As the global population rises, so will the demand for new housing. This anticipated surge presents a unique opportunity for the construction industry to address environmental impact concerns by building homes with sustainability at the forefront.
The Carbon Footprint of New Home Builds
According to MIT research, constructing a new residential property can emit 15 to 100 tons of carbon dioxide. Usually, the bigger the house, the higher the emission rate. Upon completion, these buildings also have operational carbon footprints from energy consumption and waste generation by occupants.
The construction sector has already received flak for being the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for up to 37% of global emissions. Despite significant efforts to lower the environmental impact of existing buildings, the best way for the industry to address sustainability concerns is to incorporate eco-consciousness into new builds.
Making Construction More Sustainable
Promoting sustainability in new builds revolves around several overarching strategies accounting for end-to-end environmental impact. Here are five changes the construction industry can make to become more eco-friendly.
1. Responsible Brush Clearing
Selective land clearing is one way to reduce ecological impact when planning the location of a new building. This means taking special care to minimize environmental degradation and retain vegetation supporting the natural ecosystem.
However, it does not apply to areas with invasive or fire-prone species — such as junipers and the eastern redcedar, which occupy 29.3% of non-federal pasturelands in the Midwest. These plants are highly susceptible to fire and should be nowhere near residential buildings.
2. Eco-Conscious Material Selection
Around 65%-85% of embodied carbon emissions from new construction projects come from sourcing and transporting materials. Cement, stainless steel and reinforced concrete are among today’s most unsustainable building materials. The only remedy is to switch to low-carbon alternatives, such as reclaimed wood, bamboo and recycled metals.
Green steel and cement materials have also emerged, significantly lowering carbon footprints. However, their widespread adoption will take time as cost remains a barrier. Nevertheless, these sustainable materials bode well for the construction industry’s future.
3. Renewable Energy Integration
New builds present the perfect opportunity to integrate clean energy sources like solar and geothermal systems. These innovations are crucial in supplementing global efforts to mitigate climate change. By drastically reducing reliance on fossil fuel sources, newer homes can achieve net-zero status and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Switching to clean energy solutions also offers cost-saving benefits. Research shows adopting renewable power can save households up to $2,500 yearly in utility bills.
4. Green Roof Installations
Rising populations will fuel increased urbanization, making cities hotter and more susceptible to climate change. Green roofs are a nature-based solution to improving urban sustainability, especially in areas affected by heat islands.
These advanced roofing systems support vegetation growth, providing various benefits, including natural insulation, stormwater management and reduced air pollution — all of which contribute to sustainable development. Green roofs also boast excellent longevity, with twice the expected life span of conventional roofing.
5. Construction Waste Recycling
The byproducts of home construction are extensive, encompassing various materials, such as wiring, rebar, scrap metal, plaster and more. Without proper oversight, most of these items end up in landfills. However, since the goal is to achieve sustainability, there must be systems to minimize waste through recycling. Unavoidable disposals must also follow due process to mitigate environmental impact.
Embracing Eco-Friendly Housing Options
Several home designs address sustainability concerns with prefabrication — modular homes partially assembled in factories and transported to the building site.
This approach dramatically reduces the carbon footprint of transporting materials and the construction process. A recent study shows modular homes have 25% less CO2 emissions than conventional site-built houses.
Another example is shipping container homes. By reusing and repurposing metals and other materials, these houses reduce the resources required for assembly — a win for the environment. Additionally, building container homes costs less, making them desirable in today’s increasingly expensive real estate market.
Can New Builds Be Made More Sustainable?
New builds can be sustainable when eco-consciousness is embedded into every aspect of the process. This means being responsible with lot clearing, selecting eco-friendly building materials and integrating renewable energy systems, among other things. By implementing these strategies, the construction industry can pave the way for a greener built environment capable of supporting future housing demands.
