According to the World Building Council (WBC), buildings are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions. This figure is largely due to embodied emissions, which have been overlooked historically but contribute to emissions during manufacturing, transportation, construction, and ultimate deconstruction of buildings.
The green revolution seeks to change this paradigm by cleaning up the construction industry and reducing the embodied emissions that spike our carbon footprints. When leveraged correctly, materials and technology like reclaimed wood, smart sensors, and salvaged steel can significantly reduce waste, minimize emissions, and combat climate change.
Similarly, going green empowers construction firms to produce better buildings that support inhabitants and users on a more fundamental level. It is far better to live in a building that is connected to the IoT and offers functions like emission monitoring and automated adjustments than it is to live in a building that is constructed with cost-cutting as a primary goal.
Green Building Materials
The WBC report on embodied carbon estimates that upfront carbon — carbon incurred during material production and construction — will account for half of all emissions between now and 2050. The WBC report prudently states that upfront emissions will likely “consume a large part of our remaining carbon budget” unless major changes are implemented.
Fortunately, eco-friendly construction firms can leverage emergent tools and technology to reduce their emissions and cut down on upfront carbon use. Some of the best building materials for energy efficiency include:
- Recycled Steel: Steel is the most recycled material in the world and can be used to create solid structures. Recycled steel is just as strong as new steel and can be utilized in the same way as steel produced directly from iron.
- Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs): Pour-in-place concrete walls form a thick layer of insulation that reduces heating and cooling costs and are perfect in small, ancillary buildings like garages or workshops.
- Recycled Wood: Responsibly sourced timber minimizes ecological loss and ensures the world’s wood demand is sustainably met. Some construction firms use plastic composite lumber to further reduce waste and environmental damage.
- Bamboo Plywood: Bamboo is more expensive than other forms of lumber but represents a sustainable, durable material with low upfront carbon costs.
These materials aren’t necessarily cutting-edge, “new” innovations, either. Sometimes, ancient construction techniques, like rammed earth, can empower sustainable building practices. Even the Great Wall of China is built using rammed earth, proving that sustainable, green buildings are resilient and will pass the test of time.
Eco-Friendly Design Principles
Pivoting towards eco-friendly design principles is an essential part of the green revolution. Even simple changes like designing homes that are oriented to make the most of natural energy can aid efforts to minimize carbon emissions and improve sustainability. Architects can leverage the power of proper orientation today by:
- Accounting for location and natural weather patterns when designing the site;
- Tracking sun exposure to ensure windows let natural light in;
- Setting houses on a north-south orientation to maximize sun exposure;
- Incorporating shading devices to effectively control heat gain and loss.
For example, an architect building a home in a warm climate prone to heat waves may design a house shaded by trees and supports effective ventilation. Doing so will require adjustments to generic designs, as cross-ventilation typically occurs on an east-west axis due to the Coriolis effect.
Foregrounding eco-friendly design principles can increase the utilization of renewable energy, too. As such, architects who wish to support the green revolution play a fundamental role in ensuring that homes and buildings are designed to utilize renewable energy for years to come.
Utilizing Renewables
Renewable energy utilization shows no signs of slowing down. According to the International Energy Agency, renewable energy sources “have grown at a faster pace than global energy consumption.” Today, the share of modern renewables in final energy consumption has increased to 12.5% as the utilization of energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass continues to grow.
While hydropower remains the largest contributor to renewable power, it’s unlikely that we’ll see much growth in the hydroelectric industry in the coming years due to cost and a lack of appropriate sites. Instead, construction agencies can support the development of renewables by creating buildings that support the utilization of wind and solar power.
Homeowners can play their part in renewable adoption by installing solar panels. Installing solar panels is relatively straightforward, and most panels require minimal maintenance. Homeowners don’t need to live in the desert to use solar, either, as panels still represent a responsible economic and environmental investment in less sun-soaked places. People who install solar panels will simply need to adjust the angle of their solar panels for winter and aim to reach a 50% discharge goal to enhance efficiency.
Investing in green construction can support the development of wind farms and solar power stations. The expansion of renewables can be easily passed on to consumers, who simply need to change to utility agencies that provide clean, low-emission energy. This “grassroots energy” innately reduces the emissions associated with maintaining and powering homes and is the most straightforward way for building managers to minimize their site’s carbon footprint.
Conclusion
Constructing the buildings and infrastructure of tomorrow requires a proactive, energy-efficient approach to material sourcing, production, and maintenance. Installing eco-friendly, innovative technology can extend the lifespan of homes, mitigate upfront carbon costs, and help homeowners reduce their emissions. A fundamentally green approach can help make the most of emergent technology and tools like solar panels, wind turbines, and IoT devices.
