Construction

Sustainable construction aims at reducing the environmental impact of a building over its entire lifetime, while optimizing its economic viability and the comfort and safety of its occupants. Buildings also need to be built to adapt to the impacts of climate change.  

Why should businesses embed the principles of sustainable construction into their future development projects?

Sustainable construction can lead to a reduction in the long term running costs of the building. In most cases the initial investment in the building may be higher than a conventional building, however in the long term the whole life costs of the building could provide considerable financial benefit to the business.

Adapting your business to the effects of climate change can provide long term financial benefits and improve business resilience.   For instance ensuring your business is adequately ventilated could reduce your businesses reliance on air conditioning with increasing temperatures. 

Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management Systems are likely to be easier to achieve in a building that has been designed to be resource efficient. 

The look and design of the building in which you operate your business from creates a public perception of your business and your customers. 

The government is tightening building standards through the Building Research Establishments Environmental Assessment Method.

Construction Standards

BREEAM (the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings.  BREEAM addresses a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues and enables developers and designers to prove the environmental credentials of the building.  Building a building to BREEAM also provides market recognition for low environmental impact buildings.

Buildings should ideally be built to a BREEAM Excellent or outstanding status. For further details on BREEAM visit the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

Other sources of information

Business Link provides a detailed guide which outlines the waste responsibilities of businesses that operate a building site.  The guide offers guidance to building trades such as bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers, electricians and decorators on how to reduce their waste and save money.

Sustainable Build provide eco-friendly building tips and advise with over 110 relevant articles to download.

Strategy for Sustainable Construction.  The strategy sets out the governments commitments and targets which are relevant to the delivery of a sustainable construction industry.