A green smokescreen? What sustainability means for graduate construction jobs
Graduates in construction are in a unique position to implement sustainable strategies. In fact, your knowledge of sustainability could clinch you a job offer. ‘There is a very real chance that graduates know more than employers because so much of the theory is new,’ states Richard Gotheridge, environment advisor at Dean & Dyball (now part of Balfour Beatty). ‘They need to demonstrate in their applications that they know what sustainability really means and that they can get through “the green smokescreen”. Employers are after delivery, innovation and a good understanding of the issue.’
The green smokescreen: what is ‘sustainable development’?
The term ‘sustainable development’ was defined in ‘The Brundtland Report’ in 1987 as ‘development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ Sustainability is something of a buzz word in government circles and so it’s easy to dismiss it as vote-winning rhetoric. In reality, you’ll find that it is a real priority.
The government has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions to 80 per cent of its 1990 levels by 2050 and, since a whopping 50 per cent of emissions are buildings-related, the construction industry has an essential part to play.
Richard explains: ‘As government and public bodies strive to be sustainable and put their money where their mouths are, construction delivers the outputs they are looking for.’ The government has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions to 80 per cent of its 1990 levels by 2050 and, since a whopping 50 per cent of emissions are buildings-related, the industry has an essential part to play. What’s more, construction companies are realising that sustainable practices can improve profitability for both owners and occupiers – and consequently improves their competitiveness.
Sustainability in action
Richard emphasises that a main focus for sustainable construction is on reusing materials, such as cement and oil. ‘How we improve the efficiency of use and reuse of construction materials is vital in ensuring future generations still have access to these resources,’ he says. One method that is becoming increasingly popular is using recycled aggregates – that is, reusing excavated materials on site. Other techniques include giving buildings the means to implement environmentally friendly practices, such as grey-water recycling and low-energy lighting.
Balancing sustainability and commerce
Construction is, first and foremost, a business and greener technologies can initially be costly and cause scepticism. ‘Sustainability is a balance between three key areas: environmental; social; and economic,’ explains Dr Michael de Silva, an associate at Davis Langdon LLP. ‘As such, there is an inevitable degree of compromise.’
Construction professionals use a number of methodologies to assess a project’s environmental, social and economic impact. BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) are the most common environmentally-focused assessments used in the UK. ‘There is still a tendency in the industry to price a “sustainable” building on the basis of what a “conventional” building would cost, plus the extra sustainable costs as determined by a BREEAM or CSH rating,’ says Michael. But he confirms that times are changing: consideration of the whole life cost (WLC) – the cost of running the building throughout its operational lifespan – is gaining momentum.
The clear commercial strengths of greener options will push sustainability ever higher up the construction agenda.
Michael is in no doubt that the clear commercial strengths of greener options will push sustainability ever higher up the construction agenda: ‘As concerns regarding climate change come to the fore and in an increasingly resource-limited future, those buildings that outperform the market will be those that can demonstrate better WLC.’ In other words, property developers and construction professionals are realising that prioritising sustainability makes environmental and commercial sense. Clients and local authorities are also getting on board; it’s now rare for a developer not to specify that they want to attain a rating for their project.
Making sustainable decisions on the job
Every member of a project team has the opportunity to bring sustainable issues to the table – including recent graduates. If it is led by the client, it has maximum impact, but project managers, quantity surveyors and other construction professionals have an important role to play. They work with the client and design team to drive the design direction; guarantee that an appropriate brief has been put together; and ensure that the entire team is working towards this, while being mindful of costs. Sustainable considerations inform each stage of a project:
Design development: What is the purpose of this building? Will it continue to fulfil the same purpose in the future?
Procurement and construction: What experience has the contractor had in delivering to this type of specification? What are the supply chain considerations in terms of overall skills, local skills, training opportunities and local supply?
When the building is being used: What are the operational effects of the building in terms of its resource consumption (energy and water) and transport to and from the building? How flexible is the use of the building? What are the costs of running the building?
Maintenance: What are the maintenance and refurbishment requirements for the building? What is this in terms of the life cycle costs and whole life costs?
With thanks to Dr Michael de Silva (MCIWEM, MIEEM, CSci), an associate at Davis Langdon LLP, and Richard Gotheridge, environment advisor at Dean & Dyball Construction Ltd, for their help with this article.