Environmental Sustainability in Construction

ENVIORNMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION
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Introduction
A net zero carbon emission building is often achieved under circumstances the cumulative
amount of energy used per year by the structure is nearly similar to the amount of renewable
energy that a specific house generates on its real boundaries. This may be attained mainly
through the minimization of use of fossil fuel as well as any process which result in greenhouse
gases emissions in a structure of a home or construction materials, maintenance as well as repairs
of the structure. there are numerous technologies that are used in zero carbon design as will be
extensively elaborated in this report among them material selection that may be grouped as low
carbon emitting, the use of modern as well as more effective methods of construction through the
use of appliances that are good at saving energy, supplementing the supply of power through the
use of renewable energy sources alongside recycling or reusing different produces. It is of great
importance to note that homes that attain zero carbon energy emission use energy which is
mostly derived from the national electrical grid system and ought to on another hand kickback
nearly the same amount of energy in most of the cases.
Energy is not the sole aspect that needs to be taken into consideration in attaining net zero carbon
emission as it encompasses numerous interdependent connections of different parameters that are
as well inclusive of control of the emissions linked to disposals and wastes alongside embodied
carbon of materials for construction. The phrase embodied energy may be described as the
highest measurable energy used that is usable in the manufacture as well as transport of a
specific production all the way from the raw material forms to finished and consumable product.
On the other hand, embodied carbon refers to the maximum amount of emissions of carbon in
the process of production of a specific material. These should be kept to the lowest possible
levels during the construction of buildings to attain net zero carbon emission.

Another factor taken into consideration to significant levels in this study is cost. All the
techniques and techniques adopted in a construction of the homes that are aimed at zero net
carbon emission ought to result in lower overall costs as compared to those that are not. This
encompasses rough projection of costs which is inclusive of future repairs as well as
maintenance costs. The report in its entirety demonstrates the required changes that are to be
done to a current home to render it a home having zero net carbon emission.
Background
The construction industry and sector has a significant impact on the lives of the occupants of the
various spaces as well as the environment such that to the tune of about 45% of the energy
generated on the earth goes to residential habitats. Such energy and its consumption as well have
an impact on the environment as it results in change in climate alongside air pollution within
region where non-renewable energy which are polluting in nature remain to be dominant. More
insight continues to find its way into the world of the built environment as well as its impacts on
the surrounding thus measures are adopted by different stakeholder to come up with buildings
that are environmentally friendly through legislation as well as review of the existing building
codes in lowering the effects of climate change on the surrounding. Some of the main effects are
such as climate change and global warming that are already posing the worst hazards to the
planet including floods, increase in the ocean water levels and droughts in various regions of the
world.
An excellent illustration of a government taking necessary measures can be note in California in
which a detailed goal as well as mission alongside vision has been stated which demands all
current alongside future residential buildings to be changed to net zero emisions by the end of
2020. The vision as well provides that all commercial structures in the state are to meet the same

standards by the close of the year 2030. Such a vision is in conformity with the Energy
Independence and Security Act that came into action in 2007. The bill advocates for total
elimination of significant reduction in fossil fuel usage in new projects in the federation by 2030.
As a result of such actions, the contractors have been noted to be adapting and making the
necessary adjustments to ensure their construction work are as per the goals and with time zero
net certified homes would begin becoming the order of the day.
Investigation from the energy department of the USA indicates that building that has attained net
zero carbon emission status is defined by a building that is can significantly lower its energy
needed via maximizing energy effect via balancing the common energy needs with the
renewable energy available. Vigorous as well as articulate planning is not a choice in attaining a
home bearing such types of standards of energy usage. All the stakeholders must abide by the
regulations to enable setting the consumption of energy to the minimum levels and the extra
energy systems must be installed to facilitate production of energy by the homes.
The development of net zero energy emisions homes began as early as 2000 as a result of the
need to operate the economy on activities deemed to be environmentally friendly as well as to
lower the causes of changes in the climate. In the recent past, the government of the American
people has been can finish development of research facility located in Colorado which carried
out research on net zero emisions. The project managed to attain threshold of net zero carbon
emission through changing the process of design during construction. Numerous policies were
adopted during the construction all of which were aimed at energy saving that were inclusive of
additional energy sources for instance 16 MGW photovoltaic power through purchase
agreement. They as well incorporated natural day lighting, 100% natural ventilation as well as
creation of a data center that ascertained conservation as well as efficiency of energy.