Sustainability in construction

The construction industry is one of the largest users of global resources and contributors to pollution levels. In the UK alone, the built environment is responsible for 30% of the country’s carbon emissions. With net zero by 2050 the target of the Paris Agreement, there is a huge demand for construction to practice sustainable development. But what exactly is sustainable construction and what are its benefits? 

What is sustainable construction?

Sustainable construction means building with renewable and recyclable resources and materials. During construction projects, care must be taken to reduce waste and energy consumption where possible and protect the natural environment around the site. Sustainability in construction seeks to radically reduce both embodied and operational emissions. ‘Embodied emissions’ refers to the CO2 that is produced from the materials and the process of construction, and ‘operational emissions’ are the carbon emissions released as a result of the day-to-day life of the building as it fulfils its function, whether as a home, office, commercial or industrial space.

The 3 pillars of sustainability

Sustainable construction brings numerous benefits, which have been called ‘the pillars of sustainability’. The following are generally regarded to be the three most significant drivers of sustainable building activity.

Economic

Sustainable construction is sometimes criticised for using expensive materials, but data has shown that green buildings achieve a 7% increase in their value over traditional buildings. Plus savings on utility bills for tenants or households are also more likely through sustainable construction projects. 

Environmental

Using renewable energy and sustainable building materials will help in the fight against climate change. Greener buildings improve waste management and lower greenhouse gas emissions, not only by reducing or eradicating negative impacts on the environment but also by positively impacting the environment at a wider level by generating their own energy or increasing biodiversity. 

Social

The social benefits of sustainable construction are now beginning to be more widely appreciated. People who live in buildings with low carbon emissions are likely to see their health and well-being improve, and there are even benefits for the construction workers themselves and their employers. Productivity has been shown to increase during the construction of sustainable buildings because work is taking place in a more carbon-free environment.  

What are the 7 principles of sustainable construction?

Sustainable design

Sustainable design means designing buildings so that they take into account the economic, environmental and social impacts of sustainability, and expressly focus on achieving net zero targets.

Durability

Choosing materials that will last a long time makes environmental and economic sense. Durability is becoming especially important as more and more buildings are retrofitted to make them more sustainable.

Energy efficiency

Reducing energy consumption and making buildings more energy efficient is a principle that is set to become even more important in construction design. The Future Homes Standard, coming into force in 2025, means that every new house is built to produce 75% lower emissions than the current energy efficiency standards.

Waste reduction

Reducing waste does not just mean using recyclable materials and limiting the amount of waste a construction project produces; it also prioritises retrofitting over building from scratch. Demolition is usually far more wasteful than adapting a building that is still standing.

Indoor air quality

Improving the natural ventilation of buildings is an objective of sustainable design. It can be achieved through the use of solar chimneys, wind towers and ridge vents, which improve indoor air quality and airflow.

Water conservation

Water use can be minimised in construction projects through several measures, such as rainwater harvesting systems, low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation and regular maintenance and leak detection.

Sustainable building materials

We will explore sustainable building materials later in this article, but some of the more widely used examples of recycled materials being used in construction include concrete made from natural fibres and approved timber.

The challenges facing sustainable construction

• Cost – the principal challenge. It is always expensive to move an industry from one business model to another, especially one as complex as construction. Sustainable building materials are still in their infancy, and supply is limited. But as with any renewable technology, operational costs are lower and money is saved in the long term.
• Knowledge – it is important for the construction industry to upskill itself, so that architects, civil engineers, site managers and clients know the benefits of sustainable practices and materials.
• Regulations – work needs to be done to make building regulations more stringent when it comes to sustainability. Sustainability should be the standard and not the exception.

How is the construction industry becoming more sustainable?

The UK government has outlined its commitment to make the UK net zero by 2050. Construction is playing its part in this by the following initiatives:

The Government’s Sustainable Construction Strategy

The UK government’s original construction strategy, published in 2014, became Construction 2025 - providing a clear path for improving sustainability in construction. This strategy includes details on overseas trade, smart technologies, and green construction and is part of the government’s industrial strategy. As we approach 2025 itself, we will be able to see whether the aims of the strategy have been achieved.

BREEAM

BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method), is a global sustainability standard helping to improve the environmental performance of buildings. The Green Guide also assesses the environmental impact of materials during their life cycle. 

ISO14001 Certification 

ISO 14001 Environmental Management is a standard for a company’s Environmental Management Systems. It aims to reduce waste management costs and shows commitment to protecting the environment. It also helps resource efficiency, which isvery relevant in construction when it comes to materials used. Find out more here. 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  

Sustainable construction can help your organisation’s reputation by demonstrating your sense of corporate social responsibility, which is how businesses conduct themselves in order to have a positive impact on society. Ethical considerations and green alternatives to materials are both ways the construction industry can demonstrate CSR. 

Net Zero in construction

To help the construction industry contribute to the UK government’s goal of becoming net zero by 2050, several new regulations have been introduced:  

• The Future Homesand Future Buildings Standards that ensure all new domestic and commercial buildings by 2025 are ‘net-zero ready’. This means that they do not require any retrofitting measures to be zero-carbon compliant  
• Phasing out the installation of new natural gas boilers from 2035  
• Introducing a performance-based rating scheme for large non-domestic buildings  

Developments in sustainable construction materials

7% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the embodied emissions in construction – with a large proportion of this figure coming from the use of traditional building materials like brick, stone and concrete. The construction industry is increasingly using sustainable building materials that do not impact the environment, from natural and biodegradable materials like bamboo, cob and straw, to reclaimed and recycled wood, steel and plastic. Find out more about the most recent developments in sustainable construction materials.

Sustainable construction methods

As well as more sustainable materials, construction can make changes to the way it operates and undertakes its activities. Sustainable construction methods include:

• Limiting the materials used to reduce waste
• Controlling waste management, such as separating and recycling waste
• Managing construction sites to improve conservation efforts
• Conserving energy

Sustainability jobs in construction

More and more opportunities are becoming available for sustainable careers in construction, suiting a wide range of skills and interests. These are just a few:

Environmental advisor 

Environmental advisors ensure construction projects comply with environmental regulations and meet set targets. They do this a number of ways, including managing waste disposal and reducing air and water pollution. 

Environmental engineer 

Environmental engineering is all about protecting the environment by reducing waste and pollution during construction. Environmental engineers work developing renewable energy sources to make sure materials are used in the best way possible, and they design and manage pollution control technologies.

Wind turbine engineer

Wind turbine engineers research, design and oversee the build and maintenance of onshore and offshore wind farms and power plants.  

Sustainability manager

Sustainability managers oversee ensuring their company is working towards (and staying) green. They develop, implement, and monitor environmental strategies. Read more about what it's like to be a Sustainability Manager. 

Wind energy analyst

A wind energy analyst tests different types of wind technology, including wind turbines, to measure their efficiency and improve energy production. Working across national and international construction projects, wind energy analysts make practical use of their renewable energy knowledge.