Chile Advances Sustainable Construction with New GEF-Funded Project
Santiago, Chile – August 12, 2025 – The Chilean Ministry of the Environment, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has officially launched an important new project designed to accelerate the transition of the construction industry towards a more circular and low-emission model. This initiative, made possible through funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), signifies a significant step forward in Chile’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.
The project, titled “Financiado por el GEF: Presentan proyecto destinado a agilizar el tránsito de la industria de la construcción hacia un modelo circular y bajo en emisiones” (Funded by GEF: Project Presented to Accelerate the Transition of the Construction Industry towards a Circular and Low-Emission Model), aims to address the substantial environmental footprint of the construction sector. Globally, the industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and waste generation. Chile, recognizing these challenges, is proactively seeking innovative solutions.
The core objective of this GEF-funded project is to foster a systemic shift within the Chilean construction industry. This will involve promoting the adoption of circular economy principles, which emphasize reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling resources throughout the lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure. Furthermore, the project will focus on driving down the carbon emissions associated with construction activities, from material production to building operations.
Key areas of focus for the project are expected to include:
- Promoting Sustainable Materials: Encouraging the use of low-carbon, recycled, and renewable materials in construction projects. This could involve supporting the development and adoption of innovative building products and technologies.
- Enhancing Waste Management and Recycling: Implementing strategies to significantly reduce construction and demolition waste, and to improve the collection, sorting, and recycling of these materials for reuse.
- Supporting Circular Design Principles: Educating and incentivizing architects, engineers, and developers to incorporate circular design strategies from the outset of projects, considering the entire lifespan of a building and its potential for deconstruction and material recovery.
- Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Providing training and resources to professionals across the construction value chain to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement circular and low-emission practices. This will also include fostering collaboration and the exchange of best practices.
- Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Contributing to the development or refinement of policies and regulations that support and encourage the adoption of sustainable construction methods.
The partnership with the Global Environment Facility underscores the international recognition of Chile’s efforts in environmental stewardship. The GEF is a multilateral environmental fund that provides funding to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects aimed at addressing critical environmental issues, including climate change and biodiversity loss.
The Ministry of the Environment expressed its enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to not only benefit the environment but also to stimulate economic growth through innovation and the creation of new green jobs within the construction sector. By embracing circularity and reducing emissions, Chile aims to build a more resilient and sustainable future, one where the built environment contributes positively to both the economy and the planet.
Further details regarding the project’s specific activities, timelines, and participating organizations are expected to be released in the coming months. The launch of this initiative marks a pivotal moment for sustainable development in Chile’s construction industry.
AI has delivered the news.
The answer to the following question is obtained from Google Gemini.
Ministerio del Medio Ambiente published ‘Financiado por el GEF: Presentan proyecto destinado a agilizar el tránsito de la industria de la construcción hacia un modelo circular y bajo en emisiones’ at 2025-08-12 16:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.