Reducing the Carbon Footprint of the Construction Industry
by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing ConsultantWith the UK being the first major economy to pass a net zero
emissions law, it has become more important than ever for sectors to be aware
of their carbon footprint. Indeed, the nation is aiming for a net zero emission
score by 2050, leaving sectors with just 30 years to adapt, change, and clean
up their emissions. In terms of business, three decades is a blink of an eye —
plus, with the rapid onset of global warming, it is crucial for greenhouse
gasses to be brought under control as soon as possible.
This is particularly important for the construction
industry. According to Construction
Climate Challenge, the construction and building industries contribute
around 38 per cent of global energy-related emissions. The report focussed on
Terri Wills, CEO of World Green Building Council, and her recommendations for
what needs to be done. She outlined three key areas of focus in order to lower
carbon emissions in the sector: leadership, procurement, and innovation.
In this article, we’ll explore the ways in which the
construction sector is currently handling its carbon emissions, as well as a
possible spotlight to future paths for reducing carbon emissions further.
Leadership
Businesses within the construction sector need to do more
than merely be compliant with eco-laws. They need to lead their respective
areas, showcasing that they are not only following laws, but actively looking
at ways of improving and showcasing new ways for businesses like themselves to
go above and beyond.
For example, structural
steelwork experts Cleveland Bridge acknowledge that their main raw
material source, steel, is an “endlessly recyclable material”, putting them in
what could be a relatively easy spot in terms of reducing waste. But the
company has not contented itself with merely embracing steel’s
highly-recyclable nature — the firm has achieved a Gold Award from the
Sustainability in Steel Construction scheme for minimising its waste beyond raw
material selection. For example, Cleveland Bridge designs are made with minimal
waste in mind, as well as having strict policies in place regarding energy and
fuel usage. Plus, with “lean manufacturing” processes taught to its employees to
ensure maximum efficiency in all of its waste and energy reduction policies,
the company stands as an example of leadership within the sector.
Procurement
Procurement requires the construction industry to look
internally at its supply chains and ask whether or not they could be made
greener. This goes hand-in-hand with the rapidly-growing embracement of the
circular economy — seeing materials reused in order to reduce the amount of
waste a business produces.
Schroders
reported on how new innovations within the circular economy model are
already starting to take hold. For example, “data passports” attached to
materials used for constructing buildings will be able to document the material
for future reuse. The hope is that these “data passports” will encourage
suppliers to create what Schroders refers to as “circular materials”. These
materials would be designed not just for their primary purpose of construction,
but with their second, third, and further lifetime use in mind.
Innovation
With the target set at 2050, there’s plenty of time for
brand new innovations to spring out from our rapidly improving scientific and
technological advances. We’re already seeing some fascinating new methods of
eco-processing emerging for the construction sector, but perhaps one of the
most curious is the use of the sector’s carbon emissions as a raw material in
and of itself.
PBC
Today reported on exciting new methods that are set to innovate the sector
with this very idea in mind. “Carbon capture” is currently an expensive
technology to use, but its potential for innovation is staggering. Not only
could it reuse the carbon emission of the construction sector to go back into
the industry to fuel its energy needs, but it could capture carbon emissions
from many other industries too for the same purpose. This innovation fits
perfectly with the idea of a circular economy, and would see many businesses
reduce their waste output by recycling not only their materials into new
building supplies, but their gas emissions into future fuel for their next
project.
Sources:
https://www.clevelandbridge.com/sustainability/
https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/energy-news/carbon-storage-construction/58952/
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Created on Jun 30th 2020 11:02. Viewed 499 times.