What are the inhibitors to developers in regards to ensuring environmentally sustainable construction (in the UK)?
Introduction
Sustainable development is defined by the Brundtland report as “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” and is an ideal that has been chased after by government, businesses and society alike (WCED, 1987). The framework of sustainability is supported by three interlinking “pillars” which make up day to day life; the economy, society and the environment (Giddings, et al., 2002). Sustainable development is inclusive of all industry, however the construction industry and how it impacts the environment is an aspect that outweighs most other activities and therefore gives rise to the term sustainable construction which is often synonymous with sustainable development.
Due to the expanse of the construction industry the impact on the environment is considerable and wide ranging (Ametepey & Ansah, 2015). Exploitation of the environmental for raw materials has led to the loss of natural habitats. The construction industry is responsible for the intensive use of energy in the creation of buildings and infrastructure and in the operational phase, and the production of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
The construction industry is responsible for the intensive use of energy both directly, in the creation of buildings and infrastructure, and indirectly, in the operational phase. As well as the carbon dioxide which is produced, a variety of other pollution is caused by construction processes and buildings in use, such as dust, noise and surface run off (Zolfagharian, et al., 2012).
Thoughtful planning and design can have a major impact on reducing energy use and pollution over a building’s entire lifetime. The number of more sustainable solutions is growing rapidly and many of these can provide substantial financial savings, as well as environmental benefits. This is particularly the case when they are considered at the earliest possible stage of a project and where long term benefits are fully taken into account.
As a consequence of these impacts there is a growing sense of urgency to develop and promote potential solutions to ensure environmentally sustainable construction. This is especially important for the UKs largest developers such as Berkeley Homes, Taylor Wimpy and Redrow Housing as examples. This report will identify the main inhibitors to developers under each pillar of sustainability that relates to environmental challenges and available solutions to the developer.
Environment
As we’re looking at environmentally sustainable construction it is therefore difficult to identify many inhibitors to it from an environmental aspect due to its very nature. However, as climate change becomes more and more prevalent its effects can impact the ability for sustainable construction.
Water
Water supplies are a growing cause for concern for the construction sector, which has particularly high requirements especially in the manufacture of materials such as steel and concrete. Most construction activity needlessly uses clean, drinkable water supplies and there is no reason why many processes couldn’t use water treated to less exacting standards.
The huge industrial demands on water supplies are a growing cause for concern and the construction sector has particularly high requirements, especially in the manufacture of materials such as steel and concrete. Once a building is in use, demands for mains-supplied water can be a further major drain on resources. High density office buildings in urban areas, for example, often have very high requirements.
With weather patterns becoming more unpredictable both in the UK and globally it is increasingly important to consider the conservation of clean, fresh supplies of water – not least in the design and use of buildings
Most construction activity needlessly uses clean, drinkable water supplies and there is no reason why many processes couldn’t use water treated to less exacting standards. If such high consumption continues, we will face a future where water companies won’t be able to guarantee continuity of supply through a dry summer. Measures to limit water use, such as hosepipe bans, are likely to become much more common.
Social
Sustainable communities
Some of the tower blocks which were rapidly built in the 1960s, together with poor building/estate management, are now widely seen as the root of serious social problems. Community issues have included low levels of well-being, increased depression and high levels of crime. Developments like these didn’t properly consider the requirements of the communities involved. Social aspects are often missed out of the construction industry’s considerations of sustainability despite the important effect that they have on long-term value for money and the well-being of building occupants. The social impacts of construction start early in the construction phase and continue for as long as the structures remain standing.
In December 2005, during the UK presidency of the EU, ministers from member states met in Bristol to discuss and agree the benefits of creating sustainable communities across Europe. The ‘Bristol Accord’, which they were asked to endorse, included eight characteristics of a sustainable community and a commitment to sharing good practice on case studies. The eight characteristics are as follows:
- Well Run: With effective and inclusive participation, representation and leadership.
- Well Connected: With good transport services and communication linking people to jobs, schools, health and other services.
- Well Served: With public, private, community and voluntary services that are appropriate to people’s needs and accessible to all.
- Environmentally Sensitive: Providing places for people that are considerate of the environment.
- Thriving: With a flourishing and diverse local community.
- Well designed and built: Featuring quality built and natural environment.
- Fair for everyone: Including those in other communities, now and in the future.
- Active, inclusive and safe: Fair, tolerant and cohesive with a strong local culture and other shared community activities.As you can see, the safeguarding of the environment plays a key role in the ‘Bristol Accord’
Corporate Responsibility
stakeholders’ or decision-makers’ lack of knowledge in terms of lack of awareness, understanding, appreciation and expertise lack of capacity within the construction industry, in terms of lack of interest, initiative, research and development, and cooperation and consensus
inadequacy of governing policy, in terms of lack of implementation, appropriate and well defined policy and failure of policy makers and politicians (Ang & Gray, 2006)
Planning – (Rydin, et al., 2007)
Economic
Sustainable Procurement
The procurement of goods, services and buildings has traditionally been based on two overriding considerations: price and quality. However, the choices people make about what they buy and how they buy it can have a huge impact on all aspects of sustainable development.
Sustainable procurement isn’t just a question of choosing the most environmentally friendly products. It is about achieving the best possible value for money over the long term and should include economic and social, as well as environmental, considerations.
In June 2006, the government published ‘The National Action Plan: Procuring the Future’. It aims to deliver sustainable procurement, to stimulate innovation through public procurement and to complement and build on existing activity on the subject. It clearly explains how public spending can be used to combat climate change as well as promoting social progress.
One of the key barriers to more sustainable procurement is the belief that it will always cost more. However, this is certainly not always true. In many cases costs can actually be cut by reducing waste, increasing resource efficiency and promoting innovative new products.
Conclusions
From this report it is clear that the largest inhibitor(s) to ensuring environmentally sustainable development falls under the social pillar where legislation, policy and general awareness is severely lacking. This inability and inexperience of decision and policy makers
Works Cited
Ametepey, S. O. & Ansah, S. K., 2015. Impacts of Construction Activities on the Environment: The Case of Ghana. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 5(3), pp. 18-26.
Ang, V. & Gray, J. M., 2006. Inhibitors of Ecologically Sustainable Development in the Australian Construction Industry. Sydney, Australasian Universities Building Educators Association.
Giddings, B., Hopowood, B. & O’Brien, G., 2002. ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND SOCIETY: FITTING THEM TOGETHER INTO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. Sustainable Development, Volume 10, pp. 187-196.
Rydin, Y., Amjad, U. & Whitaker, M., 2007. Environmentally Sustainable Construction: Knowledge and Learning in London Planning Departments. Planning Theory & Practice, 8(3), pp. 363-380.
WCED, 1987. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future, Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.
Zolfagharian, S. et al., 2012. Environmental Impacts Assessment on Construction Sites. Construction Research Congress 2012, pp. 1750-1759.