Building a Sustainable Future: An Introduction

In the world of construction, buildings have the capacity to make a major contribution to a more sustainable future for our planet. Buildings in developed countries account for more than forty percent of energy consumption over their lifetime, according to OECD estimates (incorporating raw material production, construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning).

Awareness of the disconcerting relations between human society and the natural environment was first addressed in 1987, following the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) publication of the Brundtland Report – ‘Our Common Future’ – which focussed on global sustainability. The concept of sustainability in relation to construction, a globally emerging sector, aims to meet the present day needs for housing, working environments and infrastructure without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This integrates elements of social responsibility, economic efficiency and environmental protection.

For the first time in human history, over half of the world’s population now live in urban environments and it is clear that sustainable buildings offer a vital cornerstone for securing long-term social, economic and environmental viability. Sustainable construction enables business to flourish, without adversely affecting society and the environment. Sustainability is sometimes referred to as the ‘triple bottom line’, because it encompasses a commitment to social, economic and environmental objectives:

Social sustainability - projects must adhere to the highest ethical standards and promote social inclusion at all stages of construction, from planning and building to use and servicing in order to provide buildings and spaces that are pleasant and healthy for occupiers and users.

Economic sustainability - projects must promote economic growth through more efficient use of resources, including materials, labour, energy and water. The aim is to ensure compatibility with demands across the construction’s lifespan.

Environmental sustainability - projects must seek to protect the environment through the ethical use and management of natural resources during the course of their life cycle; ensure resilience to the impact of climate change; and protect and enhance environmental performance.

Adopting a more sustainable approach to construction has the potential to offer a number of business benefits: reduce operational costs and resource consumption; manage reputation; attain cost savings through better material efficiency; attract and retain quality employees; reduce transport; and promote growth by responding to client demand for sustainability.

The development of holistic environmental assessment tools and standards - such as BREEAM, LEED, Passivhaus, Code for Sustainable Homes - support environmental performance and are beginning to allow whole-life costing to form a fundamental part of the design process. This way it becomes possible to demonstrate that higher initial costs can sometimes result in lower long-term impacts and greater long-term benefits. In order to achieve national targets for sustainability means acting locally to have an impact globally; a sustainable approach is a balanced approach. Therefore, if awareness and momentum continues within this pioneering field, sustainable construction has the potential to become an even more dominant feature of the urban landscape.

(c) Rosie Drewett