” for seven electric construction machine models, signaling a broader industry movement toward full-scale electrification. Hitachi Construction Machinery has also rolled out the electric excavator “ZE” series up to the medium class, and Tadano released the world’s first all-electric crane, among other developments promoting the development and introduction of energy-saving heavy equipment.

Introducing electric or hybrid heavy equipment can significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during operation. In practice, per hydraulic excavator, hybridization has been reported to improve fuel efficiency and emissions by about 20–40% compared to conventional models. In one striking demonstration at a Swedish quarry, replacing a fleet of diesel machines with electric vehicles reportedly reduced total site CO2 emissions by about 98%. While CO2 is emitted during electricity generation, combining electrified machinery with renewable energy sources can make on-site emissions approach net zero. Electric heavy equipment also produces no exhaust and lower noise, reducing impacts on surrounding environments. For example, relaxation of restrictions on nighttime work could improve construction flexibility, yielding efficiency benefits.

A challenge in introducing energy-saving machinery is the higher initial cost (purchase price) compared to conventional equipment. However, over the long term, savings on fuel and reduced frequency of oil changes can lead to lower running costs, making payback likely. Case studies report investment recovery in a few years due to fuel cost reductions. In Japan, subsidy and tax incentive schemes by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are being developed; for instance, introduction subsidies may be available through certification systems for low-carbon or GX construction machinery. Utilizing these support measures where possible is advisable to advance decarbonization of heavy equipment.

Construction Efficiency Improvement Using ICT (Optimizing Idling and Transport)

Utilizing ICT (information and communication technology) to optimize construction processes is another major way to reduce unnecessary on-site energy consumption. By digitally “visualizing” machine and vehicle movements, work sequences, and material inflows/outflows, and by applying automatic control and efficient planning, idling (unnecessary engine operation while waiting) can be reduced and construction can be completed with minimal movements. This is one of the pillars of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “i-Construction” initiative and construction DX, and it has significant effects on both environmental-impact reduction and productivity improvement.

Specific examples of ICT utilization include:

• Machine guidance / machine control (MG/MC): Technologies that use GPS and 3D design data to automatically control the movement of blades or buckets on heavy equipment such as hydraulic excavators. Precise excavation and earthwork become possible without relying on the intuition of veteran operators, eliminating the need to set batter boards or perform sequential surveying and thereby greatly shortening working time. In one experiment, using ICT-enabled hydraulic excavators shortened direct working time by about 43% compared with conventional methods, and required only one-third of the personnel (one operator), according to reported results. This efficiency directly reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

• Visualization of heavy equipment operation status: Systems that attach GNSS transmitters or IoT sensors to on-site heavy equipment and display each machine’s position and trajectory in real time on cloud-based electronic maps or 3D models. For example, Toda Corporation has introduced the “[Heavy Equipment Operation Visualization System](https://www.toda.co.jp/tech/cutting/machinery.html)”, which displays bulldozer and dump truck routes and standby times at a glance to help optimize equipment placement and adjust the number of machines. As a result, fuel usage per task has been reduced, contributing to shorter construction periods and cost savings.

• Route optimization for material transport: By coordinating with subcontractors and transport companies in real time, dump and material truck routes and schedules can be optimized. Using map apps and logistics management systems to avoid congestion and specify time windows with less waiting can shorten total driving distance and idling time. Also, sharing material and excavated soil transport among multiple nearby sites can reduce empty return trips and the number of trucks needed. These measures cut not only unnecessary fuel consumption but also operating costs.

• Digital simulation of construction planning: Before starting work, construction procedures and equipment movements are simulated in 3D on software to plan the most efficient construction schedule. By reducing standby time between processes and overlapping tasks, the plan is optimized to complete work with the minimum necessary movement and operation. Informing operators of work procedures based on simulation results reduces trial-and-error on site and prevents waste of fuel and time.

