How to Reduce the Environmental Impact of the Construction Sector

Table of Contents

• Environmental Impacts of Construction
• Sustainable Construction Practices
• Sustainable Construction Strategies
• How Anthesis can help

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The construction sector is a key driver of economic growth and job creation across many European countries. However, the environmental impact of constructionalso accounts for a significant share of resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation.

Key Environmental Impacts of Construction

Resource Depletion

It requires a large number of materials, representing approximately 50% of all extracted material, such as stones, gravel or sand, or wood consumption. 

Waste Generation

It generates a large amount of waste (e.g. cement or mortar), being responsible for more than 35 % of the total waste generation in the EU. 

Land Use and Habitat Loss

The construction of new buildings and the expansion of urban areas has a negative effect on the biodiversity present in the different areas, eliminating natural habitat or modifying space through construction, noise and particle pollution. 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by the sector come from different origins: from the material consumed to the proper management of this waste. In addition to the energy consumption of buildings during their useful life.

Energy Consumption

Buildings constructed in Europe account for 40% of final energy consumption and are responsible for 36% of GHG emissions.

Policy Solutions for Sustainable Construction Practices

In recent years, the European Commission has therefore promoted initiatives to improve the sector’s performance and reduce the negative effects of construction on the environment. The European Green Pact includes a package of policy initiatives with the aim of promoting the ecological transition and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. One of the sectors on which the European Green Pact focuses is the building and construction sector. Thus, considering the goal of being climate neutral by 2050, new initiatives and directives have emerged to promote this change such as: 

• Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which aims to reduce GHG emissions and energy consumption in the sector. From 2028, all new buildings must be zero-emission. For those occupied or operated by, or owned by, the public administration, the deadline will be 2026.
• The new Strategy for a Sustainable Built Environment, which aims to ensure coherence between relevant policy areas such as climate, energy and resource efficiency, construction and demolition waste management, accessibility, digitalisation and skills. It will promote the principles of circularity throughout the entire life cycle of buildings.

Strategies to Address Sustainability in Construction

The concern of the construction sector has increased over the years, as resources are dwindling, and the impacts of emissions are increasing. In addition, new laws and regulations are promoting a change in our production model and our way of life.

Professionals in the sector increasingly see the need to advance in the implementation of circular strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of their construction activities and of the buildings during their use.

Building Life Cycle Decarbonisation

The sector, as a relevant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, has a duty to promote decarbonisation by developing more sustainable solutions throughout the entire life cycle of a building. This means:

• Using materials with lower environmental impact that allow the reduction of emissions generated during the use of the building. 
• Prioritising the use of local materials whenever possible. 
• Implementing technologies in buildings that allow an efficient use of resources. 
• Recovering materials used to construct buildings.

Construction Materials and Sustainable Building

It is important to plan and design, taking into account the environmental impact of construction projects and the building itself throughout its life cycle in order to reduce its environmental footprint. The materials used and decisions made during the design phase will have an impact on the use and consumption of the building. 

Key considerations include:

• Building location and orientation. 
• Integration with the environment and landscape of the area. 
• Investment in good insulation. 
• Installation of energy or wastewater recovery systems. 

Life Cycle Assessments for Construction

To gain a comprehensive understanding of a building’s environmental impact, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology can be applied. LCA is a methodology standardised by ISO 14040 & ISO 14044, which allows for the calculation of the environmental footprint of a product, service or process by analysing the inputs and outputs throughout all stages of its life cycle. 

What does the LCA allow? 

• To identify the environmental impacts along the value chain of our product. 
• To identify the critical points of products and processes. 
• To make comparisons during the design phase of a product in order to make decisions to reduce the environmental footprint of our product. 
• To obtain rigorous information for decision making, for external and internal communication.

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

In addition, the LCA methodology is used as the basis for calculating impacts for Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). EPDs have become an indispensable tool in the construction sector. 

EPD provides objective information on the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle. It is an environmental eco-label that is made in accordance with ISO 14025, and it must also be verified by an independent third party that provides rigor and credibility to the document. 

They are a useful tool for the environmental improvement of products and production processes, as well as for compliance with current environmental legislation and for decision making in a supply chain or in purchasing procedures with demanding environmental requirements. 

Key benefits of having an Environmental Product Declaration

• Anticipate legal or large customer requirements. For example, in the French market, manufacturers of construction products are already obliged to produce EPD.
• Use it as a marketing and promotional tool to access new market opportunities. EPD can be used to position oneself in terms of transparency, rigor and environmental responsibility.
• Obtain a positive assessment of the materials or components used in LEED, BREEAM, GREEN building, etc. certifications. Incorporating products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) or environmental footprint calculations into buildings can improve scores in building certification programs, with the points awarded varying based on the study’s scope.

How can Anthesis help?

At Anthesis, we bring extensive expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and verification processes, enabling us to support companies in achieving both short- and long-term sustainability goals. Our services range from developing and verifying Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to implementing eco-design strategies, all focused on effectively reducing the environmental impact of your products.

We work alongside our clients at every step, from conducting thorough environmental footprint analyses to identifying improvement opportunities and implementing innovative, sustainable solutions.