ESG in Construction Law: Evaluating Sustainable Practices in the UK Construction and Legal Industries

The construction industry constitutes a critical pillar of the UK economy, contributing approximately 7% of total GDP, hundreds of billions of pounds annually and providing employment to over two million professionals, roughly 9% of the work force (RICS, 2022). However, despite the UK Government (2013) calling, in its Construction 2025 report, for a more rigorous commitment to sustainability, aimed at embedding sustainable practices within the sector, the construction industry continues to fall short of societal expectations while also having faced major health and safety tragedies during the same period. Over a decade later, the urgency for transformative action has only intensified: now, there are industry and social expectations and debates regarding how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors can or should be incorporated within the industry. On the eve of 2025, this report attempts to understand and analyse the views of construction law professionals on ESG from a survey conducted by the authors with the members of the Society of Construction Law (SCL). Ultimately, it reflects the need for more ESG initiatives for construction practitioner members of the SCL and the wider society.