Construction – helping to address climate change

The construction industry is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for approximately 39% of global energy consumption and 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to a number of factors, including the energy-intensive processes used to produce building materials, the transportation of materials to and from construction sites, and the operation of buildings once completed, writes John Ridgeway.

However, the construction industry also has a significant opportunity to play a major role in addressing climate change - and is acutely aware - that by adopting sustainable building practices, the industry can reduce its environmental impact and help to mitigate the effects of carbon emissions – and it seems it is doing just that.

A recent study by the World Green Building Council found that green buildings are now saving up to 50% in energy costs and 30% in water costs, helping to deliver a positive impact on the environment – and there are plenty of other examples to show that construction is doing its bit to reduce its carbon footprint.

The use of energy-efficient materials and appliances has significantly reduced the energy consumption of buildings. For example, LED lighting uses up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent lighting.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are helping to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation. Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular on both residential and commercial buildings.

Water conservation measures, such as rainwater harvesting and water-efficient fixtures are changing the environmental impact of construction. Dual-flush toilets, for example, can save up to 60% of water compared to traditional toilets. Construction waste management practices, such as recycling and reuse are also helping to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills.

Buildings are now being designed to be more energy efficient by using passive design strategies, such as natural ventilation and daylighting, as well as active design strategies, such as efficient HVAC systems and high-performance insulation.

And it gets better - start looking worldwide and we can some exceptional examples of where the construction industry, is making a real difference.

Take the Bullitt Centre in Seattle, Washington (pictured), a six-story office block that is considered to be one of the most sustainable buildings in the world. It was designed to be net-zero energy, meaning that it produces as much energy as it consumes. The Bullitt Centre also features a number of other sustainable features, such as a rainwater harvesting system, a green roof, and a composting toilet system.

MASdar City Eco-City, a planned city in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is designed to be a sustainable urban development. The city is powered by renewable energy sources, and it features a number of other sustainable features, such as a zero-waste system and a water-efficient irrigation system.

In Australia, One Angel Place, a 48-story office tower in Sydney, has been designed to be carbon neutral. The building features a number of sustainable features, such as a double-skin façade that helps to reduce heat gain, a rainwater harvesting system, and a solar panel array.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that construction companies are making a difference in addressing climate change, and as the technology for sustainable construction continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and sustainable projects in the years to come.

Worldwide, major construction companies are now committed to reducing their environmental impact and are working to develop and implement sustainable building practices. Their efforts are helping to make the construction industry more sustainable and are contributing to the fight against climate change, but there is still a long way to go.

In 2015, nearly 200 countries adopted the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. The agreement includes a specific goal for the construction industry to achieve "net-zero emissions" by the second half of the century.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015, also set a global agenda for sustainable development, including a target to "make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable" (SDG 11). This target included reducing the negative environmental impact of cities, including their carbon footprint.

Another organisation, The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GABC) currently supports an initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), to transform the construction industry towards a net-zero emissions future. The GABC has set a target to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and construction by 40% by 2040 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

In addition to these international targets, many countries and cities have also set their own ambitious goals for reducing the construction industry's carbon footprint. For example, the European Union has set a target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and the United Kingdom has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 68% by 2030 and 78% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.

These targets are ambitious, but they are achievable with concerted action from governments, businesses, and individuals. The construction industry has a long history of innovation, and there are many promising technologies and practices that can help to reduce carbon emissions. As the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, the construction industry, it seems, will play a crucial role in creating a more sustainable future – and it is certainly doing its bit.