Sustainable Construction Practices

This assignment delves into the principles of sustainable construction. It emphasizes the use of environmentally friendly materials during construction, highlighting their energy efficiency throughout their lifecycle (manufacture, distribution, use, and disposal). The paper discusses various techniques and strategies to reduce carbon emissions in construction projects, such as low-energy building designs and responsible waste management practices.

CMS80002
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION
DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE HOME WITH NET ZERO ENERGY
STUDENT NAME
STUDENT REGISTRATION ID
DATE OF SUBMISSION

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION
SUMMARY
The public and private developers need to comply with the strategies that contain policies
to ensure sustainable construction. The success of the implementation of the strategic plan for
2050 in the United Kingdom requires technology, materials, and Building Regulations. There is a
great need to house more people as the population is constantly increasing and there is need to
manage the housing to ensure everyone gets decent housing (Halliday, 2008). The paper seeks to
analyze how the zero-carbon design technologies are implemented and the factors that could
affect its implementation.
INTRODUCTION
The domestic sector in the United Kingdom account for a large percentage of the energy
consumption (Barrett, et al, n.d.). The major energy consumers are space and water heating as
opposed to lighting and electrical appliances. Some statistics prove that the older a building is the
poorer its energy performance. When the space heating is saved, there is a significant scope for
energy efficiency improvements. The structure, construction process and the occupancy process
are deemed environmentally responsible and resource efficient in sustainable construction. The
practice is maintained throughout the building’s entire life cycle from the site location, to design,
construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. The main aim of green
construction is to have development that satisfies the needs of the current population without
affecting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Abidin, 2010). Construction is
considered sustainable if it enhances living, working and leisure environment for the population,
consumes minimum energy as well as generating minimum waste over its life cycle. Such a
construction integrates with the natural environment and ensures the use of renewable resources
where possible. Green construction avoids causing permanent damage to the natural environment
by demolitions and consumption of a large amount of resources. It is rather considered
unsustainable when it causes unnecessary waste of energy, water or materials due to short life,
poor design, inefficiency or the low standard construction techniques (Ortiz, et al, 2009).
LOW/ZERO-CARBON DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
The zero or low carbon design technologies seek to introduce high standards of fabric energy
efficiency so as to reduce the energy demand and to incorporate low carbon energy technologies
to reduce the carbon emissions from heat and power generation. The projects require a huge
investment in the carbon-saving infrastructure deployment in the construction of residential and
commercial sites (John, et al, 2005).
1. Selection of low carbon construction materials
The aim of the sustainable construction is to reduce wastage and carbon emissions while
ensuring that the natural resources are maintained for the future generations. The zero carbon
design technologies implemented usually seek to reduce the need for energy as well as utilize

the available energy efficiently. Some of the non-depletable natural energy sources are used
such as the wind and solar energy. Biomass is a form of bio-energy that is obtained from the
wood fuel, energy crops or the wood waste, agricultural residues of the biological
components (Matthews, et al, 2012).
2. Innovative construction process
The designers such as the architects and the engineers are responsible for the design of a
building that optimizes the electrical, heating, and cooling loads. The construction depends
highly on the selection of specific materials to use and reduce the loads. This is achieved by
the design and utilization of free energy gains or the passive gains and the specification of
mechanical and electrical equipment and systems that satisfy the energy loads. The designs
should aim at creating a more commercially viable zero carbon home by orienting it for
maximum solar gain and renewable energy generation. The designs seek to conserve all the
resources and ensure that the structure is self-sufficient. The use of large windows on the
sides of residential buildings, plantation to cover the open lands or even on the walls of
buildings gives an ecological feel. The use of efficient water gutter system to collect rain
water for reuse in house chores. Another design approach is the installation of solar heaters
on the rooftops to conserve electricity when hot water is required (Ilha, et al, 2009).
3. Management of operative energy consumption and consumption behavior
The life cycle assessment is a very resourceful tool for assessing environmental performance
and sustainable development. One of the key ways to manage the zero carbon in sustainable
construction is to involve it in legislation. It should be stated as a mandatory target as well as
have a strategic plan to eliminate the carbon emissions to the highest level by the year 2050
in the UK and in 2030 in the USA. The international community needs to embrace the move
to ensure that the environment is protected. There are several decisions that need to be made
when considering the sustainable construction such as the increase of profit margins, green
credentials, and business opportunities (Kukudia, et al, 2004).
4. Choice of renewable energy systems
The choice of renewable energy systems is highly dependent on the construction site. The
site could be located in a region where the solar energy is abundant or where there is a lot of
wind. In the urban areas, there is a lot of waste materials that can be converted to biomass
which is another suitable form of energy especially for small energy requirements such as
heating and cooking.
5. Recycle and reuse
Many building are coming up with designs that conserve the natural resource provided. The
key concern on lighting is achieved by ensuring that the building is well lit and no electricity
is used for lighting during the day. During the night, there can be solar energy, wind energy,
or hydropower. Water is another key resource in construction and residential setups. Rain
water can be collected and used for the wash areas and toilets. The greywater can be used to
irrigate, water the open areas or even in washing cars (Ugwu, 2006).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
To reduce the carbon footprint during construction, the operational team needs to use products
that cause minimal harm to the environment. These materials need to be energy efficient in terms
of their manufacture, distribution, use and disposal. The paper broadly discusses the
environmentally friendly alternatives such as the use of low energy forms of construction as well
as being mindful of processes that could cause emission of CO2.
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