Building Carbon Literacy in Construction

The construction industry accounts for almost 40% of global carbon emissions. This impact is significant in New Zealand, driving a need to boost carbon literacy among those in the field. Carbon literacy in construction means understanding how materials, designs, and construction practices affect carbon emissions and knowing how to reduce them, from the materials used to the building’s daily energy use.

Carbon literacy is all about knowing how our everyday actions impact the carbon footprint around us. In construction, this means understanding which building materials, design choices, and construction methods have the most impact on emissions. The concept of “embodied carbon” is essential. This refers to the emissions that come from producing and transporting building materials. For instance, making cement, a primary ingredient in concrete, produces around 8% of global carbon emissions. Reducing embodied carbon can be as simple as choosing materials with a smaller footprint or designing buildings that use materials more efficiently.

BRANZ is leading efforts to reduce carbon emissions in construction. Through initiatives like research projects, educational materials, and workshops, BRANZ is working to spread the word about carbon reduction and how to achieve it. Another major player is the Construction Sector Accord, which encourages industry-wide sustainability and provides resources to help builders adopt low-carbon practices.

Education is a key part of building carbon literacy. Including topics like sustainability and carbon management in construction courses helps future industry professionals understand their impact from the get-go. For those already in the field, continuing professional development (CPD) programs offer updated knowledge on reducing emissions. Programs like the Carbon Literacy Project, which certifies individuals and organisations in carbon reduction practices, are also making a difference, ensuring that training is practical and relevant.

Practical steps to reduce carbon emissions

Construction professionals can take several concrete steps to cut down on emissions:

Choosing the right materials: Opt for materials with lower embodied carbon. Using recycled or local materials can cut emissions from production and transportation.

Optimising design: Buildings can be designed to use less materials without sacrificing strength. Advanced modelling tools can help fine-tune these designs, making structures efficient without extra waste.

Improving energy efficiency: Focus on designing buildings that require less energy for heating, cooling, and lighting. This can include using energy-efficient systems or incorporating passive design principles that reduce energy use.

Reducing waste: Minimise waste on-site by using prefabrication, where building components are made off-site, which can cut down on excess material use.

Considering the entire lifecycle: Assess a building’s carbon impact from start to finish, balancing short-term costs with long-term environmental benefits. This helps make smarter, more sustainable decisions.

Challenges the industry faces

Despite the clear benefits of carbon literacy, the construction industry faces some challenges. A major one is resistance to change. Switching to new materials or methods can feel risky, and initial costs can be higher. However, over time, the savings from using energy-efficient designs and reduced waste often outweigh these costs.

Another issue is the need for standardised tools and metrics to measure carbon emissions. Without a consistent way to track carbon impact, it’s tough to gauge progress or compare strategies. Having reliable, industry-wide tools for measuring emissions would make it easier to make informed choices and track improvement.

On the bright side, new technology is making sustainable construction easier. Building Information Modelling (BIM) helps streamline design and construction processes, reducing waste and optimising material use. There’s also a growing demand for sustainable buildings, so companies that focus on reducing carbon emissions can gain a competitive edge.

As awareness of climate change increases, so does the need for carbon literacy in construction. Stricter emissions regulations are likely in the future, which will push companies to adopt sustainable practices. Clients and end-users are also becoming more eco-conscious, meaning demand for low-carbon buildings will continue to grow.

For construction professionals, developing a solid understanding of carbon impacts is essential. By learning to reduce emissions, builders and contractors can help shape a sustainable future for the built environment.

Increasing carbon literacy in construction is a crucial step in reducing global emissions. The industry can make a real difference in tackling climate change through education, practical steps, and a commitment to ongoing improvement. By incorporating carbon-conscious choices into their daily work, construction professionals can help create a more sustainable world, one building at a time.