Abstract
The built environment’s waste, energy and resource consumption underscore the need for a circular economy (CE). Yet efforts often overlook building services—MEP and HVAC systems, which offer untapped potential for circularity. While digital technologies are advancing, their role in enabling CE for building services remains underexplored. Using insights from 155 experts, this research examines the relevance of digital construction to advance circular practices in MEP and HVAC systems. The survey was analysed using mean score ranking, rank agreement analysis and Mann-Whitney U test. Among others, material passports, BIM, and digital marketplaces ranked as the three most relevant. No significant statistical difference was also observed in the overall ranking between the two expert groups. This research provides evidence-based priorities for industry experts and stakeholders
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | CIBSE Technical Symposium 2026 |
| Subtitle of host publication | Fit for 2050: Redesigning Spaces for Wellbeing, Inclusivity, and Sustainable Performance. |
| Place of Publication | London |
| Pages | 1-11 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Publication status | Published online - 26 Mar 2026 |
Funding
The authors of this paper would like to thank the European Union for funding COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and for supporting the COST Action CircularB CA21103 (https://www.circularb.eu), and the Vice Chancellor of Ulster University for funding the doctoral study. Participation in the conference was funded by the research training support grant (RTSG).
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Keywords
- Circular Economy
- Building Services
- Mechanical Electrical & Plumbing (MEP)
- Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- Digital Construction
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