Policy evolution and path optimization of construction and demolition waste management in China: a dual carbon-perspective

China’s construction industry faces pressure to meet dual carbon targets while handling increasing construction and demolition waste (CDW). This study analyzes 97 central government policies issued between 1995 and 2023 using text mining and bibliometric techniques. The aim is to track how policy direction, institutional roles, and key themes evolved under the dual carbon agenda. Four stages of policy evolution are identified. The period from 1995 to 2004 focused on basic exploration. From 2005 to 2012, policies expanded in scope. Between 2013 and 2020, comprehensive promotion began with broader coordination mechanisms. Since 2021, policies have explicitly incorporated carbon reduction into waste management, marking a shift to dual carbon support. Policy themes progressed from waste disposal control to carbon-focused resource efficiency. Despite policy maturity increasing, five implementation barriers remain. These include weak legal enforcement, unclear division of responsibilities, unstable incentives, a limited recycling market, and low attention to source reduction. The study proposes a transition pathway built on four pillars: strengthening legislation, clarifying governance responsibilities, establishing market-based incentives, and advancing technology innovation. The findings highlight a gap between policy design and execution and provide guidance for improving China’s CDW governance while offering a reference for other developing economies targeting low-carbon construction.