Towards sustainable construction: a roadmap for aligning BES6001 with the UN SDGs

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector has grown significantly over recent decades, sparking ongoing debate about its environmental impact. While advancing sustainability is essential, the sector’s role in meeting housing needs, upgrading infrastructure and restoring biodiversity remains critical to delivering safe and resilient communities. Responsible sourcing and green supply chains are increasingly recognised as key mechanisms for delivering sustainable construction. BES6001 is a certification standard for responsible sourcing, offering a structured and transparent framework for AEC organisations producing materials. However, its potential contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains insufficiently explored. This study examines the alignment between BES6001 and the SDGs, through the development of a conceptual roadmap. The roadmap was subject to expert review and identified strongest contributions to SDG-8 and SDG-12, although findings are based on preliminary validation (n = 7). By analysing BES6001’s scoring criteria and principles, the roadmap illustrates how UK organisations may support the operationalisation of SDG commitments through BES6001 certification. Recommendations include revising BES6001 to strengthen SDG alignment and holistic review of SDG targets for developed regions where current goals may lack relevance. This combined approach aims to improve uptake and drive meaningful sustainable procurement within the AEC industry.