Sustainability In Construction: How To Approach Your Sustainability Strategy.
Sustainability in Construction 101 – Article 4:
The construction industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 38% of global emissions. As the world looks to reduce its carbon footprint, the pressure on the construction industry to become more sustainable is increasing. Subcontractors, who play a vital role in the construction industry, can make a significant contribution to sustainability drive. However, many subcontractors are unsure of how to get started on their sustainability journey.
In this article, we will discuss why it is important for UK subcontractors in the construction industry to have a sustainability strategy in place, offer some tips on how to approach strategy, and provide a list of helpful resources.
Why Have a Sustainability Strategy?
There are many reasons why it is essential for subcontractors to have a sustainability strategy. Firstly, sustainability is important for the environment and society. The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, so it is crucial for subcontractors to take steps to reduce their environmental impact.
Secondly, sustainability is important for business. By taking steps to be more sustainable, subcontractors can save money, improve their reputation, and attract new customers.
By taking steps to be more sustainable, subcontractors can help to create a more sustainable future for everyone.
Tips on how to approach your sustainability strategy
Set Goals: The first step in any sustainability strategy is to set goals. What do you want to achieve? Do you want to reduce your carbon emissions? Use less energy? Recycle more? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start to develop a plan to get there.
Assess Your Current Situation: Before you can set goals, you need to assess your current situation. How much energy do you use? How much waste do you produce? Once you know where you are now, you can start to identify areas where you can improve.
Look for Opportunities: There are many opportunities for subcontractors to be more sustainable. You can use more sustainable materials, such as recycled materials or materials that are sourced from sustainable forests. You can also use energy-efficient equipment and appliances. There are also many opportunities to reduce waste, such as recycling and composting.
Get Involved in the Community: There are many ways to get involved in the community and promote sustainability. You can sponsor local environmental organizations, or you can volunteer your time to help with sustainability projects. You can also educate your employees about sustainability and encourage them to make sustainable choices.
Communicate Your Progress: As you make progress on your sustainability journey, be sure to communicate your progress to your employees, customers, and suppliers. This will help to raise awareness of sustainability and encourage others to take action. Consider creating a sustainability report or webpage that outlines your sustainability goals, initiatives, and progress. As an example here is THX’s Sustainability page.
Share this information with your stakeholders regularly, and encourage them to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement. This will demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and help build trust with your stakeholders.
HELPFUL sustainability resources
The UK Green Building Council: The UK Green Building Council provides guidance and support for companies looking to be more sustainable in the construction industry
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC): A non-profit organization that brings together businesses, government, and academia to promote sustainability in the construction industry.
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB): A non-profit organization that provides training and education to businesses in the construction industry.
The Supply Chain Sustainability School: The Supply Chain Sustainability School provides free e-learning modules and resources to help companies improve their sustainability.
The Green Construction Board (GCB): A government-led organization that works to promote sustainability in the construction industry. The GCB provides a number of resources and support to businesses, including:The GCB’s Sustainability Strategy, which sets out the government’s vision for sustainability in the construction industry.
The Carbon Trust: The Carbon Trust offers advice, support, and certification services to help companies reduce their carbon emissions.
The Carbon Trust’s Sustainability Reporting Framework, which provides guidance on how businesses can report on their sustainability performance.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals established by the United Nations to create a more sustainable future. Subcontractors can use the SDGs to ensure that their sustainability efforts are aligned with global objectives.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF): An international non-governmental organization that works to protect the environment. The WWF provides a number of resources and support to businesses, including, the WWF’s Sustainable Construction Guide, which provides guidance on how businesses can make their construction projects more sustainable.
SUMMARY
In conclusion, subcontractors in the construction industry can make a significant contribution to sustainability by developing and implementing effective sustainability strategies.
By setting goals, assessing their current situation, looking for opportunities, getting involved in the community, communicating their progress, and considering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, subcontractors can reduce their environmental impact, save money, improve their reputation, and attract new customers.
With the help of the available resources and support, subcontractors can take steps towards building a more sustainable future for everyone.
There are many reasons why it is important for UK subcontractors in the construction industry to have a sustainability strategy. Sustainability is important for the environment, business, society, and employees. By having a sustainability strategy, subcontractors can save money, improve their reputation, attract new customers, access new markets, increase employee satisfaction, and have a positive impact on the environment.
Further Reading:
Sustainability 101:
1. What is sustainability and why does it matter to your business?
2. Unpacking sustainability jargon – what do some of these terms actually mean?
3. Taking your first steps on the sustainability journey – where to start?
4. How to approach your sustainability strategy
5. How to introduce sustainability into construction workplaces: small changes, big impact.
6. Leading the way: The role of leadership in achieving sustainability in construction.