Decarbonising the built environment is essential for achieving global net-zero targets, as the construction, operation, and end-of-life phases of buildings account for over 35% of global energy use and approximately 40% of carbon emissions. This keynote explores the pivotal role of lifecycle engineering (LCE) in tackling these challenges by integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions across the full lifecycle of built assets. Drawing on research across hard-to-abate sectors—including cement, steel, glass, ceramics, and food and beverage manufacturing—this presentation highlights how data-driven LCE can support low-carbon material choices, optimise industrial processes, and unlock circular economy solutions such as recycling, remanufacturing, and innovative business models.

Key enabling technologies, such as phase change materials, hydrogen integration, and advanced energy storage systems, are examined for their role in enhancing resource efficiency and reducing emissions across design, construction, use, and disposal. The presentation also emphasises the role of digital tools and Industry 4.0/5.0 approaches in delivering robust lifecycle sustainability assessments (LCSA). Crucially, it underscores the need to align policy, regulation, and market incentives to scale sustainable practices. Through case studies from foundation industries and transport, the talk advocates for whole-system thinking to address the interconnected water-energy-materials nexus and progress toward meaningful sustainability in the built environment.

Professor Aoife Foley is Chair in Net Zero Infrastructure at The University of Manchester and leads the AVANTERN Group. A globally recognised expert in sustainable energy systems and infrastructure planning, she brings nearly 30 years of experience across industry and academia. Ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally (h-index 55, 14,000+ citations), she has secured over £25 million in research funding. From steered Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews from 2014 to 2023, serving as Editor-in-Chief for the last five years, guiding its impact factor from 5.9 to 16.3. She publishes in top quartile journals, including Nature, Nature Energy, and npj Urban Sustainability, and frequently features in media including BBC, RTÉ, Le Figaro, TV5 and The Times. She holds a BEng in Civil Engineering, an MSc in Transport and Environmental Engineering, and a PhD in Energy Engineering. A former MIT adjunct, she advises governments and industry on energy transitions, climate resilience, and policy. 

She has chaired or evaluated proposals for the EU, UKRI, Swiss National Science Foundation, Academy of Finland, and others. Professor Foley has won the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to recognize outstanding work in civil engineering, particularly focusing on innovation and real-world impact, as well as the Jose Maria Sarriegi Major Catastrophe Research Award from the Queen of Spain in 2019. More recently in 2022 was awarded the Chinese Academy of Sciences President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) award. Finally, she is widely recognised as a leading expert in sustainability and climate-aligned technology in energy systems, with research spanning hydrogen, energy storage, digital twins, energy justice, and equitable net-zero transitions.