Pathways toward Net-zero emissions in the construction industry: A framework integrating circular economy and industry 4.0 innovations

The construction industry is a significant contributor to embodied and lifecycle carbon emissions, underscoring the need for innovative strategies to achieve net-zero goals. This study develops a conceptual framework that integrates circular economy (CE) principles with Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies, such as BIM, AI, IoT, blockchain, and life cycle assessment (LCA), to enhance material efficiency, reduce emissions, and optimize resource flows. By leveraging digital innovations, the framework enables emissions tracking, predictive modeling, and process optimization, establishing the basis for data-driven decarbonization pathways. A mixed-method approach, combining scientometric and critical analyses, identifies key enablers and persistent barriers, including regulatory fragmentation, financial constraints, and digital interoperability challenges. The framework addresses these through a modular structure that allows phased implementation and emphasizes data governance dimensions as prerequisites for coordinated deployment. The findings demonstrate how digital tools can strengthen performance evaluation, support circular supply chains, and inform net-zero construction strategies. However, widespread implementation remains constrained by systemic gaps. Further empirical validation is necessary to evaluate the framework's scalability and long-term effectiveness. By bridging digitalization with decarbonization, this study contributes a structured pathway toward a circular, low-carbon, and ultimately net-zero built environment.