Environmental problems have been one of the most debated subjects locally, nationally and globally in recent years but the evidence is becoming increasingly the clear that global temperatures and rising the dangerous levels and this is largely being caused by human activity. In this post, we explore the unsustainable impact that construction has on the environment and climate change crisis.
Around half of all non-renewable resources that mankind consumes are utilized in construction, making it one of the least sustainable industries in the world. Every stage of the construction process features a measurable environmental impact.
Our modern civilization has spent tons of time trying to manipulate the natural environment to better suit its needs that are carried out in and on constructions of one sort or another:
We live in homes; we work and use buildings for businesses of all types.
Construction projects can take a range of different forms and vary in scale from a small residential development to a large complex industrial or commercial site.
Every period within the construction process has a measurable environmental impact: the mining operations used to source materials, the transportation of these materials, to the waste produced by the project and how it is disposed of following the completion of the project.
In the U.K., these environmental issues have not gone unnoticed, with the 2015 report of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in their second edition of the Digest of Waste and Resource Statistics shows the amount of waste produced in the UK from 2004 -2012.
The statistics show, that the construction sector produces the largest amount of waste.
What are the main environmental impacts of the construction?
According to the February 2018 reports of Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in their edition of UK Statistics on Waste that in 2016, the UK generated 222.9 million tonnes of waste an increase of 4.2% from the 214.0 million tonnes generated in 2014.
England generated 181.8 million tonnes of total waste in 2016, an increase of 3.9% from 2014 and 85% of the UK total.
The figure below shows that the Construction industry is still amongst the largest contributors for waste and was responsible for 61% of that number.
In 2010, the Construction, demolition, and excavation (CDE) were responsible for 4.8 million tonnes of the UK’s hazardous waste. In 2014, that number had gone down to 4.3 million tonnes.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Scientists believe that the Earth is rapidly getting warmer and that human activity is playing a big role in accelerating this process. Within the last hundred years, there’s strong evidence that the Earth was warmed by about 0.5 °C. This is due to an increase in greenhouse gases. The biggest way during which construction firms are doing this is by contributing to carbon dioxide emissions.
Carbon Dioxide is produced whenever fossil fuels like gas and diesel are burnt to get energy. This gas gets trapped in our atmosphere, creating a “greenhouse effect” that warms the Earth over a long period.
Construction generates over 40 million tons of carbon dioxide. This is mainly through the use of fossil-fuel-derived energy consumption within the production of materials and during the construction process.
As a result, every construction project, large or small, results in the emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other waste products that pollute the air and contribute to global climate change.
Excessive Water Usage
Water is an important resource.
Manufacturers use water in a wide variety of ways throughout their manufacturing processes to produce construction materials. The pumping, treating and heating of water which is needed in these processes all require energy. Depending on the source of energy this is likely to have associated implications for the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
It is estimated that the construction of a house uses about 6 million litres of water. This is not sustainable as the world’s population continues to grow and global wealth improves.
Aside from contributing to climate change on a global scale, individual construction projects can affect local environments and nature. A lot of water pollution on building sites; including diesel and other fossil fuels, paints, solvents, and toxic chemicals.
These chemical spills leech into the ground and may enter waterways where they contaminate water and harm aquatic life, leading to local environmental damage following a building project.
Throughout the construction cycle, large quantities of polluted water are produced.
Other environmental damage caused by construction:
Air and Water Pollution
Pollution caused during the manufacture of materials from the site, and other construction-related activities.
Each of those activities poses a risk of introducing pollutants into the environment which may affect the workers on site, the neighbourhood or the local ground, water and air quality. Acid gases and oxides of Nitrogen also are produced, contributing to acid rain and photochemical smog production.
In urban areas, housing construction increases the number of particulates in the air, which causes many respiratory problems. Some cities are covered in thick layers of dust, partly caused by construction activity.
Construction waste fills up the landfills
The waste management methods in construction have to improve a lot.
The renovation and destruction of the buildings generate great quantities of waste. Metals, concrete, glass, wood, bricks, asphalt and other construction materials are wasted.
The transportation of these wastes to incinerators and landfills used in the process also harms the environment, resulting in atmospheric and land pollution.
The impact of construction on the environment is usually negative, but it is important to understand and take initiative to decrease the environmental impacts of this human activity.
Why renovating an old/disused property is more sustainable?
Throughout the UK and many wealthy countries throughout the world, millions of properties are left vacant. These properties often fall into disrepair and are an eyesore in our local communities. By first restoring these properties we can reduce the environmental impact required to provide a high-quality family home. Renovating an old or vacant property has the following environmental benefits:
The process requires less high energy machinery so less CO2 is emitted as a result of energy consumption.
Due to the smaller scale of the projects we are able to source sustainable materials.
Less raw and manufactured materials are required than a complete new build.
Existing fixtures and fittings within the building can be retained, restored or recycled.
Water usage and wastage are reduced.
Products can be sourced locally reducing transport costs and the carbon footprint further.
Other benefits of property renovation include:
Property renovation improves the appearance of a local area by improving often unsightly buildings.
The impact of the renovation process on the local community is minimized and projects are usually lower impact than a traditional construction project.
Grants and support are often available from local councils as renovation improves the local area and provides new housing.
Conclusion:
Reducing the environmental effects of construction requires a collaborative effort from various stakeholders. Recycling and reusing building materials in other projects in the future, leading to cost savings for investors and reducing environmental impacts.
Our built environment has a huge impact on the world around us. Sustainability is a complex concept that encompasses not just energy, but in all resources needed to maintain a balance between the human and natural world.
We need to start out respecting natural systems and learning from ecological processes: Creating a far better balance between human needs and the wider environment.
As a result, Nurtured Properties is stepping up to the plate and opting to renovate rather build new.
Working together, we will move towards a more sustainable paradigm of construction projects.
About Nurtured Properties:
Nurtured Properties was established as a Property Social Enterprise in 2019. Environmental sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Ensuring all of our property investments are environmentally sustainable whilst also educating others on reducing environmental impact. By investing sustainably, we can bring properties back to life and provide affordable housing in communities where it's needed the most.
Get in touch to learn more about what we are doing at www.nurturedproperties.com
Comments