Sustainable construction
Sustainable construction
With what we know about the damage we are doing to our environment, it is no wonder building a low carbon future is becoming a bigger priority in the construction world. The most common definition of sustainability, as defined by the Brundtland Commission, is ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.
When it comes to construction, this means creating buildings that run on renewable energy. For example, buildings with passive solar orientation, natural ventilation, day-lighting, thermal mass, or night time cooling incorporated into their design.
Today, there is a significant focus on low-carbon buildings, but environmental impacts are sometimes overlooked when it comes to the full construction process.
Constructing sustainably
Everything needed to construct a building – the materials, the staff, the machinery, the IT equipment etc. – require energy for production and operation. So, no matter how low carbon the building design is, once you decide to build a new building, a significant commitment to using high amounts of energy and resources has already been made.
How sustainable is a building that was created unsustainably?
In the span of its lifetime, the building may be sustainable. But, this won’t matter if human over consumption and environmental destruction have already decimated the future in which your structure exists.
The actions we take in the present are the ones that will determine whether future generations will be able to continue to meet their needs. And, worryingly, there is a breaking point for this. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that a rise in global temperatures of over 2°C from pre-industrial levels, will lead to catastrophic and irreparable damage to our world.
Currently, we are nowhere close to meeting the first target of no more than a 1.5°C rise in temperature, even if we magically reduced the global carbon footprint to zero today. But some still have hope for the 2°C limit, so it is imperative we do everything possible to reduce our impact in the present.
What does this mean for construction?
To be sustainable it means choosing more environmentally friendly manufacturers. It means making your team more efficient, and the construction process less carbon intensive.
Environmentally friendly manufacturers are desirable but may be hard to come by considering the whole process of manufacturing is notoriously carbon intensive. However, the things we look for in greener manufacturers may not always sit well with clients. If your manufacturer sources their energy from renewable sources, uses active carbon trading, engages in carbon offsetting, or sources their primary resources locally, they may be the ideal company to help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the building process. But, they are not always the cheapest. It is likely that your clients will often be more concerned with the economic cost of building rather than the environmental costs. Increasing team efficiency and logistical decisions provides benefits for both you and clients.
Sourcing fittings and any interior structures locally are essential when it comes to keeping energy consumption and transportation costs to a minimum. It also helps to support the local economy and keep the carbon footprint of the project to a minimum. In the UK, transportation is the most significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Also, a more efficient team means you complete projects faster, and there are fewer mistakes to rectify. New technologies like cloud computing improve the efficiency of your team as there is no need to waste time travelling between the office and the site. It also allows for much easier and more effective communication. These factors help to save on costs as well as carbon.
If you’re looking to improve your team’s efficiency and get a project done fast and professionally, Inscape is here to help. We manufacture and consult for construction projects across the UK, and are with you from the beginning to the very end. We are always on hand to give you everything you need to make your project run smoothly. Get in touch today on 0845 230 8565 to take the first steps towards building a new, efficient, construction team.