By optimizing construction with ICT like this, unnecessary operation of heavy equipment and vehicles is reduced, lowering fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. At the same time, there are cost benefits such as reduced labor and machinery expenses from shorter working times. Digitalized construction management also enables “construction without relying on experience or intuition,” which helps maintain quality and efficiency even in sites facing shortages of skilled operators. Introducing these systems requires initial investments in drone surveying, GNSS devices, and dedicated software, but government and local authorities are offering subsidies and bidding score incentives for ICT-utilized construction, and it is advisable to phase in implementations starting with some processes to verify effects.

Reuse of Construction By-products and Use of Recycled Materials

Civil and construction works generate various construction by-products (so-called construction waste and excavated soil), such as excavated soil, concrete and asphalt chunks from demolition, wood, and metal scrap. Traditionally, many of these were transported to disposal sites and landfilled as industrial waste, creating energy consumption and CO2 emissions from disposal and transport. In recent years, initiatives to effectively utilize and recycle by-products as much as possible and implement resource-circulating construction have been spreading. Reusing by-products reduces the need to procure new materials, lowering environmental impact during manufacturing while reducing waste disposal and transport costs.

Some concrete examples of reuse include:

• Effective use of excavated soil: Large volumes of soil produced by tunnel excavation and earthworks (construction-generated soil) are reused on site as backfill or embankment material. Matching systems that provide soil to nearby projects requiring fill or embankment are also being promoted. Reducing long-distance transport and disposal of unwanted soil can significantly cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

• Recycling concrete chunks: Concrete chunks from demolition are crushed and processed into recycled crushed stone (recycled crusher run) or recycled sand, and reused as road base or backfill. This reduces the need to quarry new crushed stone and can cut waste disposal costs. Quality-controlled recycled crushed stone is increasingly being used even in public works.

• Recycling asphalt waste: Old asphalt pavement removed during road rehabilitation can be heated and re-melted to produce recycled asphalt mixture with near-new quality for repaving. Increasing the utilization rate of recycled asphalt reduces the amount of petroleum-derived new asphalt used and saves manufacturing energy.

• Reuse of other materials: Offcuts of wood are reused as plywood or chips, and steel scrap is melted in electric furnaces to produce new steel; reuse of temporary materials and renting reusable products also reduces waste.

By making the most of what is produced on site, disposal and transport volumes are reduced, leading to lower energy consumption and emissions. Successful reuse depends on planning with recycling in mind from the design stage. For example, using digital tools such as BIM/CIM to simulate soil and material quantities for the entire construction project allows pre-consideration of storage locations and destinations for expected by-products. Coordination with related subcontractors and other sites is also important. Such preparation makes it realistic to incorporate workflows that “make use of what is produced,” producing both environmental and cost benefits.

There are, however, challenges to on-site reuse such as ensuring recycled material quality and securing temporary storage space. Solutions include using systems under the national Construction Recycling Law and local government surplus-soil matching systems. Recently, public works increasingly award points for using recycled materials, so environmental initiatives can positively influence bidding outcomes. Depending on site scale, it makes sense to adopt resource-circulating construction within feasible ranges.

Energy Reduction through Shortened Construction Periods

Shortening the construction period is another key element in energy-saving construction. The longer a project takes, the longer heavy equipment, site lighting, temporary office HVAC and electrical systems, and other systems operate continuously, increasing total energy consumption. Conversely, shortening the construction period reduces operating days of heavy equipment and temporary facilities, cutting total energy use and CO2 emissions.

Shortening construction time is often associated with simply increasing manpower or work hours, but the aim here is shortening through efficiency. Eliminating unnecessary waiting time and duplicate work and optimizing construction processes so that the project is “finished sooner” directly saves energy. As mentioned above, ICT contributes to shortening construction periods, and other effective measures include:

• Leveling workloads (takt construction, etc.): By dividing tasks and adopting takt construction to maintain a steady, continuous pace, work flows smoothly without waits, shortening overall construction time. For example, Kajima Corporation adopted takt time at a large site to streamline site logistics, achieving reduced material-delivery vehicle numbers and shortened construction periods, which also serve as CO2 reduction measures.

