6.1.2. Sustainable Construction

Sustainable construction is defined as “how the construction industry together with its product the ‘built environment’, among many sectors of the economy and human activity, can contribute to the sustainability of the earth including its human and non-human inhabitants” (Kibert, 2007).

Sustainable construction refers to an approach in the construction industry that seeks to minimize negative impacts on the environment and promote sustainability. It encompasses the entire process from material extraction to demolition of buildings. This means not just focusing on the construction itself, but also considering the broader implications for the planet and all living beings.

Think of sustainable construction like preparing a balanced meal. Just as you want to include a variety of healthy ingredients that are sourced responsibly (like organic vegetables), sustainable construction considers how materials are produced and their effects on the earth. It’s not only about what materials are used but also how they contribute to a healthier planet.

The goal of sustainable construction is to minimize the environmental impact caused by the construction industry, through the following objectives:

1. Utilise renewable and recyclable materials.
2. Decrease the embodied energy within building materials.
3. Reduce the energy consumption of the completed building.
4. Minimize on-site waste generation.
5. Safeguard natural habitats.

The objectives of sustainable construction are clear: it aims to use materials that are not just environmentally friendly but also to reduce the overall energy consumed throughout a building’s lifecycle. This includes everything from choosing materials that can be reused or recycled, to designing buildings that consume less energy once they are complete. Additionally, protecting natural ecosystems during the construction process is critical.

Consider building a treehouse for your kids. You would want to use wood that comes from sustainably managed forests (renewable), make sure it takes less energy to heat or cool (energy consumption), and ensure you don’t harm the trees around it (safeguarding habitats). This mirrors sustainable construction on a smaller, relatable scale.

Sustainable construction encompasses various activities, ranging from extracting materials and manufacturing products, to assembling them into buildings, maintaining and replacing systems, and ultimately disposing of waste, building systems, and the building structure, whilst considering the above mentioned objectives throughout the entire lifecycle of the construction process and the resulting built environment.

When we talk about sustainable construction, it's essential to consider the entire lifecycle of a building. This means that every stage is important, from the extraction of raw materials to the eventual demolition or recycling of the building at the end of its life. Each phase must be handled with sustainability in mind to minimize negative impacts.

Imagine you're not only planning a road trip but also thinking about how each stop (fueling up, eating, and resting) impacts the environment. Sustainable construction is similar, where every step—like choosing fuel-efficient cars (extracting materials) to planning where to eat healthy (energy-efficient buildings)—matters.

Additionally, the physical distribution and relationships between buildings and infrastructure play a role in determining consumption patterns, which are influenced by planning decisions. The implementation of sustainable construction is further complicated by the involvement of public policy in the form of regulations, incentives, and disincentives.

Public policies significantly shape the implementation of sustainable construction practices. They can provide financial incentives for using environmentally friendly materials or impose regulations that challenge unsustainable practices. These policies impact how buildings are distributed and how resources are consumed within an urban planning context.

Think of public policy like the rules of a game. If the rules encourage players to use less energy, they’ll strategize differently to win. Similarly, if public policy promotes green building practices, architects and builders will adapt to meet those expectations.

Overall efficiency increases, in terms of material usage, manpower and equipment utilisation, energy and other resource consumption, and its associated economic costs, by waste avoidance. Reducing disposal of waste construction and demolition materials, reduces the environmental impact caused by the extraction and consumption of virgin resources and the production of new materials is offset.

Waste avoidance is key in sustainable construction because minimizing waste reduces the demand for new materials and the energy used to create them. By ensuring that materials are used efficiently and any excess is reused or recycled, the construction process can significantly lower its ecological impact.

Consider how you might host a party—with careful planning, you can avoid food waste by preparing just the right amount of food and reusing leftovers, rather than buying too much food that ends up in the trash. This relates directly to waste avoidance in construction.

The construction industry has several activities which result in direct or indirect Greenhouse gas emissions. The buildings and construction sector were responsible for 36% of total energy consumption and 39% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions related to energy use and industrial processes. Out of these emissions, approximately 11% can be attributed to the manufacturing of building materials and products, including steel, cement, and glass, as per IEA (2018).

Understanding how construction contributes to greenhouse gas emissions is vital for developing effective strategies for reduction. By focusing on the materials used and the energy consumed during construction, projects can be planned to minimize these emissions significantly. For example, using less carbon-intensive materials can lower the overall environmental footprint.

Imagine your car exhaust is producing unnecessary pollution because of how you drive. By driving more efficiently and caring for your car, you could cut down on emissions. Similarly, in construction, choosing the right materials and methods can reduce harmful emissions significantly.

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