The Chartered Institute of Building- CIOB has recently gone on to come up with a comprehensive sustainability guide that is specifically designed for professionals who work in the built environment.
The guide covers a range of important topics, right from sustainability development goals and green financing to embodied and operational carbon, biodiversity, as well as social value.
It helps professionals with practical tools and strategies to successfully implement environmentally friendly practices across the entire lifecycle of a building. By doing so, it not only helps achieve the global goal of attaining net zero emissions but, at the same time, also enhances the overall environment for communities.
Dr. Gina Al-Talal, Fellow- CIOB, who is the head of technical and standards development at CIOB, stated that sustainability guides have become quite common; however, the guides developed by CIOB are specifically designed to cater to the needs of the construction profession. As a result, it is indeed going to be an invaluable resource for both CIOB members and the broader sector.
The reference point it offers at each stage of a construction project highlights the value of incorporating sustainable practices and the positive impact they can have when it comes to the environment as well as local communities.
A must-read for construction professionals
Amanda Williams, the head of environmental sustainability at CIOB, stressed the crucial role that the construction industry plays in addressing the dual challenges of climate change as well as biodiversity loss. So as to create the future one desires, it is indeed crucial that they go on to utilise the expertise along with creativity of the industry. Their goal is to ensure that the projects they undertake today have a beneficial impact. The guide will help construction workers address the defining challenge of the time and prioritise sustainability.
Dr. Michael Yam, Fellow- CIOB, a former president of CIOB, emphasized the need for the construction and built environment sectors to reset as the 2050 net-zero target draws near. This means a shift towards greater utilisation of modern construction methods, raised offsite jobs, creative use of materials, enhanced infrastructure to support zero-carbon energy production, as well as prioritising building renovations rather than knocking them down.
He adds that the objective of the CIOB is to guide the sector through challenging times while at the same time maintaining focus on achieving a safe, carbon-neutral, and high-quality built environment. They hope that this sustainability guide can act as a roadmap to help reach the right destination.