• Prefabrication and modular construction methods: To reduce on-site work, prefabricate units in factories where possible and assemble finished components on site. Reducing on-site days directly shortens the operation period of temporary facilities and heavy equipment. For example, performing steel welding at the factory and using bolt connections on site has shortened erection periods by a substantial fraction in some cases.

• Thorough pre-planning and parallel work: Conduct detailed schedule reviews before starting work and plan to carry out concurrent operations where possible. Examples include simultaneous aboveground and underground work, and progressing upper-structure fabrication during foundation construction, compressing the overall schedule. However, because safety and quality management are crucial, such approaches should be combined with BIM-based clash checks and advanced site management.

Shortening construction periods directly links to energy savings and cost reductions. For example, shortening a project by one month eliminates fuel and electricity that would otherwise have been consumed during that period, producing CO2 reduction effects and potentially cost savings on the order of several million yen. Earlier completion also enables social benefits from facility operation to begin sooner, benefiting clients and the community. Nonetheless, excessive schedule compression may degrade quality or increase safety risks, so pursuing appropriate shortening through efficiency is essential. Investing time in precise planning using ICT and BIM and close coordination with subcontractors pays off in both shorter schedules and energy savings.

Latest Trends in Environmental Assessment Response

For large-scale civil and construction projects, environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an unavoidable and important process. An environmental impact assessment involves conducting preliminary surveys, predictions, and evaluations of the project’s effects on the natural environment and local communities before starting work, and considering necessary environmental protection measures. In Japan, the Environmental Impact Assessment Law was enacted in 1997, requiring assessment for development projects above certain scales. Prefectures and ordinance-designated cities also have their own EIA ordinances, which sometimes require environmental consideration for medium-scale projects not covered by national law. Here we outline the EIA system and discuss recent technological efforts to streamline it, advanced environmental assessment methods linking LCA and BIM, construction-phase feedback examples, and pioneering cases at the municipal level.

Background and Purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment System

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a series of procedures in which project proponents themselves investigate, predict, and evaluate environmental impacts at the planning stage, disclose the results to authorities and local residents to solicit opinions, and reflect them in planning. The purpose is to prevent environmental damage from development in advance and minimize impacts as much as possible. Projects subject to assessment are defined in law as Category I projects (mandatory) and Category II projects (subject to individual determination by scale, etc.), and include large-scale road construction, dam and power plant construction, large-scale land development and new town projects, among others.

The typical flow of EIA procedures is as follows:

• Preparation and submission of a “Plan Consideration Document”: At the project conception stage, prepare a document summarizing environmental considerations and conduct public review and solicitation of comments (this is voluntary under national law, but many local ordinances require it).

• Preparation and submission of a “Scoping Document”: Prepare a document that defines the items to be surveyed and the survey methods, and determine the survey plan after hearing opinions from authorities, experts, and residents.

• Conduct on-site surveys and predictive evaluation: Based on the scoping document, conduct field surveys such as biological surveys and measurements of air, water quality, noise and vibration, and predict and evaluate future environmental impacts of the project.

• Preparation and submission of a “Draft Environmental Impact Statement”: Compile survey results, predictive evaluations, and planned environmental protection measures into a draft report, subject it to public review, solicitation of comments, and review by an examination committee.

• Submission of the “Environmental Impact Statement”: Based on comments and review results, make necessary revisions and compile the final report—the environmental impact statement—and submit it to the authorities. The EIA process is completed when the statement is certified or filed.

Thus, environmental assessment can be a long-term, large-scale process of surveys and coordination that can take years from planning to project commencement. For example, in large dam construction cases, field surveys to study ecosystem impacts across seasons may require more than one year of on-site surveys, and completing all procedures from plan announcement can take three to four years. Even so, spending that time and expense to accurately grasp and prepare measures for environmental impacts beforehand is far better than responding to problems after the project begins. EIA is both a legal obligation for project proponents and a form of risk management for sustainable development.

