As an industry, we are at a turning moment in our history where our stakes are more significant than ever. It’s not enough to perform our job to be mindful of how we impact the environment, manage each resource, and consider the legacy we leave for the future.
We’ve all heard the numbers. The construction sector can be directly responsible or indirectly for nearly 40 percent of carbon dioxide two emissions from the combustion of fuels along with 25 percent the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions all around several hundred million tonnes of waste, in addition to 14.5 percent of the particulate matter (PM) in the largest cities, as per the McKinsey report Call for Action to Seize the Decarbonization Opportunities within Construction. In addition, buildings themselves are responsible for approximately 37 percent of the world’s carbon emissions.
It is the world’s turn to observe how industries operate, and it is demanding that we develop a better and more sustainable approach. For some, the word sustainable may be a catchy term that applies to all things environmentally friendly, but it’s much more. EPA gives the most basic definition of sustainability”Sustainability” isn’t just something we do – it’s a driving force in all our activities.
In construction and engineering, sustainability has to be a definite investment in process improvement to benefit the environment, communities, and operational efficiency. In many instances, sustainability will directly affect businesses’ future success due to emerging policy and programmatic changes.
Eliminating waste, reducing emissions, and constructing systems that help support a cleaner ecosystem should be a part of our mission statement in the future. We can no longer rely on the processes we built for the current challenges. There’s too much “work” in how we operate — and there is insufficient collaboration, accuracy, or speed. The positive side is we’ve got the equipment, technology, and innovative spirit to help our industry on its sustainable journey.
The Carbon Countdown
With the construction industry’s significant contribution to carbon emissions, it’s not a surprise that people associate sustainability with carbon reduction, which is highly encouraged by the current and upcoming federal and state regulations as well as the funding of infrastructure and buildings.
In November 2022 in 2022, in November 2022, the Biden Administration proposed the Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Proposed Rule, which requires federal contractors of significant size to make public their emissions of greenhouse gases as well as climate-related financial risks and also set scientifically-based emission reduction goals. Additionally, Executive Order 14057 stipulates that every new construction and significant modernization project greater than 25,000 square feet at the planning phase will be planned, constructed, and operated in a manner that results in net-zero in 2030 and if feasible net-zero waste and water. In addition, it says that federal contractors of all sizes will openly report their annual corporate-level GHG emissions and establish goals to reduce them, and also disclose vulnerability and climate risks which could impact their financial stability or their capacity to supply the goods and services essential to the mission of federal agencies.
Federalist regulabelieve tions will enhance the resilience of the national supply chains to rising climate-related risks, improve the competitiveness of American firms, and assist in reducing costs for contracts through greater efficiency. Remember, wherever the federal government is leading, private companies are likely to follow by applying similar rules.
Fundamental solutions like 3D modeling software, everyday data environments, and project management solutions are the essential digital structure to ensure that data connections are effective. The next step is centralized data solutions like building information modeling extended reality technology machines control systems such as managing equipment and fleets, and environmental modeling software providing additional data and analysis to make better choices. As with any process improvement, monitoring improvement is vital for progress.
For instance, consider machine control. Logic suggests that automation increases productivity, which will reduce carbon emissions. However, what amount? Heavy equipment emissions have generally been interpolated using data such as operating duration, time spent in operation, heat content, and the intensity of CO2 emissions to assess the environmental impact. It is generally believed that less time means lesser fuel consumption, but without considering idle, startup time, or engine speed when operating.
GHG accountability is among the reasons Trimble began a field study to study the advantages of reducing carbon emissions that could be realized through automated solutions, like vertical steering controls. The study of two months quantified the effect of a horizontal steering control system on the overlap of compaction and its relation to the overall emissions of CO2. Two randomly selected compactor operators conducted a manual and an assisted steering operation 20 times using the same equipment and space to complete the compactions for both the manual and assisted steering to ensure statistical relevance. The results showed an average reduction in time in the range of 29.4 percent, a median reduction in the amount of fuel consumed by 26.46 percent, and a potential carbon reduction of as high as 35.38 percent using a horizontal control for steering.
While the first phase of the Trimble study aims to measure the efficiency and long-term viability of the horizontal control of steering to soil compaction, future research labs are planned to verify similar benefits to sustainability for machines controlling excavators, dozers, and motor graders.
Monitoring GHG, using greener materials (e.g., low-carbon concrete), and making more efficient assets are just a tiny portion of the sustainable pie; however, there’s more to it. Construction processes must be more efficient to reduce unnecessary pollution and waste throughout the asset’s lifespan. We are convinced that the best way to maximize the use of technology to build starts with connecting construction sustainably.
The Breakfast Analogy
Lower carbon materials, thoughtful design, and more efficient operations are essential elements to more sustainable built assets–more significant improvements will come by rethinking the entire design-to-construction process. Since much construction waste and inefficiency result from inadequate collaboration and poor communication, being “good” at construction sustainability is about breaking down barriers between siloed teams.
Patrick Thibaudeau, Principal Sustainability Officer at JLG Architects, put it perfectly from a design point of view. He explained, “Instead of designing a building like a stack of pancakes and then pouring sustainability syrup on after the fact, we’re mixing sustainability into the design ‘batter’ from the beginning on every project.”
To make the needed changes to ensure a sustainable workflow, the stakeholders must take a stand to address the inefficiencies of rework, waste, and inefficiencies beginning in the design phase and extending to operation and upkeep.
Enhancing the use of technology to improve sustainability and operational efficiency begins with connecting construction. It requires a change in perspective, which incorporates sustainability into everyday processes and more significant initiatives to reach long-term objectives. Technology can facilitate this shift.