The UK’s ambition to reach Net Zero by 2050 hangs on a lot of things – technology, investment, policy, and most importantly, the way we design and build the homes people will live in. With the government’s target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029, the next few decades will shape the future of communities across the country.

Achieving this sustainably requires more than switching to greener heating systems or improving insulation. It calls for change across the entire construction process, from the first planning decisions to the sourcing of materials. And the earlier sustainability is considered, the more meaningful the impact can be.

This is especially true for the building envelope, where the roof quietly carries a huge amount of responsibility.When we talk about “whole-life carbon” in housebuilding, it includes everything from the emissions created when manufacturing materials to the energy used by occupants over the life of the home. And while the roof isn’t always the first thing homeowners think about, it plays a major part in both categories.

A well-designed roof contributes to energy efficiency, durability, and long-term performance, but just as important is the carbon footprint of the products used to build it. As the industry shifts towards lower-carbon construction, developers and contractors are increasingly expected to be able to trace and verify the environmental credentials of the materials they specify.

This means both roofing contractors and suppliers are being asked to look more closely at their own operations, including direct emissions during installation, to the electricity used in their facilities, to the embodied carbon in every tile, batten, and slate.

For the industry to make real progress, collaboration across the supply chain is non-negotiable. And recognising suppliers who are leading the way on sustainability is a big part of that.

We take care in selecting manufacturers who are genuinely committed to progress, not just in their products, but in the way they operate.

We’re proud to work with EDILIANS, a company focused on continuous improvement across every part of their process. From responsible clay extraction to energy efficiency in their factories and smarter logistics across Europe, they’re constantly looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact.

For roofers and developers working towards lower-carbon construction, partnering with suppliers who take this kind of long-term approach makes a meaningful difference. It gives traceability, reassurance, and a more sustainable foundation for projects that need to meet modern expectations around carbon and performance.Within the Edilians range, the Beauvoise tile is a great example of this mindset in action. Its durable clay composition and long service life help reduce maintenance and replacement cycles, while the tile’s manufacturing benefits from Edilians’ wider sustainability efforts across energy use, materials, and transport.

It’s the kind of product that doesn’t just perform well on the roof, it also aligns with the growing need for lower-impact materials in the homes we’re building today.

If you’re planning a project and want to understand which roofing products best support long-term sustainability, get in touch.