Technologies to Streamline Environmental Assessment Work

Because EIA involves extensive surveys and analyses by environmental specialists, it is time-consuming and costly. Recently, various technological approaches have been explored to make this process more efficient and less labor-intensive.

One approach is the use of remote sensing technologies. Attempts are being made to replace or supplement traditional on-site natural environment surveys—usually conducted by personnel—with drone aerial photography and satellite image analysis. For example, aerial surveys can map vegetation distribution, and infrared imagery can estimate animal habitats, allowing field survey scopes to be narrowed. In addition, advances in sensor technology have enabled automatic continuous measurement of noise, air quality, and water quality over set periods, making data collection more widespread. This automates tasks that previously required daily sampling and analysis by staff and enables efficient acquisition of higher-precision long-term data.

Another focus is the use of simulation software and AI. Predicting future impacts of a project is a critical EIA step, and practical simulation software for noise propagation, atmospheric pollutant dispersion, and water environment impacts are available. Using such tools enables more precise predictive evaluations in relatively short timeframes. Furthermore, research is advancing where AI analyzes large volumes of past environmental data and cases to assist in proposing likely impact locations and effective measures. For example, AI could analyze regional ecological survey data to pinpoint sites with high probabilities of hosting endangered species for targeted surveys, improving efficiency.

Additionally, the development of information-sharing platforms contributes to efficiency. The national Environmental Impact Assessment Information Support Network compiles and publishes nationwide EIA cases and various environmental data in a database, making past cases more accessible to project proponents and consultants. This allows avoidance of duplicated survey items and prior understanding of region-specific evaluation points. Recently, digitization and online processing of EIA procedures themselves have begun in some areas—online submission and sharing of documents, online public briefings, and web-based solicitation of comments—streamlining procedures from a DX perspective.

These technologies are expected to reduce the time and effort required for environmental assessment while maintaining or improving evaluation quality. However, because EIA must consider local environmental conditions in detail, expert human judgment remains indispensable. Technology should be a support tool, but judicious use can enable the formulation of more comprehensive environmental consideration plans in shorter timeframes.

Environmental Evaluation through Linkage with LCA and BIM Data

While EIA mainly targets impacts on surrounding environments due to project implementation, there has been growing attention to assessing and reducing environmental burdens over the project’s life cycle. In particular, the construction industry is actively using LCA (life cycle assessment) methods to quantitatively calculate CO2 emissions (carbon footprint) from material production through construction, operation, and final demolition/disposal, aiming to reduce them as much as possible.

A key to efficient and practical LCA-based environmental evaluation is linkage with digital data such as BIM/CIM. BIM is a method of designing and managing buildings and infrastructure on a 3D model; integrating environmental attribute information (CO2 emissions of each component, thermal performance, etc.) allows visualization of environmental performance from the design stage. For example, designers can instantly simulate how embodied CO2 changes when switching from reinforced concrete to timber construction.

In practice, Maeda Corporation developed an original LCA evaluation system linked to BIM data called “[CO2-Scope](https://www.maeda.co.jp/news/2024/07/05/5504.html)” to rapidly compute building carbon footprints at the design stage and support optimal material selection. Sumitomo Forestry uses the overseas tool “One Click LCA” to visualize CO2 emissions of construction materials and carbon sequestration by wood, working to make the building’s embodied carbon visible. These digital tools allow designers to quickly compare environmental performance across multiple design options, making it easier to derive an optimal plan balancing environment and cost.

Furthermore, BIM helps optimize construction planning and procurement to reduce environmental burdens. Accurate quantity takeoffs from 3D models prevent over-ordering, cutting waste in material production and transport. Sharing information on BIM among designers, contractors, and material manufacturers enables prior understanding of characteristics (strength and construction conditions) of new environmentally friendly materials, allowing realistic plans for on-site use. For instance, when using eco-cement that takes longer to set, BIM-based process simulation can schedule appropriate curing times to minimize impacts on the construction period.

