What Is Sustainable Construction and Why Is It Important?

The construction industry, by its very nature, is a big user of natural resources. But with growing concerns over climate change and the finite nature of these resources, there is increasing pressure on construction firms to reduce their environmental impact.

Revisions to the building regulations are changing the boundaries for the minimum expected for a construction today.  Advances in technology are also offering new possibilities in terms of embodied energy use and building energy needs.  While there are challenges involved in adopting sustainable construction methods, there are also great benefits too.

The goals of sustainable construction are to reduce the industry’s impact on the environment. Sustainable construction methods include:

• Using renewable and recyclable materials
• Reducing the embodied energy in building materials
• Reducing the energy consumption of the finished building
• Reducing on-site waste
• Protecting the natural habitats during and after the construction phase.

From energy usage to emissions, the construction industry has a huge impact on the environment.

Aside from the loss of wild habitats from the development of green field sites, energy is used on site during the construction phase.  Heavy plants used in construction still lean heavily on fossil fuels. The construction industry is also responsible for the embodied energy within the building materials as well as the legacy of the buildings energy needs when in use.

Clearly, informed choices at every stage of a new build project have an environmental impact. In fact, the construction industry accounts for an incredible 36% of worldwide energy usage, and 40% of CO2 emissions.

The fabrication and shipping of materials can have a great impact on carbon emissions. Mining for raw materials can result in the pollution of water courses. The manufacture of cement currently resulted in global annual emissions of 2.8bn tonnes of CO2, should current rates of urbanisation continue this could rise to over 4bn tonnes every year.

Adopting sustainable construction methods is not an overnight process.  The clients’ attitudes and available budget will be the most significant constraint or enabling factor.  The selection of architects for the project will drive the work of all of the subsequent trades on the project.  The Continuous Professional Development required by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a driving force improving the architectural standards for the industry.  Your Architect should be familiar with the latest thinking on the following:

• Net zero operational carbon
• Net zero embodied carbon
• Sustainable water cycle
• Sustainable connectivity and transport
• Sustainable land use and biodiversity
• Good health and wellbeing
• Sustainable communities and social value
• Sustainable life cycle cost.

There will always be pressure on contractors to reduce costs where possible, but there are still concerns that sustainable construction methods will cost an organisation more.

The World Green Building Trends 2018 Smart Market Report reveals that almost 40% of UK firms reported that affordability was the greatest challenge presented by adopting sustainable construction practices. Almost 50% of firms stated that they expected green buildings to incur higher first costs.

Couple that with 34% of firms reporting that they face client demand for greener buildings, and you can see that many construction firms fear that they will be caught in the middle of demand and high costs.

But there is a light at the end of the sustainable tunnel: the perceived value of green buildings. Owners of a green building feel they are worth 7% more than a traditional one, which is likely due to the reduced operating costs that result from building energy-efficient structures. This greater perceived value can be cited in tenders and can help offset any additional costs that might result from sustainable construction.

Naturally, adopting sustainable construction methods will reduce your organisation’s impact on the environment. If you are the client for a new building, your specification will have a big impact on the specification of the project and the long-term building running costs.

The quality of the design and its sustainability can have long term reputational and corporate social responsibility benefits.  If you are a contractor involved in construction, an understanding of new materials and construction techniques may be required in order to be part of the most lucrative and innovative projects.

The truth of the matter is that green buildings do come with lower operating costs. In fact, research suggests that the use of the latest sustainable technologies in construction processes could potentially deliver a remarkable €410bn a year in savings on global energy spending.

There are also direct savings available for your organisation; by reducing waste, for instance, you will reduce the fees charged by your waste management company. By adopting more efficient vehicles, you will save on fuel costs.

And there is one more benefit that could have a huge impact on your company; sustainable construction can help your organisation’s reputation by demonstrating your sense of corporate social responsibility.

Awareness and interest in CSR, the idea that businesses should support good causes, is greater than ever. There is no question that CSR results in positive PR, but it can also influence buyer behaviour; when prices are similar, 91% of consumers are likely to switch to a different company if it’s associated with a good cause.

CSR can be shared amongst the supply chain. If your organisation only contracted suppliers that were committed to reducing their carbon footprint, for instance, this is positive PR for your organisation.

With ever-increasing sustainability expectations set by planners and the building regulations, the minimum bar is rising for everyone in the construction sector.  With an increasing amount of attention on the environmental impact of every industry, an increasing number of construction projects may need to incorporate demonstrable sustainable approaches to meet client expectations.

What do you need to do to boast of your green credentials and stand out from the crowd?  What needs to change in your organisation to achieve your sustainability goals now and into the future? 

Use ISO 14001 as the structure to manage change in your organisation and to be a part of the sustainable construction supply chain. Contact us for a quote today.