Greenhouse or green wash: can construction really establish its green credentials?

Posted by Knight Frank Newcastle on 11th November 2019 -

The climate crisis continues to present challenges across the real estate and construction industries. With the demand for more sustainable buildings increasing, can the construction industry rise to the challenge?

As pressure mounts to deal with the climate crisis, the construction industry is faced with the challenge of making buildings more environmentally-friendly.

Despite Britain becoming the world’s first major economy to pass laws to bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, the UK business lobby group CBI, which represents 190,000 firms, told the BBC earlier this year that the government should do more to encourage companies to invest in sustainability. According to the UK Green Building Council, around 10% of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions are directly associated with construction activities. The number rises to 45% when taking into account the whole of the built environment sector. 

In what ways can the construction industry deal with the challenge?

There is a need to make buildings more energy-efficient – or, in other words, more green, however businesses should also review their operations and consider how their processes can be improved too.

Since 1st April 2018, the minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES) states that any commercial property that has an EPC rating of E cannot be rented out new tenants, and are subject to a penalty charge largely based on the relatable value of the commercial property. A maximum fine for non-compliance is £150,000 per asset.

The UK Green Building Council is dedicated to making sustainability in construction second nature through their ten-year plan ‘Ambitions for 2027’. It aims to raise awareness of sustainability amongst all built environment professionals, deepen technology knowledge and application of green building practices and to make sustainability central to leadership. 

How can green construction technology help?​​​​​​​

Green technology makes buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable by playing a part in every phrase of the development from choosing the site, the construction materials and choosing the right systems to run and maintain operations. 

For example, using wood instead of steel and concrete to create buildings can have a significant impact. Wooden buildings are far more sustainable as they have a lower embodied energy when compared to buildings of steel and concrete. 

Traditional insulation can also be replaced with recyclable materials such as newspaper and fabric, and the installation of smart appliances will help reduce energy costs and create zero energy homes and commercial buildings. Also, traditional construction techniques can lead to a build-up of toxic chemicals and waste products, which can take hundreds of years to degrade. However, biodegradable materials will break down easily without releasing such toxins.

Switching from standard roofs to cool roofs can also benefit the environment. Cool roofs aim to reflect heat and sunlight away from the property to keep a standard room temperature. Standard roofs can reach temperatures of up to 150F, but cool roofing keeps temperatures at 50F, reducing the need for air conditioning. The use of solar panels can also heat homes and buildings. 

The use of motion detectors and other sensors to monitor the occupancy of a building can also help reduce energy waste. If an area within the building becomes unoccupied, green technology will automatically shut off lights and adjust other systems such as heating. Not only will it help reduce the carbon footprint of a building, but it could help business owners save approximately 30% on their energy bills.

“There are other changes which are inevitable regarding the sustainability of buildings,” says Richard Whitfield, Head of Building Consultancy at Knight Frank Scotland. “By 2025, gas heating will be banned in new homes meaning there will need to be a shift to air source or ground source heat pumps. These absorb heat either from the air outside or underground, reducing carbon emissions. Solar is already used widely but, as with electric vehicle charging, storage is crucial.”

There is capacity for the construction industry to be more sustainable, but it needs everyone at every stage of the development process to make a significant difference.

“The construction industry can and will be much greener as technology advances, but the drive for change needs to come from the top,” continues Whitfield. “Clients pushing for a green ethos to be part of any building project will make it more likely that sustainable practice is embraced by everyone, from the design team to the end user. 

“This shift will also be reliant on the market placing more value on properties that run in an environmentally friendly way. Increasing building efficiency brought about by lower emissions will add value to any building project.”

For more information contact our Project & Building Consultancy Team.