The first public report of the SIRCULAR project, led by CARTIF, has been officially submitted in December 2024. It’s currently under review by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), and we’ll share the full document once it is approved. Until then, here’s a sneak preview of what’s inside!

The transition to circular and recyclable construction is essential for meeting Europe’s sustainability goals. SIRCULAR’s first public report lays the groundwork to get there. Led by CARTIF, the report analyses 12 existing frameworks to define a clear set of indicators and methods to guide the project’s next steps towards a decarbonised built environment.

What circularity means for buildings

Circular design in the built environment can extend building lifespans, reduce emissions, and minimise resource use. By reusing materials, embracing modular construction, and integrating recyclable components, the construction industry can align with both the European climate targets and public expectations for greener, more resilient cities.

SIRCULAR partners analysed 12 existing frameworks for sustainable goals. Three stand out for their relevance to SIRCULAR:

  • LEVEL(s): the EU’s sustainability performance framework for buildings
  • MCI (Material Circularity Indicator): used to evaluate the circularity of a product
  • Material Passports – digital records supporting recyclability and reuse

Other useful contributors include C2C, ISO 59020, and ISO 20887, which provide relevant metrics on emissions, materials, and recyclability. Frameworks like WELL Building Standard and ISO 14001 were deprioritised due to overlap or misalignment with SIRCULAR’s scope.

SIRCULAR’s evaluation approach

The report proposes a total of 19 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), organised by priority (i.e., mandatory, recommended, optional) and by scope:

  • Solution-level – for assessing specific technologies
  • Building part – for targeted building elements
  • Whole building – for system-wide performance

Data requirements for each KPI have also been mapped. The next step: linking indicators to the demo sites monitoring, assessing feasibility, and defining calculation baselines.

We’ll share the full report once it’s approved by CINEA. Meanwhile, you can explore our four regional clusters in Estonia, Spain, Greece, and Germany.