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Biodiversity boost and low-impact materials make construction more sustainable

Tom Austin-Morgan

'Nature-positive solutions can build more resilient environments' (Credit: Shutterstock)
'Nature-positive solutions can build more resilient environments' (Credit: Shutterstock)

There are growing environmental concerns and the need for energy-efficient structures, especially with the UK government’s ambitious target for net-zero carbon across all industries by 2050. In response, developers and contractors in the construction industry are embracing sustainable practices to minimise their carbon footprint and create a greener built environment.

The construction industry has witnessed a surge in the adoption of stringent sustainability standards such as BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). These frameworks evaluate the environmental performance of buildings based on criteria such as energy efficiency, water conservation and use of sustainable materials. They provide a comprehensive assessment of a building’s sustainability credentials and promote the adoption of environmentally friendly practices.

Clean heating

A focus area for BRE Group, an independent, third-party certification body responsible for sustainability certification schemes such as BREEAM, is to increase government support to transition homes to clean heating. 

BRE’s research finds that, based on currently available technology, heat pumps are the best option to transition households away from fossil fuels and onto clean energy. The reduced heat demand in insulated buildings can be readily met by the steady, lower-temperature heat that heat pumps most efficiently provide.

Gillian Charlesworth, CEO of BRE Group, said: “Our latest polling shows that there is a clear knowledge gap around the benefits of heat pumps which needs to be addressed if we are to deliver meaningful, lasting change and decarbonise the UK’s inefficient buildings. Neither the government nor the public can afford to waste this opportunity.”

Biodiversity Net Gain

Green building certification programmes, such as BREEAM, provide recognition and validation for sustainable construction practices. These certifications incentivise developers to incorporate green features and achieve higher sustainability ratings. Additionally, industry initiatives such as the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) promote collaboration, research and knowledge sharing to drive sustainability across the construction sector.

The UKGBC published guidance in May to empower the built environment to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) which is said to present huge opportunities to restore nature and build more regenerative towns and cities.

To make BNG as accessible as possible to organisations across the built environment, UKGBC has published a series of user-friendly fact sheets and definitions that explain the key concepts. 

This is the first in a wider series of resources designed to help organisations meet – and, where possible, go beyond – BNG, developed with support and advice from Defra and Natural England. 

“As well as enriching the natural world on which we all depend, we know that nature-positive solutions can build more resilient environments, tackle the climate crisis and improve people’s lives, health and wellbeing,” said Hannah Giddings, senior adviser for resilience and nature at UKGBC. “These assets are an important step towards UKGBC’s mission of ensuring that BNG can be adopted by as many organisations as possible.” 

Low-impact materials

Sustainable materials also play a vital role in reducing the environmental impact of construction projects. Developers are opting for recycled, low-impact and locally sourced materials to minimise resource depletion and carbon emissions associated with transport. Moreover, sustainable construction techniques such as modular construction and timber framing are gaining traction owing to their lower environmental footprint and faster build times.

“Doing more with what we have primarily means finding new engineering solutions,” said Charlie Law, founder and managing director of Sustainable Construction Solutions. “Future innovations are likely to include the use of 3D-printed components manufactured from wood-fibre bio-composites, particularly for spare parts.” 

Cutting carbon

“This not only reduces the embodied carbon but also reduces waste production, as only the raw materials required for the part are used, and stock required to be held by merchants, reducing warehouse space and delivery miles. Such innovations must be publicised to ensure they are picked up by industry in good time before a problem with supply arises.”

The adoption of stringent sustainability standards, energy-efficient design, renewable energy solutions and sustainable materials highlights the industry’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact. With the growing emphasis on sustainable construction, the UK is moving towards a greener built environment that not only minimises carbon emissions but also improves the overall quality of life for its occupants.


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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

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