In short, integrating digital technology with environmental assessment is enabling evidence-based environmentally considerate design. In EIA contexts as well, CO2 visualization and material selection from the design stage are effective measures to reduce future environmental impacts. The government is likely to strengthen requirements for life-cycle CO2 calculation and reporting in public projects, making BIM-LCA linkage for carbon-neutral response increasingly unavoidable for the industry.

Environmental Feedback and Monitoring During Construction

It is also important not to end environmental protection measures planned in the EIA on paper, but to implement them during construction and provide feedback according to conditions. For major projects, environmental management plans are often prepared and on-site environmental monitoring is required. Recently, more initiatives use ICT and IoT to both streamline and enhance the precision of such monitoring.

For example, systems exist that install environmental sensors around construction sites to automatically measure and record noise, vibration, dust concentration, and water quality (turbidity) 24/7. Previously, fixed-point observations and analyses by personnel were necessary, but real-time data acquisition allows immediate alerting when thresholds are approached, enabling rapid on-site countermeasures. In one tunnel project, noise monitors at the boundary with residential areas allowed immediate suspension or mitigation of work when nighttime levels approached limits, preventing complaints. Operating a PDCA cycle on site in this way effectively reduces environmental impacts.

Visualization and information sharing are also effective in construction-phase environmental feedback. Sensor data and巡回監視 (patrol monitoring) results can be visualized on monitors in the site office or shared with clients and supervising authorities via the cloud. Some projects publish monitoring results on a website or report them in regular briefings to local residents. This openness builds trust and facilitates smoother project progress.

What was once merely a prediction in the EIA phase should be verified with measured data during construction and used to adjust construction methods as needed; that is true environmentally conscious construction. For example, monitoring whether a turbidity treatment system for preventing water pollution functions as expected and improving the treatment process if issues arise are practical responses. Running feedback loops on site increases the effectiveness of environmental protection measures and accumulates knowledge for future similar projects.

Advanced Initiatives by Local Governments

Not only at the national level, but also at the local government level, active efforts to promote environmental responses in civil and construction works are visible. Municipalities often take the lead in implementing unique measures and produce pioneering regional examples.

For instance, Nagano Prefecture was an early adopter of CIM (Construction Information Modeling) in prefecture-commissioned works, using 3D models from the planning stage to examine earthwork balances and environmental measures. This enabled preplanning of effective reuse of excavated soil to reduce disposal amounts and the use of landscape simulations to adopt environmentally harmonious designs from the project’s outset. Tokyo Metropolis launched training programs from FY2024 on energy-saving architectural design and environmental analysis using BIM as part of its “carbon-half” target to halve greenhouse gas emissions in Tokyo by 2030. This promotes ZEB (net-zero energy building) and LCA evaluation methods among local design offices and contractors. Tokyo has also introduced progressive policies in its environmental assessment ordinance, requiring simplified EIAs for medium-scale developments not covered by national law and mandating solar PV installation on new buildings, among other measures.

Other municipalities are taking initiative as well. Yokohama City has introduced a bidding system that awards points for proposals that reduce environmental burden in public works, encouraging companies to plan CO2 reduction during construction and green procurement. Fukuoka City supports trial introduction of electric construction machinery and low-noise equipment in city projects and conducts demonstration projects to verify results. These local pioneering cases show that when municipalities proactively adopt and promote environmentally friendly construction methods, regional construction standards rise and nationwide ripple effects can be expected. The construction industry should monitor local government initiatives and collaborate to establish sustainable construction models.

