The construction industry is at the forefront of the battle against climate change, and companies like Wates Group are leading the charge toward sustainable building practices. In a recent interview, Dr. Zainab Dangana, Head of Sustainable Technology at Wates Group, shared her insights on the company’s sustainability journey, its achievements, and the road ahead.
Introducing Dr. Zainab Dangana
With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Dr. Zainab Dangana has dedicated her career to decarbonizing buildings and embedding sustainability into every stage of project development. As the leader of Wates’ Sustainable Technology Services team, she is responsible for driving innovation and scaling impactful technologies.
“At Wates, we understand the significant impact the built environment has on carbon emissions. That’s why our aim is to accelerate the transition to net zero buildings by identifying, implementing, and scaling sustainable technologies that deliver real impact.” – Dr. Zainab Dangana
How Wates is Cutting Carbon Emissions
As a key player in the UK’s construction sector, Wates Group recognizes its responsibility in reducing emissions. The company has taken a multi-pronged approach to sustainability, focusing on short, medium, and long-term solutions. A significant part of this effort is the Wates Innovation Network, which connects the company with cutting-edge technologies to drive decarbonization.
“Watching sustainable solutions move from concept to real-world applications is incredibly rewarding. We now have over 100 innovative technologies within our network, helping our customers cut carbon emissions and meet net zero goals.” – Dr. Zainab Dangana
Looking Ahead: Sustainable Technology in 2025 and Beyond
Dr. Dangana sees the future of sustainable construction as an exciting space, with rapid advancements in technology driving meaningful change. She highlights three key areas of focus:
1. Scaling Innovation at Pace
Energy management systems, advanced materials, and circular economy solutions are reaching maturity. Wates aims to scale these innovations quickly across the industry.
2. Cross-Sector Collaboration
Partnerships between construction, finance, energy, and technology sectors will be critical to accelerating sustainable solutions.
3. Data-Driven Decision Making
Real-time energy management, material tracking, and waste reduction tools are becoming essential for optimizing sustainability in projects.
“We’re entering a new era of construction—one that prioritizes sustainability, innovation, and resilience. The technologies we develop and scale today will lay the foundation for a more sustainable future.” – Dr. Zainab Dangana
Final Thoughts: A Call to Action
Dr. Dangana emphasizes that sustainability in construction is a collective effort. She encourages professionals across the industry to collaborate and take responsibility for driving change.
“Sustainability in construction is a collective challenge, and we all have a role to play—whether through innovation, investment, or behavioral change. Collaboration is the key to transitioning to a net zero, nature-positive environment.” – Dr. Zainab Dangana
With leaders like Dr. Zainab Dangana at the helm, the construction industry is making significant strides toward a greener, more sustainable future.
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