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NEWS

Sustainable buildings:

How sustainability adds

value to your building

The future of the construction industry
is green, with the UK government
announcing plans to achieve net
zero emissions by 2050. Construction
companies have also begun to
consider how to lower their carbon
footprint. According to a report by
the WBCSD, the construction industry
should follow the embodied carbon
reduction strategy. This means
repurposing material when possible,
rather than using raw materials. By
repurposing materials, construction
companies can reuse materials
and minimise waste. This will ensure
sustainability stays at the forefront of
construction.
This article will explore the importance
of sustainable buildings within the How sustainability can add value to overusing heating. In turn, the amount
construction sector. We’ll also look at your building of carbon dioxide emitted into the
how sustainability can add value to Whether you’re installing carbon- atmosphere will reduce.
your building. saving gadgets or redesigning
The importance of sustainable an entire building, sustainability in Solar panels will boost the price of
domestic buildings
buildings construction has many forms. Here are Solar panels harness energy from
The construction industry is responsible three ways this will add value to your the sun and generate electricity to
for up to 11% of global carbon building. power buildings. As well as being
emissions. To combat this, the National Rainscreen cladding will insulate environmentally conscious, solar
Engineering Policy Centre stated buildings panels are a cost-effective energy
that the sector must reduce carbon A protective layer that sits on the source. According to a study by the
emissions by 78% before 2035. This outside of a building, rainscreen Green Match, a 6kW solar panel grid
includes all stages of production, cladding provides direct protection can save a homeowner an average
from sourcing materials to generating against the weather. The outer of £430 on electric bills within a year.
electricity during construction. layer stops rain, while the inner layer
The Green Building Council has urged improves the structural integrity and This is an attractive selling point to
the construction industry to limit insulation of buildings. anyone!
emissions of embodied carbon. As This is a great way to add value Overall, sustainability adds value
well as taking part in carbon offsetting to your building while also being to your building. Considering its
projects, the report recommends environmentally conscious in your cost-effectiveness and green-
actions to decarbonise construction. design. Rainscreen cladding is attractiveness, we can see why.
The recommendations include capable of reducing energy costs As the government pledges to reach
retrofitting existing homes, investing in both domestic and commercial net zero, the construction industry
in industrial decarbonisation, and buildings, saving up to 40% of bills per continues to adapt to new ways of
adopting a minimum standard of key year. As well as being economically operation. How will you build with
appliances for new buildings. conscious, this will stop people sustainability in mind?

www.modernbuilder.co.uk modern builder - issue 99 11