The environmental impact of the construction industry is high, but there are ways to make it more sustainable. Green buildings and sustainable construction methods are becoming more common in the UK, but we can’t stop there. We need to continue to find ways to make the construction industry more environmentally friendly if we want to have a sustainable future.
What does Sustainable Construction Mean?
Sustainable construction is the practice of creating and using structures that are environmentally friendly and resource-efficient throughout their life-cycle. This means buildings that minimize energy and water use, carbon emissions, reduce waste, and use recycled and renewable materials wherever possible.
There are many ways to make a building more sustainable, including incorporating green building technologies, using energy-efficient appliances and lighting to reduce overall energy consumption, using sustainable building materials and installing water conservation measures to name but a few.
Making your building more sustainable can have many benefits, including reducing your energy costs, improving your building’s durability and resilience, and helping to protect the environment.
Sustainable Construction Methods
That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sustainability a key consideration for construction companies.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when planning a green building or sustainable renovation project:
Use of building materials
Using building materials that are sourced from sustainable and renewable sources is one of the key ways to make construction more sustainable. In the UK, there are a number of initiatives in place to encourage the use of sustainable building materials, such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and the BREEAM standards.
The Code for Sustainable Homes is a voluntary code that sets out six levels of sustainable building, with each level representing an improvement on the previous one. The standards cover a range of factors, including water and energy efficiency, use of materials, waste management, and transport.
BREEAM is the world’s leading environmental assessment method for buildings. It covers a number of factors related to sustainability, including energy use, water efficiency, waste management, and transportation. Buildings that meet certain criteria can earn a BREEAM certification, which is a valuable marketing tool for building developers and owners.
Use of renewable energy
using renewable energy is another key way to make construction more sustainable. Renewable energy sources include solar power, wind power, hydro power, and geothermal energy.
Incorporating renewable energy into building projects can help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. It can also help to lower energy costs and improve building resilience in the face of power outages or other disruptions.
Energy efficiency
making buildings more energy efficient is another key way to make construction more sustainable. In the UK, building regulations require that all new buildings must meet certain energy efficiency standards. There are also a number of voluntary schemes, such as the Energy Performance Certificate scheme, that encourage builders to go beyond the minimum requirements.
The Energy Performance Certificate scheme is a voluntary scheme that rates the energy efficiency of buildings on a scale of A to G. Buildings that meet certain criteria can earn an EPC rating, which can be used as a marketing tool to attract buyers and tenants.
Water efficiency
water is another important resource that needs to be considered in sustainable construction projects. In the UK, building regulations require that all new buildings must meet certain water efficiency standards. There are also a number of voluntary schemes, such as the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme, that encourage builders to go beyond the minimum requirements.
The Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme is a voluntary scheme that rates the water efficiency of building fixtures and fittings on a scale of A to G. Products that meet certain criteria can earn a WELS rating, which can be used as a marketing tool to attract buyers and tenants.
Waste management
effective waste management is one of the essential sustainable construction methods. In the UK, building regulations require that all new buildings must have adequate arrangements in place for the storage and disposal of waste. There are also a number of voluntary schemes, such as the Construction Waste Management Plan, that encourage builders to go beyond the minimum requirements.
The Construction Waste Management Plan is a voluntary scheme that sets out how builders should manage construction waste onsite. The plan covers a range of factors, including waste segregation, storage, and disposal.
Transport
transport is another important consideration in sustainable construction and reducing energy consumption. In the UK, building regulations require that all new buildings must be accessible by public transport. There are also a number of voluntary schemes, such as the Travel Plan, that encourage builders to go beyond the minimum requirements.
The Travel Plan is a voluntary scheme that sets out how builders should consider transport as part of their outline for sustainable practices. The plan covers a range of factors, including public transport, cycling, and walking.
Indoor air quality and daylight
indoor air quality is an important consideration in sustainable construction. In the UK, building regulations require that all new buildings must meet certain standards for indoor air quality.
Incorporating daylight into buildings can help to improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on artificial lighting. In the UK, building regulations require that all new buildings must meet certain standards for daylight. There are also a number of voluntary schemes, such as the Passive House standard, that encourage builders to go beyond the minimum requirements.
The Passive House standard is a voluntary scheme that sets out how builders should incorporate daylight into buildings. The standard covers a range of factors, including window placement, glazing, and shading.
Acoustics
acoustics are an important consideration in sustainable construction. In the UK, building regulations require that all new buildings must meet certain standards for noise pollution.
Biomimicry
biomimicry is the study of nature’s solutions and applying them to human problems. In the context of construction, biomimicry can be used to create more sustainable construction materials and methods and their impact on the environment.
There are a number of companies that are using biomimicry to create more sustainable building materials and methods from raw materials. One example is Ecovative, which has developed a process for making insulation from mushroom roots.
Carbon footprint
reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry is another key way to make it more sustainable. In the UK, building regulations require that all new buildings must meet certain carbon emission standards. There are also a number of voluntary schemes, such as the Carbon Neutrality Commitment, that encourage the construction sector to go beyond the minimum requirements.
THe Carbon neutrality commitment is a voluntary scheme that set out how builders should reduce the carbon footprint of their sustainable construction projects. The commitment covers a range of factors, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green building materials.
Why is Sustainability Important for the Construction Industry?
The construction industry has a significant impact on the environment. Construction projects can result in the depletion of natural resources, the displacement of wildlife, and the pollution of air, water, and soil.
Sustainable construction is important because it helps to minimise the negative environmental impact of construction projects. Sustainable construction practices can help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and protect ecosystems.
What are the Benefits of Sustainability in Construction?
There are a number of benefits associated with sustainability in construction.
1. Environmental protection – as mentioned above, one of the key benefits of sustainable construction is that it helps to protect the environment. Sustainable construction practices can help to reduce the depletion of natural resources, the displacement of wildlife, and the pollution of air, water, and soil.
2. Economic benefits – sustainable construction can also have economic benefits. For example, sustainable building practices can help to reduce the cost of construction projects. In addition, sustainable buildings often have lower operating costs than traditional buildings.
3. Social benefits – sustainable construction can also have social benefits. For example, sustainable buildings can provide better indoor air quality, which can improve occupant health and productivity. In addition, sustainable buildings can provide opportunities for community involvement and education.
Making sustainability a key consideration and implementing sustainable construction encompassing renewable and recyclable resources is essential for protecting the environment and mitigating the impact of climate change. It is only the governments focus on sustainable development and that focus filtered through to the construction industry that can drive this change.