Despite changes in the White House that have targeted funds for clean energy and sustainability projects, contractors are continuing to prioritize sustainability at the request of their clients. On January 23, HITT Contracting, based in Falls Church, Virginia, broke ground on its new headquarters, which will feature a 100,000-square-foot photovoltaic solar canopy, wind turbines, and an advanced power-over-ethernet system for lighting, in addition to office furniture made from recycled materials by the company’s upcoming 3D printing farm.

This commitment to sustainability stands in stark contrast to recent efforts from the White House. Shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration, he signed a series of executive orders aimed at de-prioritizing clean energy and sustainability initiatives within federal projects. The orders, intended to roll back provisions of the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act, have created uncertainty in the industry. The executive orders favor oil and gas, as well as other energy sectors like coal and nuclear, while suspending permits for onshore and offshore renewable energy projects.

Despite these shifts in federal policy, companies like HITT Contracting are staying true to their sustainability goals. HITT’s CEO, Kim Roy, emphasized during the groundbreaking that the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship remains unchanged.

“Nothing changes course for us. We’ve always understood the importance of environmental stewardship, so no change in our focus,” Roy told Construction Dive.

Builders Stay the Course on Sustainability

HITT is not alone in its commitment to sustainability. Many contractors, particularly those focused on resilient construction, are determined to stay the course, recognizing that demand for sustainable projects is being driven not only by regulatory requirements but also by client expectations. For these builders, sustainability is not just a trend but a central part of their business model.

“A lot of private clients that have long had standing sustainability commitments in their own portfolios, and to their own stakeholders and investors, are not changing their track,” said Myrrh Caplan, vice president of sustainability for Skanska USA. “They are on path to do what they said they were going to do, and so we are as well.”

International Regulations and Long-Term Commitments

As sustainability efforts in construction are largely driven by owners and architects, this trend is expected to continue despite regulatory and political challenges. According to Louis Molinini, the Americas market lead for project and development services at JLL, the pressure to build sustainable, low-carbon office spaces will only increase in the coming years. In 2024, JLL predicted a shortage of 70% of low-carbon offices by 2030 due to employee demand for sustainable workplaces.

“From a construction trend perspective, environmental sustainability will continue to be a long-term and immediate priority in construction projects,” Molinini wrote in a recent Construction Dive article. “It’s reasonable to expect in 2025 that sustainable design and operations will continue to shape project requirements.”

Caplan of Skanska further emphasized that despite changes in regulations, the company’s focus on sustainability remains strong. “Being in 13 countries, including the U.S., doesn’t mean that changes what we have to deliver on for our own internal efforts and policies, governance, and all of that,” Caplan said. The company’s work in Europe, where sustainability standards are stricter, further reinforces its commitment to sustainability, regardless of the regulatory landscape.

Regulatory Changes and Impact on Sustainability

While the regulatory environment has evolved, sustainability remains a top priority for companies like Skanska, and these changes will not alter their sustainability goals. Despite the EU’s February 26 proposal to reduce the number of companies needing to comply with sustainability laws, Caplan assured that Skanska would continue to meet its goals and timelines.

“What we have put in place so far and our plans to do even more are important to achieving our stated commitments and goals, as well as those of our customers,” Caplan said.

In the U.S., various codes and standards also play a role in shaping the construction industry’s sustainability efforts. Tom Poeling, director of energy and sustainability for U.S. Engineering in Kansas City, highlighted the importance of meeting and exceeding climate and sustainability standards beyond the minimum requirements.

“There’s been a lot of conversation around changing the expectation, getting away from code minimum and more toward the state’s Building Performance Standard as a minimum performance requirement,” Poeling explained. The focus is shifting from merely meeting baseline codes to achieving more ambitious sustainability goals.

However, the rapidly changing codes and requirements present challenges for contractors and the design community. Poeling noted that staying current with these changes requires careful attention to both policy and technological developments.

“If you’re talking construction or you’re talking about the design community, everybody is aware of market-level changes that have been thrown at us, and [is] trying to figure out how to achieve the right result,” Poeling said.

The Path Forward: Sustainability in Construction

The construction industry is facing a complex regulatory environment, but for many builders and owners, sustainability remains a critical goal. From large contractors like HITT and Skanska to smaller firms navigating shifting codes, the demand for sustainable construction practices is not likely to wane. The focus on sustainability is driven by both external regulations and internal corporate commitments.

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that sustainability will remain a central tenet of the construction industry. Builders are adapting to these changes and finding new ways to meet their sustainability goals, while ensuring they continue to meet the needs of their clients and stakeholders.

The continued commitment to sustainable building practices, despite the regulatory pushback, signals a strong belief in the long-term value of environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, and climate-conscious construction. These companies are setting a strong example for the industry, showing that sustainability is not just a passing trend but a fundamental aspect of modern construction.

Key Takeaways:

• Builders and owners continue to prioritize sustainability, despite regulatory changes under the Trump administration.
• Sustainability is driven by both client demands and internal business models, with companies like HITT and Skanska committed to green initiatives.
• Increasing focus on exceeding code minimums and meeting ambitious sustainability standards.
• Regulatory changes and evolving sustainability laws present challenges but won’t derail the long-term commitment to sustainable construction practices.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.