Due to the increasing concern on environmental safety, sustainable development in the construction industry is also attracting attention. Using renewable energy and recycled construction material is currently gaining popularity among builders and contractors. However, the industry is quite slow in adopting innovative and sustainable solutions.
It is obvious that the construction industry impacts the environment throughout the whole process. From creating pollution during construction to the post-project emissions of building material, it is a major issue in today’s developing world. Therefore, it has become the primary goal for all construction industry personnel to reduce the adverse effects as much as possible. Manufacturers and contractors are aiming to achieve SDG-13 (Sustainable Development Goal 13 regards climate action and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015) from among the major 17 goals to make the construction industry more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
How Does the Construction Industry Impact the Environment?
The construction industry uses a lot of natural resources in the development process. This immense utilization of resources severely disturbs ecological sustainability. When construction equipment is operated on-site, it depends on the high usage of electricity and fossil fuel consumption. According to a report, it is estimated that the construction industry uses almost 36% of energy and emits 40% of CO2 gasses.
Mining raw materials for construction is also a major issue. This extreme mining adversely affects natural water tables. Additionally, the production of concrete releases 2.8bn tons of CO2 into the environment, which is continuously increasing and is expected to rise to 4bn tons per year. The hazardous waste generated during construction is often released into the environment without anyone keeping an eye on it, and this unethical disposal of waste into the environment creates pollution which later affects environmental health directly and indirectly.
What Are the Sustainable Solutions for the Construction Industry?
Implementing sustainable solutions in the construction industry is the biggest challenge for contractors and manufacturers although several steps can be taken to make it possible to some extent. Using a sustainable alternative to concrete with plastic and bricks with mud, wool, and other recyclable material can reduce carbon emissions by 50% and protect the environment. Furthermore, heavy construction machinery can also be manufactured in a way that it can be operated on low fuel consumption with more advanced technologies so that it produces minimal carbon emissions without causing a price burden.
Additionally, after construction, the building design may end up creating problems for the environment by negatively impacting it with heat and other material waste. These buildings must be designed and constructed in a way that can reduce heat emission and let the environment sustain naturally. The target can be achieved by using solar panels for energy consumption, insulation for heat loss prevention, and recyclable and stable material for the longer life span of the building.
How Can Construction Equipment be Sustainable?
Not only the material but the heavy machinery used for construction can also be the solution toward a sustainable approach in the construction industry. Several manufacturers of heavy equipment are making machinery to achieve this goal as soon as possible. For example, Hitachi, a well-known brand in the market, is producing a hybrid excavator which is environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, and releases minimal or no carbon emissions. As this hybrid, fuel-efficient excavator leans on low fuel consumption, it can also lower the burden of fuel cost for consumers.