Sustainable construction is a holistic approach that aims to reduce the environmental and social impact of buildings and construction in general. This approach includes aspects such as energy efficiency, the use of sustainable materials and waste management among others. It is a key aspect in the fight against climate change and the protection of the environment.
What is sustainable construction?
Sustainable construction is an approach to building design and construction that takes into account the environmental, social and economic impact of the entire life cycle of a building, from construction to demolition.
The aim of sustainable construction is reducing the negative impact on the environment and society, while promoting energy efficiency, occupant health and well-being, and long-term economic profitability.
Benefits of sustainable construction
Sustainable building brings benefits for the environment, people and the economy. Some of these benefits are:
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Energy efficiency
- Improved indoor air quality
- Water conservation
- Health and wellbeing
- Long-term financial savings
- Social responsibility and reputation
Energy efficiency in sustainable construction
Energy efficiency in sustainable construction refers to the ability of a building to use energy efficiently, i.e. by reducing the amount of energy required for its operation and maximizing the use of renewable energy sources.
It is one of the most important aspects of sustainable building, as buildings consume a large amount of energy over their lifetime.
Practices associated to energy efficiency reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs in the long term. Along with improving indoor air and occupant comfort.
Innovation in construction: materials and new technologies
Innovation in sustainable construction refers to the saving of raw materials and the use of new materials and new and advanced technologies. Some of the materials and new technologies in construction are:
- Sustainable materials: those produced sustainably with minimal environmental impact. Examples of sustainable materials are certified wood, recycled steel and glass. This results in savings of new materials.
- Building automation systems: These systems use sensors and control systems to optimize energy use. For example, motion sensors can automatically switch lights on and off when people are present.
- Computer Aided Design (CAD): Computer Aided Design allows architects and designers to create 3D digital models of buildings and simulate their energy performance before they are built.
- Monitoring tools: Digital works monitoring tools are available to detect any deviations and thus save rework. C2B Platform performs a tolerance analysis tailored to each building element, identifies potential errors and deviations before they occur, this manner it verifies the As-Built models. This technology enables instant decisions to be made and any problems that may arise to be corrected.
SDG: Sustainable Development Goal
The SDG are the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as Agenda 2030. They are a set of 17 global goals set by the United Nations in 2015 to achieve a more just, sustainable and prosperous world for all. Each of the goals has specific targets to be achieved by 2030.
Specifically, Goal 9, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”, focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation. One of the specific objectives of SDG 9 is to reduce the digital divide, to ensure equal access to information and knowledge and to promote innovation.
SaaS (Software as a Service) tools are those that offer services and software applications that run in the cloud and are accessed via the internet. Their main features are accessibility, automatic updating, scalability, integration with other applications, security and free trial.
In this case, the C2B Platform tool allows you to carry out an inspection and monitoring of a work to detect any deviation, however small, and thus avoid rework and delays in the work. In this way, you avoid wasting materials and you can be sure that you are carrying out the project initially outlined in the plans.
In conclusion, sustainable construction is key to ensuring a greener future for our planet. Through innovation in materials and technologies, energy efficiency and waste reduction, we can build healthier and more environmentally friendly buildings and communities.
Furthermore, the SDGs give us clear guidance and a framework to work together towards a more just and sustainable future. It is important that sustainable building remains a priority for businesses, governments and society at large.