Sustainability in Construction: How is Construction Going Green?

A few years ago it might have been fair to say that construction was not an energy-efficient part of the economy.

However, this is changing as the industry is recognising what it needs to do to become more sustainable, by placing environmental impact at the heart of large-scale infrastructure and construction projects.

Developments in waste management, green buildings, and environmentally friendly materials are leading construction towards a more sustainable future. Additionally, with the opportunity to work in more sustainable careers, there are numerous opportunities for people to get involved in the green revolution taking place in construction. 

Why is sustainability in construction important?

Sustainability in construction is important because the construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions. it is estimated that 30% of the UK’s emissions come from the built environment. Embodied emissions – by which we mean the carbon involved in building materials, their transportation and the construction process itself – makes up 7% of this figure. Construction is committed to reducing the industry’s impact on the environment, by using more sustainable building materials and technology that reduces waste, allocates resources more efficiently and optimises energy consumption. 

Challenges to sustainability in construction

Resource Management

Perhaps the biggest challenge to green construction is changing the resources that are used within the industry. Standard building materials are cheaper than sustainable or low-carbon alternatives, and there are huge vested interests to keep building the same way. Training staff to use sustainable technology, and to become skilled in different construction methods, is expensive.

Land usage

The construction industry has to adapt and build in a way that has less negative environmental impact on the land. It also needs to choose more carefully the type of land it builds on, from green belts to brownfield sites, and ensure that the land can be used in a positive way, such as contributing to the building’s energy production.

Water usage

Construction uses a significant amount of water in its processes, with much of it wasted or not used as efficiently as it could be. Run-off or waste water can escape into and contaminate water sources, if not controlled. Construction companies also need to be educated on how water can be better utilised once a building is operational. For example, rainwater can be harvested and stored as a groundwater source to be used in air conditioning and heating systems.

Energy consumption

Using renewables to generate energy for buildings may seem less and less like a new idea, but there is still some way to go before it becomes standard practice in the construction industry. Solar panels, ground source heat pumps, wind turbines, geothermal wells, water recycling – all these methods of heating and cooling buildings can make a huge difference to a building’s operational carbon emissions.

How can construction become more environmentally friendly?

Knowledge is power: Green Jobs Taskforce

In 2020 the Green Jobs Taskforce published a report, summarising what it felt was needed to support the country’s job market in its transition to net zero. It explored how government, industry and the education sector could work more closely together to meet the challenges of a low-carbon economy and make construction jobs more sustainable. Their recommendations included:

• Publishing a detailed net zero strategy and using government policy to promote green jobs and skills
• Putting green career advice in place and pathways to jobs
• Ensuring a smooth transition for workers in high-carbon sectors and retraining them in ‘greener’ occupations
• Supporting people to work in the new green economy

Sustainable Construction Companies: Greenheart

Greenheart is a Bristol-based company specialising in building low-energy, sustainable homes. Greenheart puts sustainability at the heart of everything they do. Focusing on using natural materials, sustainable heating methods and minimising waste, Greenheart is committed to spreading the word about sustainable building methods and skills.

“We’re on the cusp of huge change in the industry,” says Richard Hatfield, director and project manager with Greenheart.

“People are becoming more aware of what’s possible. They want better, greener, more sustainable buildings. We have enquiries every week to build new homes. Lots of people want good builders who can build our kind of buildings. The demand is there; we just need builders with the right skills and knowledge. That’s why we’re trying to get our knowledge out there”, says Richard.

“We also need more UK firms to make products for sustainable buildings. We’re behind other countries on this and it’s expensive to import things from abroad. There’s a gap for homegrown products – and it’s more sustainable to source locally too.”

Making a difference: Green Construction Careers

Increasingly sustainability is becoming a chief consideration for people entering the workforce for the first time, alongside salary expectations. They want to work for companies that have ethical values similar to their own. This means that people are attracted to ‘green jobs’, like environmental advisors, ecologists, wind turbine engineers, solar panel installers and environmental engineers.