Construction Sector Trends: Decarbonisation, Circular Economy and Material Innovation
The building and construction sector accounted for 37 per cent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2021, and while the industry is often criticized for being slow to change, recent research by the New Zealand Green Building Council suggests that the building and construction sector is starting to transition towards a net-zero carbon built environment, seen in the figures below.
MBIE's Annual Report on Building and Construction Sector Trends for 2022 highlighted that climate change and greater environmental awareness are key drivers shaping trends we are seeing from clients and companies in the construction industry.
The use of low carbon emission products, minimising the use of high carbon emission materials plus innovation around waste-based construction materials and the use of the circular economy concept are included in some of these trends developing in around the world and in NZ.
We’ve seen these techniques being utilised by our Bay of Plenty/Waikato based construction partner Foster Construction in their building of Profile Groups HQ in Hautapu. This project was also recognised with the Industrial & Green Building Awards in the recent Property Council NZ awards.
Profile Groups HQ, Hautapu
Also in the innovation of circular economy and waste-based materials space, researchers from the University of Waikato are using building waste to produce new building products, such as alternatives to structural timber, cladding, fencing, and decking. Meanwhile NZ company SaveBOARD are up-cycling packaging to produce building materials such as exposed internal linings, paper faced internal linings, roofing substrates, rigid air brace boards, and ceiling tiles. SaveBOARD has up to 90 per cent less CO2 compared to alternatives.
Scientists, manufacturers, and researchers around the globe have also been looking at options to reduce the environmental impact of the most man-made material on the planet, concrete. As well as developing new innovations to reduce the life cycle carbon emission of concrete, approaches such as low-damage design, corrosion protection and strengthening existing structures are starting to be used.
In New Zealand, MBIE notes that D5 Green Concrete is being explored as an option for sustainable reinforced concrete. D5 Green is a mineral-based mixture that includes natural pozzolans (pumice-like volcanic material that is common across the volcanic plateau of the central North Island in New Zealand). Concrete made with D5 Green reportedly reaches its character strength on day 7 (compared with day 28 for ordinary concrete), is waterproof, has up to 35 per cent greater strength, and reduces carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent.
We expect that climate change will continue to be a significant driver of innovation in the building design and construction industries over the coming decades. These innovations will become the norm in future and be joined by other advancements that will make the sector more environmentally friendly.
In the short-medium term, more sustainable construction will start to demand a premium in terms of occupancy and will be a great differentiator in attracting staff and selling to clients. Longer term, it will become a necessity in creating a more sustainable future, and we see a strategic advantage in starting this journey early.