SUSTAINABILITY 2022: THE YEAR OF GOING GREEN
The carbon footprint of construction sites is noticeably higher than in many other industries, but they are starting to adopt practices to lessen their impact, as Kelly Edwards finds out.
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or years, many merchants have believed that their customers in the wider construction industry have been more focussed on price, availability and profit than any element of sustainability or a ‘greener’ site. That, is changing,however. Many construction companies have taken on so-called ‘green teams’ which are brought on board to specifically look at what is being done and how it can be changed or adapted to have greener credentials.
This could be anything from recycling building materials to contractors and staff arriving onsite in ride-shares rather than all driving separately. The nature of construction means that many people are on the premises at the same time, and travelling together is an easy win.
Material requirements “Using preassembled pieces can also reduce carbon emissions by only requiring one shipment instead of many smaller deliveries of materials,” says Charlie Cichetti, CEO and co-founder of Sustainable Investment Group. Utilising recycled materials to actually construct buildings – and temporary structures needed onsite to complete the build – as well as recycling offcuts and excesses, can earn innovation points towards green building certification, such as BREEAM or City and Guilds qualifications. “Increasingly, construction companies are taking an active role in recycling and other activities that benefit
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the environment,” says Trevor Heathcote of Countrystyle Recycling. “This was once an industry that was criticised for its ecological impact, but our recent rise in construction clients shows a commitment from those across the sector to make a positive difference.”
Monitoring usage Although the Environment Bill has been delayed until ‘the next parliamentary session’, and it is unlikely to receive Royal Assent until the Autumn, this bill signals that legally-binding targets for biodiversity, air quality, waste and water are on the horizon. Construction businesses that review how they are monitoring and managing these issues now will be better prepared for any future changes in legislation. Utilities such as electricity, gas and water can be particularly wasteful on construction sites, if it isn’t carefully monitored. Logging information about fuel and gas is important as it has a larger footprint than other utilities on a jobsite. Online tools like Green Badger can be used to track water, energy, and waste across many construction sites to easily visualise places for major improvement.
Reduced emissions The Highways Agency’s carbon calculator for construction carbon emissions offers their supply chain a consistent method for recording and calculating carbon emissions. Managing carbon also helps companies manage costs as reducing one will more often than
not also reduce the other. As companies get more proficient at monitoring and reducing their carbon use some are even looking beyond net zero to consider how they can become carbon positive.
Construction also has a significant impact on air quality in metropolitan areas, and emissions control zones have been introduced. This is driving up the standards required and reducing emissions overall. Plant manufacturers have responded with significant progress in the electrification of heavy construction equipment. As well as reducing emissions, switching to electric construction equipment brings a welcome reduction in noise pollution.
Training
Training staff in sustainable building practices is an investment both in them and in enforcing green credentials in construction projects all over the country. Often, contractors are brought in for specific jobs and then move on to the next one when the build is completed.
Achieving a BREEAM rating can result in more efficient use of resources, lower maintenance and operational costs and maximise returns through market value. With climate resilience rising to the top of the business agenda, demand for BREEAM assessment is growing fast and opportunities for trained and qualified
professionals are multiplying. CHAS can help clients find contractors who are committed to high levels of sustainability through their free CHAS Client supply chain management services. They can also help contractors demonstrate their commitment to high environmental standards via assessment and accreditation schemes such as the Common Assessment Standard, which covers all areas of risk management, including sustainability. CHAS Clients receive real-time alerts about the compliance status of their supply chain partners, among other business benefits, while accredited CHAS Contractors can pre-qualify for thousands of projects with CHAS clients looking for suppliers with sustainable business practices.
Sustainability, climate change and ‘going green’ is high up on the Government agenda, and that of the general public, most of whom are now doing their bit for the planet. Homeowners and office workers often look at how energy efficient a building is before purchasing or leasing it, and it can now often make the difference between a sale or not. Construction companies are now cottoning on, and with general working practices having changed during the pandemic, 2022 is the time that they will want to see theiir merchant suppliers following suit. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2022
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