With the global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, we need to address issues surrounding sustainable development. But, what is sustainable construction, and what steps can be taken to implement sustainable building practices?
Sustainable construction involves making buildings that have minimal impact on the environment, while still meeting the needs of the people who live in them. This includes reducing energy consumption and waste production, using renewable materials, minimizing noise pollution, and improving indoor air quality.
There are many ways to achieve sustainability within the construction process including:
The goal of sustainable construction is to make our built environment healthier, cleaner, and safer for future generations.
At the end of the day, we all need to be working to leave the planet in a better state than we found it in, and sustainable construction is just one small part of achieving that. The construction industry has a big footprint. Energy consumption alone makes up about one-third of the global total, and it continues to grow.
Construction accounted for $7 trillion worth of economic activity globally in 2017, according to the World Economic Forum, highlighting how big the industry is, and therefore how big of an impact it can have on the planet. This includes everything from residential homes to office blocks, hospitals to hotels, shopping malls to stadiums. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce our carbon footprint and save money while developing these huge projects.
Informed decisions throughout the life cycle of a building means less waste and lower costs. Using recycled or renewable raw materials reduces the need for raw resources and helps protect the natural environment. Choosing low-energy lighting systems saves electricity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Building codes require high levels of insulation to keep heat inside and cold outside. Designing spaces around people rather than machines means fewer air conditioning units and lower operating costs. All of these things add up to a better bottom line.
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Although the benefits of environmentally friendly sustainable construction methods are apparent and evident, transitioning isn’t an overnight process. It requires time and planning to implement the best practices. Training must be implemented in order to begin integrating sustainable methods into the construction industry, and that requires time and money.
Another barrier that many businesses may encounter is the actual increase in building material costs. Nevertheless, as more interest in sustainable development efforts continues to grow, more construction firms are beginning to make the transition to sustainable construction, with greener building activities rising.
Sustainable building practices are now more popular than ever before. There are many reasons why this is so. Below we have listed some of the major benefits of sustainable construction which are causing sustainable practices to be adopted by construction companies across the globe.
Green construction projects are becoming increasingly popular because they offer several benefits to both the environment and the people living. One study found that green buildings actually improve health.
In one experiment, researchers evaluated the effects of different types of offices on employee performance. They discovered that those working in green buildings scored higher on tests measuring cognitive function and decision-making skills. Employees also reported feeling happier and healthier after moving into a green building.
The study also revealed that seasonal affective disorder — otherwise known as SAD — was reduced in patients who moved into green hospitals. This could be due to the fact that natural light helps regulate circadian rhythms, which play a role in mood disorders like depression.
The reduction of construction waste is another benefit of green buildings. As it turns out, there are many ways to reduce waste during the construction process. One way is to make sure that you don’t have too much material in the first place. For example, you could choose to build with less concrete, which saves money and reduces waste.
Another way to save is to use less energy during construction. This includes things like choosing to heat or cool spaces with natural air rather than forced air systems. Also, consider how you can reuse existing structures such as windows, doors, roofs, and walls to keep costs down. There are even companies that specialize in helping builders achieve LEED certification, which helps them earn points towards sustainability goals.
The construction industry contributes about $141 billion annually to the Canadian economy, which accounts for around 7.5% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). In fact, the sector employs over 1.4 million people in Canada.
As global temperatures rise due to climate change, the number of extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes is expected to increase. These disasters could cause billions of dollars worth of damage to homes and businesses. To protect against such losses, builders must use sustainable materials and methods. Green buildings consume less energy and water, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions and saving money over the long term. They also require fewer resources to build, reducing waste and thus lowering costs.
The construction industry can make a huge difference when it comes to addressing climate change. According to the U.S.-based nonprofit organization Engineers Without Borders, construction projects around the world consume nearly half of the world’s electricity. By switching to renewable sources like solar power, wind turbines, and hydroelectric dams, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
Construction sites produce large amounts of waste material but when properly disposed of, construction debris can actually be recycled and reused. For example, concrete and asphalt pavement can be used to pave roads and parking lots and concrete foundations can be used to build homes and office buildings. Other materials like steel and wood can be turned into new products.
The three main things that construction companies must consider when it comes to sustainable construction are the materials, techniques, and equipment that they use. If they can get these three categories right, they can have a serious positive environmental impact that will encourage sustainability in construction.
Now that we’ve discussed why sustainable construction practices are so important, you’re likely wondering, what are the sustainable construction renewable materials I can use? Examples include:
Other examples of sustainable construction materials include:
There are many ways to incorporate sustainability into construction projects. In fact, there are even some specific terms used to describe different approaches. Here are a few examples:
When it comes to going green, getting rid of old technologies that are bad for the environment and using sustainable construction equipment are imperative. By using advanced technology equipment, construction companies can reduce their carbon footprint.
Having a positive impact on the environment within the construction industry goes beyond the material, techniques, and equipment that you need to make the buildings. It is not worth half committing to the cause, you need to do everything you can from start to finish to reduce your ecological footprint. At Mobile-Punch, we believe that everyone needs to do their part to help the environment. Our mobile app allows construction companies to go paperless as well as optimize their operations.
Here are key features of our time management solution:
Mobile-Punch saves thousands of companies time and money. Call us to find out how we could do the same for yours!
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