How is the construction industry reducing its carbon footprint?

Industries worldwide are looking at ways in which they can reduce their carbon footprint, and the construction industry is no different.
The built environment currently accounts for an astounding 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions within the UK, and with the ambitious target of reaching net zero carbon by the year 2050, the industry is looking at innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Below, we will take a look at just some of the ways the construction industry is working towards achieving this…

New ways of heating
The UK Green Building Council is working towards the target of no gas boilers in operation by 2050, with all sales of gas boilers coming to an end by 2030. These boilers will ultimately be replaced by heat pump systems, a device that transfers thermal energy from outside a building using a refrigeration cycle.
Not only will this national retrofit programme reduce household energy bills by around £430 per year, but it will also create 500,00 green jobs and deliver up to £56 billion in health benefits linked to improved air quality and thermal comfort.

Sourcing local materials
Many construction companies are looking to keep it local when it comes to projects. As you would expect, when materials are sourced closer to home this means significantly less transport and less Co2 emissions as a result.
In addition to materials, many are also looking to source plant and equipment that operates on renewable energy or carbon-neutral biofuels.

Investment in upskilling construction professionals
Refreshing skills and upskilling plays a huge role in the construction industry, but this has never been more important as companies look to hire construction professionals with sought after ‘green skills’ that will enable them to work in a more sustainable way, using energy efficient machinery and materials.
These individuals represent the future of the construction industry, and therefore investment in the appropriate skills for green construction will greatly enhance the probability of the industry achieving its ambitious net zero targets.
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