Energy Saving and Environmental Impact Reduction through Introduction of Smart Surveying “LRTK”

Finally, as a concrete example of new technology improving construction efficiency, we discuss smart surveying. Surveying and as-built management tasks are frequent on construction sites and historically required specialized knowledge and time-consuming manpower. Recently, DX has advanced in this field too, producing ICT-enabled solutions that perform high-precision surveying and measurement with few personnel and in short time. One representative example is a simple surveying system that combines a smartphone with a high-precision GNSS receiver.

For example, the startup Refyxia developed a pocket-sized RTK-GNSS receiver called “LRTK,” which attaches to a smartphone or tablet. Using LRTK turns a handheld iPhone or iPad into a surveying device with centimeter-level positioning accuracy (half-inch accuracy). Tasks that previously required a total station or advanced GNSS equipment and professional surveyors—such as establishing control points and as-built measurements—can be completed by one site construction manager or worker in a short time.

Smart surveying tools like LRTK have the following features and benefits:

• High-precision positioning: The RTK (real-time kinematic) method achieves positioning accuracy on the order of several centimeters to several millimeters—i.e., positioning accuracy with errors of several centimeters (several inches) to several millimeters (a few hundredths to a few tenths of an inch). Using this for batter board layout and as-built measurement minimizes rework caused by surveying errors.

• Easy operation: Measurements can be taken with intuitive button operations on a dedicated smartphone app. They are usable without specialized knowledge, making them suitable for sites lacking experienced surveyors.

• Portability and responsiveness: The ultra-compact device weighs about 120–130 g, so workers can carry it in a pocket and measure whenever needed. The ability to “measure whenever you want” increases measurement frequency and speeds up site progress management and inspections.

• Multifunctional integration: By linking with the smartphone’s built-in camera and LiDAR scanner, the device supports point-cloud data measurement and AR (augmented reality) visualization of positions. For example, it is possible to overlay the design position on-site in AR and mark it directly, helping prevent accidental excavation of buried pipes and improving both safety and efficiency.

• Real-time data sharing: Survey data can be automatically uploaded from the smartphone to the cloud and shared immediately with office engineers and clients. Compared to traditional paper field notebooks and later report preparation, instant data verification and decision-making enable faster responses.

Introducing smart surveying directly improves construction management productivity (DX). Although it might seem unrelated to environmental measures, the labor-saving effects of streamlining surveying and inspection work contribute to overall on-site energy savings and reduced environmental impact. For example, halving the personnel and time needed for surveying reduces the operation and movement of vehicles and machines used for surveying, cutting fuel consumption. Higher precision and more frequent measurements reduce errors and rework in subsequent processes, preventing wasteful use of materials—another important environmental benefit. Real-time site status awareness allows early detection and correction of quality issues or construction mistakes, avoiding major rework (such as large-scale replacings).

As described above, smart surveying and site management digitization help not only to address labor shortages and ensure quality, but also to achieve energy-saving construction. Other DX solutions in the industry include automatic concrete curing-day management systems and AI-based drone image as-built judgments. Combining these tools can reduce administrative burdens and prevent mistakes, enabling simultaneous labor-saving and energy-saving outcomes.

Conclusion

We have reviewed the front line of decarbonization and environmental responses in the civil engineering and construction industry, looking at the latest initiatives from the perspectives of energy-saving construction and environmental assessment response. From use of energy-saving heavy equipment to ICT-driven construction efficiency, promotion of construction recycling, construction-period shortening, and advancements in environmental assessment and smart surveying, efforts are progressing from multiple angles.

Each initiative has independent benefits, but integrating them comprehensively can create synergies that accelerate decarbonization at construction sites. Going forward, regulations and societal demands toward 2050 carbon neutrality are expected to strengthen, while challenges such as labor shortages and rising costs will persist. In such a context, proactively adopting solutions that balance environmental performance and efficiency, as introduced in this article, will be indispensable for corporate sustainable growth and social responsibility. It is hoped that the industry will combine its accumulated technical capabilities with digital technology and environmental perspectives to create new value. May those at the forefront of environmental response use these insights to take steps toward a sustainable future at each of their sites.