Why is sustainability important to construction?
- Construction makes up approximately 6% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Climate change, resource consumption, and water management are all environmental issues that must be carefully considered when working towards sustainability in construction.
- The built environment produces 40-60% of emissions and is the largest consumer of resources
What are typical environmental issues that are faced on site?
- Dust
- Sound pollution
- Use of chemicals
- Historic use of asbestos
- Disposal of waste
- Burning petrol and diesel
- Sewage treatment
What regulations and codes of practice govern the construction industry’s approach to sustainability?
- Building regulations - conservation of fuel and power: Approved Document L
- EPCs / DECs
- Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) - No longer a legal requirement however may be required by local authority
- BREEAM and other environmental assessment methods
- National Planning Policy - framework for local authorities to take into account when setting their local plans
Is there any legislation related to sustainability?
The Climate Change Act 2008
This sets out the commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2050
Is there any planning guidance relating to sustainability?
The London Plan 2021 is regional planning guidance which references London’s aim to reduce carbon emissions by 60% by 2025. This has resulted in the expansion of the ULEZ zone for example.
Can you name some sustainability accreditations?
- BREEAM
- WELL
- NABERS
- LEED
What are some of BREEAM’s assessment categories?
- Management
- Water
- Energy
- Transport
- Health and wellbeing
- Resources
- Resilience
- Land use & ecology
- Pollution
- Materials
- Waste
- Innovation
What are the different BREEAM ratings?
Outstanding - 85%
Excellent - 70%
Very good - 55%
Good - 45%
Pass - 30%
Unclassified - <30%
What are the different types of BREEAM schemes?
- New construction
- Refurbishment and fit-out
- In-use
- Communities
What is NABERs?
NABERs is a sustainability accreditation which looks at the whole life carbon including embodied carbon and operational carbon.
The initiative seeks to provide a way of benchmarking the carbon efficiency of commercial buildings
What are the two products offered under NABERs?
- NABERS UK Design for Performance (seeks to drive energy-efficient buildings)
- NABERS UK Energy for Offices (seeks to measure how efficient existing buildings are)
How is NABERS rated?
NABERS is rated on 6-star system:
1 star - Poor
2 stars - Below average
3 stars - Average
4 stars - Good
5 stars - Excellent
6 stars - Market leading
What is WELL?
WELL is an international accreditation which looks to prioritise the health and safety of people, maximise real estate value and optimise the human and social capital performances of businesses.
What are the different WELL ratings?
- Health-safety rated
- Performance rated
- Equity rated
How does your role as a project manager impact sustainability?
We can help guide clients to a sustainable approach to the design from the early stages of the project. For example, recommending the appointment of a sustainability consultant, relevant accreditations which could be achieved, use of more sustainable materials, recycling requirements during construction
What do we mean by sustainable development?
Sustainable development is defined within the Brundtland report as:
‘Sustainable development is development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’
The three principles of sustainability are social, environmental and economic
What are the three principles of sustainability?
The three principles of sustainability are social, environmental and economic
What is meant by social sustainability?
Social sustainability is about creating places which foster wellbeing and inclusivity for the people who live and work in those areas
What is meant by environmental sustainability?
Preventing harmful and potentially irreversible impacts on the environment by the careful use of natural resource, minimising waste, and energy, protecting and enhancing the environment where possible. A measure of the carbon footprint of the building.
What is meant by economic sustainability?
Efficient use of resource, including labour and ensuring the design and construction meets the current and functional needs of the users. Does the development represent overall value for money?
How do you measure sustainability?
- Sustainability can be measured by assessing performance of Social, Environmental and Economic principles
- Can also be measured using one of the construction sustainability assessments such as BREEAM
What measures does your company take in relation to sustainability?
- Recycling points
- Lights are switched on timers or sensors
- LED lighting
- Sun reflective glass film
- Using public transport and cycle to work schemes
- Minimising travel
- Net zero carbon training
Name some of the technology available to help meet Part L of the building regulations.
- Wind turbines - renewable
- Photovoltaic cells - renewable
- Ground / Air source heat pumps
- Rainwater harvesting
- Solar thermal water heating
- Green roofs
- Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUBS)
- Increase insulation
- Solar shading
- Natural ventilation
What does Part L set standards on?
- Max carbon emission rates (Target emission rates)
- Performance of the facade (Target fabric energy efficiency)
- Max permissible U-value for facade
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Stakeholder Management22
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Client Care52
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Communication and Negotiation24
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Conflict Avoidance, Management and Dispute Resolution Procedures23
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Leading Projects, People, and Teams20
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Accounting principles and procedures11
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Project Finance31
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Development / Project Brief19
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Business Planning17
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Managing Projects14
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Contract Practice41
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Contract Administration43
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Sustainability29
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Construction Technology3
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Ethics, rules of conduct and professionalism140
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Contract Practice L23
