Construction Industry Makes Huge Impact on Global Carbon Emissions

Construction industry leaders and government organizations have made great strides to aid a more sustainable environment through green construction methods; however, according to the United Nations Environment Program, the built environment generates 40% of annual global CO2 emissions. Of those total emissions, building operations are responsible for 27% annually, while building and infrastructure materials and construction (typically referred to as embodied carbon) are responsible for an additional 13% annually. Although materials play a tremendous role in practicing sustainable building practices, the methods that are executed at the time of construction plays a big part—if not the biggest, in determining how sustainable a commercial or residential project is.

Sustainable building methods include:

• Limiting the materials used to reduce waste

• Controlling waste management, such as separating and recycling waste

• Constructing green commercial buildings and residential homes

• Adaptive reuse projects that transform old buildings

• Managing construction sites such as water conservation, recycling food containers, etc.

• Conserving energy

• Choosing sustainable and recycled materials

Many firms have enabled the suitable building methods above for two primary reasons. The first is to of course promote and take part in a cleaner Earth with a smaller carbon footprint; and the second is because there is now a recognized economic benefit of green construction. From government funded subsidies and investment programs, to private construction capabilities, there is an apparent short-term and long-term economic and social benefit to investing green construction. That’s why many construction companies and ConTech (Construction Technology firms) are investing in technological advances that reduces waste and enhance robust, lighter, and renewable building materials. This includes materials like insulated windows, doors, and solar panels.