3 Key Sustainability Goals the Construction Industry Needs to Tackle Now

• • Double our retrofitting capacity. One of the most important aspects of sustainability is the reuse of assets we already have, as well as reducing new construction. Making the effort to retrofit the existing structure instead of building completely new could go a long way toward promoting more sustainable construction. It not only helps the environment, but it also helps reduce the amount of waste and costs.
  • Cut down on energy consumption when operating. It’s also important to reduce energy consumption when you’re building. This includes adopting energy-efficient appliances that use less energy and the use of low-carbon heating and cooling. The effects of these changes could be massive.
  • Embrace low-carbon construction. Moving towards net-zero building involves reducing harmful carbon emissions. Making proactive changes on site that include the use of electric vehicles and the reduction of waste is essential to the long-term success.

11 Ways Owners Can Make Construction Projects More Sustainable

The three goals could seem overwhelming. However, there are a variety of ways that owners can contribute to achieving them.

1. Include sustainability in your RFPs. Sustainability starts with the request for proposals (RFP). Include sustainability in your RFPs and partner with architects, contractors, and vendors contractors who have a track record of incorporating sustainability into their plans. When you ask for the resilience of assets as well as sustainability, the owners can influence the outcome at the beginning of every project.

2. Implement procurement practices that create emission reductions through value chains. We require a significant number of firms working in the facilities management and construction industries to be the true climate leaders. One method to achieve this is by accelerating emissions reductions through value chains – from the planning stage to the finalization -as well as setting an example that others can follow.

3. Provide funding for sustainable practices. To bring about changes, we need to invest our money in what our priorities are. It is crucial to give money to things such as retrofitting and green construction. Earmarking funds to support sustainable practices is one of the primary reasons for the industry to move towards sustainable methods.

4. Standardsize and expand solutions across the globe. In order to make the biggest impact, solutions within the sector must be uniform and easily scalable across the world. One of the biggest issues within the industry is the fragmentation of processes, technology, practices, and more. To address this, we have to begin harmonizing and connecting solutions across a wider scale. So, how can we expand globally? It starts with the policy. Cities, countries, and corporations must adopt a strong set of policies and programs that reduce carbon emissions.

Sustainability in Construction: What Owners & Operators Can Do

5. Make sure that capital planning is aligned with sustainable construction frameworks and policies. Sustainable projects begin by ensuring that capital planning is compatible with sustainable construction guidelines and frameworks. It’s already happening in the EU, where they have released Level(s), a European framework to help professionals evaluate and monitor the sustainableness of structures. Construction is a high-cost industry. If the accessibility to capital is linked with sustainability goals, then it may make construction more sustainable across the globe.

6. Integrate lifecycle asset management into the conceptual designs. If the business is to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly, products and processes must be included when designing the prototype. Design should be based on maximizing the assets available instead of anticipating demolitions and reconstruction. We must prepare to extend the lifespan of investments and the reuse potential. The use of the life cycle assessments (LCA) during the engineering and design planning stages lets you choose materials that have the least carbon footprint. If sustainability is a part of the design and construction process, it results in lower costs for maintenance as well as more pleasant areas to live and work and also extends the life span of a structure and its reuse.

7. Utilize just-in-time procurement as well as local source of materials. Just-in-time procurement aligns raw-material purchases from suppliers with the construction schedules. It reduces the amount of unnecessary materials. Locally sourcing materials reduces transportation emissions as well. It’s the right time for other industries to get involved in the “buy local” movement.

8. Make use of BIM to manage your assets better so that they last longer. In the end, we must develop more efficiently. That means adopting technology such as 5D BIM-based construction projects and construction management to enhance efficiency overall and decrease the need for rework. Making use of BIM throughout the stages of design, build, and operation phases helps to make more informed, better decision-making. Linking the model-based data from sets of layout and appearance reduces the need for work and more precise installations. Utilizing BIM in the operational phase gives the facility management team access to all the data needed to operate efficiently machinery and equipment, thus extending the lifespan of the equipment and reducing the cost of replacement. For cooling and heating systems, an efficient operation will cut carbon emissions as well as the overall cost.

9. Use prefabricated and modular construction. Prefabricated and modular methods are directly linked to more efficient, environmentally sustainable construction. The design of modular or prefabricated components can result in faster build time, as well as less need for the need to rework and use materials. When designing modular components, you must also consider the reusability of the parts. Will they be able to adapt to future requirements and changes? Prefabrication in bulk using modular or prefab techniques, when paired with LCA and green materials, will also reduce the cost of green energy for carbon-free alternatives.

10. Reduce the amount of carbon embodied during your construction process. There are a variety of ways to reduce carbon embodied during construction, such as using more efficient electric plant equipment, decreasing the need for rework, embracing BIM and technology in general, and building with the most modular prefabricated components whenever possible.

11. Use moonshot thinking. In the realm of technology, we require “moonshot thinking,” a mentality that seeks to accomplish what others would consider to be impossible. This kind of motivational thinking allows you to find solutions instead of obstacles. This is crucial in establishing the path for our customers and partners to adopt sustainability in a manner that is compatible with the financial gain of their business. We must help customers to switch to sustainable construction.