Contractors are at a crossroads in the fight to combat climate change and achieve rapid decarbonization through sustainable building practices. More and more, businesses are committing to powering global operations — both in physical locations and the cloud — with 100 percent renewable energy, while reducing or completely eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
These ambitious goals, however, demand a significant transformation of processes and countless hours dedicated to minimizing e-waste rates and reducing landfill contributions. As the construction industry aims to become more sustainable and environmentally conscious, companies recognize the significance of their efforts.
How Is the Construction Industry Fighting Climate Change?
- More than 85 percent of business leaders have said sustainability is paramount to their business models and company culture.
- Following the European Union’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, businesses across Europe are establishing their own objectives to align with global targets.
This collective effort underscores the industry’s dedication to building a greener future through sustainable operations.
Want to Cut Carbon Emissions? Embrace Data.
To meet these marks, forward-thinking construction companies are embracing new technology solutions, recognizing that environmentally responsible practices are not just good for the planet, but good for business.
Using cutting-edge technologies like cloud infrastructure platforms that use renewable power, AI and machine learning, can help builders reduce emissions, prevent waste from rework, optimize costs and accelerate project timelines.
To truly grasp the environmental footprint of operations, a holistic view of your entire value chain is critical. New technology can help organizations fight climate change by managing and monitoring workflow efficiencies. Without data-driven insights, prioritizing sustainable investments and gauging their effectiveness becomes a shot in the dark.
Data-driven insights and predictive modeling allow for robust planning and informed decision-making. AI-driven predictive analytics empower users to optimize scheduling and resource allocation while maximizing efficient use of material, equipment and personnel. It helps managers access and use all their project data to gain a holistic view of performance metrics throughout operations.
This increased flexibility and real-time measurement enables users to prevent costly rework, minimize waste and sharpen resource allocation, ultimately leading to more successful project outcomes.
How Tech Is Creating New Approaches to Sustainability
Beyond the sustainable impact technology has on project management, new cloud and analytics based platforms are also enabling projects that examine the impact of construction on the larger global ecosystem.
For example, professionals have used technology to analyze animal species DNA to examine the impact construction work may have on the local ecological cycle. Analytics technologies can have an impact on how carbon scope management and material traceability, project, and asset lifecycle is impacting environmental sustainability.
As the construction industry evolves, organizations are embracing innovative strategies and ideologies united in their fight against climate change and their commitment to adopting more eco-friendly practices.
Among these is the LEEDv4.1 Approach, which places a strong emphasis on conserving energy and water resources, minimizing waste generation and enhancing air quality throughout the construction process.
This holistic approach aims to create buildings that not only have a reduced environmental impact but also promote the well-being of their occupants. Concurrently, organizations like the Alliance for Clean Air are witnessing a surge in membership, as more companies recognize the importance of addressing air pollution head-on.
Can the Construction Industry Lead the Sustainability Charge?
The construction industry has the ability to build sustainably and make significant positive impacts on the environment. Changing the trajectory of climate change will take people, processes and technology from all industries around the world.
More sustainability pledges and mandates will be forthcoming from organizations around the world. Achieving these goals will continue to directly impact future building projects, such as what materials should be used for new construction or what technologies to incorporate.
A series of small step changes can have big results in carbon reduction and help reach net zero goals. Building a sustainable industry means embracing innovation to minimize waste, optimize resource use and build a world where economic progress and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. The race to net-zero is on, and with the right tools and strategies, the construction industry can lead the charge towards a sustainable future.
By proactively embracing eco-friendly practices, the industry will contribute to the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and ensure that the building projects today will stand as a testament to our dedication to leaving a cleaner, greener planet for generations to come.
