Sustainable Construction Solutions for the Next Generation
The construction industry is known for its high carbon footprint. In fact, according to the International Energy Agency, the construction industry accounts for one-third of the world’s energy consumption and nearly 15% of direct CO2 emissions. With the dire consequences that have come to light post the 2021 United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference, the need to find and adopt sustainable construction solutions has become even more urgent, especially for large-scale civil construction works and construction in ecologically sensitive regions.
Although green buildings are increasing in popularity, sustainable construction is still in its infancy. The transition to sustainable construction has been slow with a large part of the construction industry keeping to traditional methods, adopting the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ motto. Add the misconception that sustainable construction is much more expensive than traditional construction methods, and the barriers to moving toward sustainability increase exponentially.
Despite this, there are several benefits to using sustainable construction solutions, which unsurprisingly don’t break the bank.
What is sustainable construction?
Sustainable construction is the use of construction solutions and methods that lead to a minimal impact on the environment. Some methods include:
- Using eco-friendly materials that are renewable and recyclable.
- Reducing waste on construction sites.
- Ensuring there is no, or minimal, disruption to the ecology of the site.
- Reducing the energy and fuel consumption during construction along with reduced energy consumption of the finished building.
Benefits of sustainable construction
Reduced materials, waste disposal requirements, energy, and fuel actually lead to reduced operational costs during construction. Green technologies that include energy-efficient materials and architecture also help reduce costs once the building is functional. In fact, research by the European Commission suggests that sustainable construction solutions could potentially deliver a whopping €410bn a year in savings on global energy spending.
It’s not just money you save when you decide to go green with your construction project – reducing your carbon footprint gives you oodles of bragging rights and positive PR. Using green construction methods can be good for your business as studies show that consumers are more likely to choose sustainable businesses.
North Construction has years of expertise in sustainable construction
North Construction has been championing the cause of sustainability in construction for nearly three decades. Whether your project is on a remote mountain top or in the heart of a city, our expert teams are equipped with the knowledge, and passion, to find the most cost-effective and safest solutions for both you and the environment. Specializing in difficult terrain, our team has completed projects in highly-sensitive marine habitats, managed large-scale construction in eco-sensitive temperate rainforest areas, and worked on design assistance, consulting, and construction for green energy projects for the Independent Power Producers (IPP) in BC.
We do this by continually expanding our equipment, and expertise, to minimise the impact of our projects. All of North Construction’s equipment is specked with the latest in low emission technology (soon to be supplemented with hybrid and pure electric power). In addition, our entire fleet also operates exclusively on Biodegradable Hydraulic Oil (HEES) with the goal of minimal, or zero impact, on the environment.
Unafraid to explore the cutting edge of construction solutions, we use drone technology to provide services that include modelling, quantity take-offs, design assistance, progress tracking, aerial imaging, and environmental monitoring to reduce the time, budget, and impact of your project.
You can browse the services we have to offer here or get in touch with us to discuss your project and needs.