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The construction industry is responsible for the intensive use of energy both directly, in the creation of buildings and infrastructure, and indirectly, in the operational phase. As well as the carbon dioxide which is produced, a variety of other pollution is caused by construction processes and buildings in use.
Thoughtful planning and design can have a major impact on reducing energy use and pollution over a building's entire lifetime. The number of more sustainable solutions is growing rapidly and many of these can provide substantial financial savings, as well as environmental benefits. This is particularly the case when they are considered at the earliest possible stage of a project and where longterm benefits are fully taken into account.
Energy from fossil fuels, nuclear power, hydropower and wind power is used in the construction process during the manufacture of materials, construction of buildings and infrastructure and throughout the operation of buildings during their lifetime. The use of non-renewable energy contributes to climate change through the production of CO2 emissions.
The construction industry in its manufacture of materials, the construction process and the end-use of buildings produces a number of gases and other emissions, such as greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide (C02), water vapour, methane and nitrous oxide) and the pollutants produced by synthetic chemicals used in the construction process.
Achieving targets for global reductions in CO2 emissions will be a major challenge as demand for energy increases, and particularly in the light of accelerating development in countries such as China and India. The potential for using energy more efficiently should not be underestimated. We already have a huge range of options for reducing energy use in existing homes, offices and other commercial buildings.
Greenhouse gases are naturally occuring, however when produced in excessive quantities they can contribute significantly to climate change. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is currently the most significant greenhouse gas because it accounts for 60% of the 'enhanced greenhouse effect' which, in turn, is responsible for man-made global warming. The greenhouse effect means that the sun's rays are trapped and build up in the atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise - the 1990's was the warmest decade for the last millennium. Pollutants caused by synthetic chemicals can be harmful to the environment and human health.
For more detailed information, please refer to the Plain English Guide to Sustainable Construction.
Cutting down on wasted energy should always be the top priority in reducing energy use, followed by using renewable energy, then renewable energy technology. This is also the cheapest and simplest way of achieving significant efficiency improvements.
Constructing Excellence has worked with organisations such as Envirowise, Heritage Lottery Fund and DEFRA on projects to raise awareness of energy efficiency and climate change relating to the construction industry and offer guidance.
Constructing Excellence has produced various guidance documents that address energy and climate change issues:
Other organisations involved in energy efficiency in construction include: