Global Scans · Construction · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: 65 per cent of global construction growth for the next decade will happen in emerging markets. Smart cities, sustainable construction, greater urbanization and pre-fabricated buildings will all play their part in future construction growth.

• [New] Robust growth opportunities in the global construction sector arise from urban densification, technological innovation, green building practices, and public-private collaboration. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Canada's nuclear investment led to the construction of the first four small modular reactors (SMRs) among the G7 countries - a historic advancement in nuclear energy that could produce enough energy to power 1.2 million Canadian homes. TechTarget
• [New] WindEurope has claimed the European Commission's planned Circular Economy Act in 2026 must introduce new waste codes, arguing wind turbine components are currently mixed with construction waste, hindering proper treatment. reNEWS - Renewable Energy News
• [New] The UK construction industry presents opportunities with its projected 2% growth by 2025 and average annual growth of 3.2% from 2026 to 2029. Yahoo Finance
• [New] In total, the defence spending bill outlines $4 billion in construction projects for the Air Force, signaling a strong commitment to modernising critical military infrastructure as the US continues to confront complex global threats. Caliber.az
• [New] Google and atomic power biz Westinghouse Electric claim that AI will speed construction and cut the cost of building the new US power plants it is planning in response to rising demands for energy to fuel AI. The Register
• [New] The number of data center projects by construction start date remained relatively stable between 2019 and 2024 before surging in 2025 and 2026 due to companies scaling up data center projects to support growing AI workloads. Verdict
• [New] XCF expects construction to begin in 2026 and operations from 2028, following an additional $300 million investment that is expected to double production capacity to ~80 million gallons per year. Processing Journal
• [New] Queensland is facing an unprecedented skills shortage as its construction pipeline surges to an estimated $77 billion by 2026-27, fuelled by Olympic infrastructure, population growth, and major housing projects. Office of Immigration Australia
• [New] Construction of the first new energetics of munitions factory will begin in 2026. GOV.UK
• [New] Canada's construction industry is ready to build, but rising costs and new procurement rules could hold back progress. Electrical Industry Newsweek
• [New] Hochul doubled down in 2023 with the All-Electric Building Act, banning natural gas hookups for new buildings starting in 2026. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] By the end of 2029, the construction sector is projected to expand from its 2024 value of GBP 161.39 billion to approximately GBP 204.12 billion. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] By the end of 2029, the construction sector is projected to expand from its 2024 value of USD 1.20 trillion to approximately USD 1.59 trillion. Yahoo Finance
• [New] By 2035, Saudi Arabia is expected to be a regional leader in nanomaterial-enabled clean technologies, contributing significantly to CNT demand growth across energy, defence, and construction applications. EIN Presswire
• [New] The construction industry, over the remainder of the forecast period, is expected to record an average annual growth of 3.2% from 2026 to 2029, supported by investments in transport, housing, and energy projects. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Over the remainder of the forecast period, the construction industry is expected to record average annual growth of 3.6% between 2026 and 2029, supported by government spending in educational facilities, infrastructure projects, and renewable energies, among other projects. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Peru's construction industry is expected to expand by 3.8% in real terms in 2025, supported by private investments in the mining sector, public spending in energy infrastructure, and elevated revenue from copper and gold exports. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Buildings generate one-third of global energy use and emissions while being increasingly impacted by climate hazards. UNEP - UN Environment Programme
• [New] By 2050, embodied carbon could comprise up to half of all lifecycle emissions in high-efficiency buildings. Verdani Partners

Last updated: 26 November 2025