Every industry, indeed every individual, is trying to do their part to become more environmentally friendly and combat the very real threat of global warming.
The construction industry is attempting to decarbonise by the year 2050 but in 2021 reached record new levels of CO2 levels, accounting for around 37 per cent of energy and process-related CO2 emissions in 2021.
So, the challenge is an immense one to overcome and the industry is shaping up to look very different to how it does today in the coming decades, with drastic changes required in order to meet net zero targets.
But what exactly does net zero mean for the construction industry?
Sustainable construction
The construction energy being a huge user of natural resources is not exactly ground-breaking news, but with these resources being finite there is naturally huge pressure to evolve and become more environmentally sustainable.
Sustainable construction looks to use renewable and recyclable materials, reduce embodies energy in building materials, lower the amount of energy being consumed by a completed project, decrease the amount of waste when on site, and protect natural habits both during and after a building is complete.
Obviously, there are challenges to be faced – not least any constraints placed by the client. Essentially, evolving towards sustainable construction will never be an overnight process but a gradual change in methods.
How supply chains might evolve
Supply chains can account for around 90 per cent of a company’s emissions but are essential in an ever-growing world of international trade.
Businesses can help to improve supply chains by liaising with clients on things such as design, manufacturing and service technology while coming up with processes that are more energy and resource-efficient to decrease emissions and waste.
In the construction industry, 3D printing could be utilised more to lower demand for brick and mortar and simultaneously increase demand for environmentally friendly resins.
Construction tools, and equipment such as work belts, and equipment are likely to be around much longer as they have a much smaller impact on the environment.
The influence of government policy
At November’s COP27 meeting, an existing pledge vowing to limit global warming to a key threshold of 1.5C degrees was maintained, and laws set by governments around the world are sure to accelerate plans towards net zero in the coming years.
A number of policy changes and laws have been implemented in the UK in the last year, including a ban on red diesel being allowed to be poured into vehicles and machines used by the construction industry.
Additionally, from the 2022-23 financial year it was made compulsory for listed firms employing more than 500 people to disclose information related to climate change in their annual reports, while companies who rake in more than £25 million a year in profits from building and selling homes have been required to pay a windfall tax from April 1.