Sustainable Construction
The construction industry has a major impact on our environment and Northern Ireland cannot meet its declared environmental targets without dramatically reducing the environmental impact of buildings and infrastructure; we have to change the way we design and build both now and in the future.
Going forward, the repair and maintenance sectors are expected to grow at twice the rate of new work, with average growth rates of +2.5%. One reason for this is the increasing focus on sustainability which will inevitably lead to rising levels of retrofitting in both the housing and non-housing sectors, particularly as new and innovative methods of funding improvements, such as Green Deal, are developed.
The construction industry can lead the way to better sustainability through a combination of:
• Low carbon, energy efficient buildings – buildings account for 50% of all emissions
• Reducing, reusing, recovering and recycling waste generated in the construction process -currently only around one third is reused or recycled
• Designing buildings to encourage people to be more environmentally friendly
• Developing supply chain excellence in all areas of environmental sustainability
• Construction clients, developers and contractors working together to keep social and economic sustainability high on the built environment agenda
• Sharing best practice to improve the industry’s green credentials, competitiveness and ability to win more business
Further Sources of Information
The following websites offer additional information for construction companies in Northern Ireland in the area of Sustainable Construction.
NetRegs provides plain English guidance on environmental regulations for business in the UK and informs business what it needs to do to comply with environmental law and protect the environment. This website also offers ways to save money by using resources more efficiently.
There is a section on the website that provides specific guidance for anyone working in the construction and building trades outlining the environmental impacts of construction business, who is responsible for environmental management on sites and information for individual sectors. Businesses can also sign up for free environmental regulations updates by email.
www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/businesses/construction/default.aspx
OFMDFM oversees the implementation of the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy across Government. This Department has responsibility for the development, oversight and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Implementation Plan. As well as this the Department has responsibility for the delivery of a number of key strategic objectives directly, and policy co-ordination and mainstreaming sustainable development across Government.
www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/sustain-develop.pdf
Cut the Carbon (GB information only) website helps make small and medium sized companies aware of the changes in legislation that will impact upon the construction sector in GB. Businesses in Northern Ireland can obtain useful information and advice on how to achieve energy efficiency in business and case studies detail best practice in carbon reduction for construction companies.
http://cutcarbon.info/
Sources of training on sustainable construction, renewables etc
Resource efficiencies: win business, reduce costs: environmental sustainability seminar for the construction industry.
A FREE seminar designed to demonstrate how developing stronger green credentials can help small building firms win more business through the tendering process by improving resource efficiency and reducing both carbon emissions and costs of energy and waste management.
For a flyer,
click here
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI Training Directory provides information on a range of courses that are available throughout Northern Ireland.
www.citbcsni.org.uk/Courses
Carbon Zero NI provides technical development and innovation support to industry throughout Northern Ireland to reduce carbon emissions. The organisation delivers a wide range of training courses focused on developing a skilled workforce in renewable energy in Northern Ireland.
www.carbonzeroni.com/
Other organisations providing help and guidance
Business in the Community Arena Network website provides advice and guidance to business on the development of the following: environmental policies (waste, energy, transport, purchasing); legislation register; monitoring templates; supply chain management; general environmental signposting and grants/loans.
www.bitc.org.uk/northern_ireland/what_we_do/planet/
The Mayday Network
Linked with Business in the Community,
The Mayday Network is a collabaration of businesses taking action on climate change and resource depletion. Its aim is to mobilize business on climate change and catalyse the shift to a low carbon sustainable economy. The website provides a wide range of information and advice. As well as this it offers businesses an opportunity to calculate their impact on the environment and provides strategies for reducing this impact.
www.maydaynetwork.com
WRAP Northern Ireland aims to deliver increases in recycling and in the amount of recycled materials used in manufacturing and construction. WRAP NI helps the construction sector and its clients to use resources more efficiently. The WRAP NI website provides guidance on getting the most from the materials used in construction, reducing waste, case studies of construction companies implementing new waste reducing strategies as well as details of training and events.
www.wrapni.org.uk/
www.wrap.org.uk/construction/index.html
AggRegain is WRAPs free sustainable aggregates information service. It is designed to assist anyone interested in producing, specifying, purchasing or supplying recycled or secondary aggregates.
www.aggregain.org.uk
Action Renewables aims to facilitate, educate and advise public and private bodies on renewable energy and supports commercial renewable energy development. The organisation has developed an Action Renewables Association and undertakes energy audits for SMEs.
www.actionrenewables.org/
Energy Savings Trust offers technical advice and guidance to housing professionals including enhanced construction details, publications, case studies and interactive tools.
www.energysavingstrust.org.uk
CarbonAction2050.com is an online action plan designed to inform those working and operating in the built environment on how to reduce carbon emissions. Information is provided for building designers, building construction operations and maintenance, refurbishment and retrofit, skills and education. A carbon action matrix is available for download to identify appropriate actions, case studies outlining best practice and details of research resources are also available.
www.carbonaction2050.com/
NI BusinessInfo provides practical advice for Northern Ireland business. The current website contains a section on environment and efficiency providing details for business in Northern Ireland on environmental responsibilities, permits and licenses, waste legislation and responsibility, carbon reduction, adapting to climate change, making business more sustainable and the business case for environmental improvements. There is also a specific section for the construction and building trades. Topics covered include site waste management plans, setting up a construction materials logistics plan, recycling construction materials, using resources efficiently in construction and building trades, preventing soil damage during construction projects and reducing packaging waste on a construction site.
www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/bdotg/action/detail?site=191&r.s=sl&r.lc=en&type=RESOURCES&itemId=1080454613
The Carbon Trust is a not for profit company providing specialist support to help business and the public sector boost business returns by cutting carbon emissions, saving energy and commercializing low carbon technologies. The organisation provides a Freephone business advice line together with an online training tool, carbon saving resources and an extensive library of free publications.
www.carbontrust.co.uk
CIRIA is the construction industry research and information association. This website encourages waste reduction and improved resource productivity in the building and civil engineering sectors.
www.ciria.org
The Smart Waste website provides a range of tools and publications to help the construction industry improve environmental and business performance. Case studies can be downloaded from this website.
www.smartwaste.co.uk
The National Green Specification is an independent organisation. It is partnered with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to produce an internet-based resource for all building designers, constructors and manufacturers involved with sustainable construction.
www.greenspec.co.uk