Abstract
The construction industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions and resource depletion, requiring the adoption of sustainable practices. The circular economy (CE) has emerged as a strategic approach to enhance resource efficiency and reduce waste, with digital technologies playing a critical role in facilitating this transition. This study examines digital technologies required for CE implementation to achieve carbon neutrality in the South African construction industry. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from industry professionals via surveys and analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicate that emerging technologies can promote CE and reduce carbon emissions in construction. However, Building Information Modelling and blockchain have the highest correlation with selected CE phases. The study concludes that by leveraging digital innovations, the South African construction industry can advance CE practices and progress toward carbon neutrality. The findings of the study provide a solid theoretical foundation for future work on emerging technologies and the CE nexus for the decarbonization of the construction sector. It also offers actionable insight for organizations seeking to improve the circularity of their projects through emerging technologies.