The construction sector is the largest consumer of raw materials in the EU and construction and demolition activities account for about 33% of waste generated annually. This has led to important policies and initiatives at EU and Member State levels with a range of programmes, funding schemes and regulatory measures to support innovation in the sector. Although efforts towards sustainable construction have increased, these have largely covered fragmented segments of the construction industry - i.e. focusing only on energy issues or carbon emissions—thereby omitting the environmental and economic impact construction value chain. Much remains to be done for the construction sector to become more sustainable while increasing its competitiveness – particularly in terms of true life cycle costs in economic and environmental terms, improving construction management and skills, and involvement of both public and private organisations.