Research has shown that the Commercial Property Sector accounts for 40% of all global carbon emissions. 70% of these emissions are produced through building operations, and 30% come from construction activities. These numbers clearly highlight the urgent need for a shift in consciousness around how we construct and maintain sustainable buildings that serve our families and communities. Fortunately, positive steps by our governments, have seen the implementation of statutory commitments to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with the intention to mitigate the worst possible threats of climate change, by limiting global warming to 1.5˚ C above pre-industrial levels. However, it is clear that as a sector, we need to do more to contribute towards drastic reductions in carbon emissions.
As a result of the changing shift in attitudes towards sustainability and the preservation of our environment, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors published a report which highlights the demand for Commercial Property and construction to deliver on green targets. The report concluded that in a survey of 4,000 respondents in the Commercial Property Sector, occupier demand for green buildings has increased by 55%, and investor demand has increased by 57%. Europe has the highest demand for green buildings, with an occupier demand of 75%, followed by MEA (52%), Asia Pacific (49%) and the Americas (45%).
As a professional service provider to the Commercial Property and Construction sector, Haydon Construction Services are in a perfect position to positively bring change to the industry and implement the necessary measures to ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of our practice. We help our clients deliver sustainable projects by being involved in the project during the pre-construction phase. This enables us to consider the life cycle costing of a building for many years after the property has been constructed, by giving careful consideration to the use of materials and energy efficiency impacts throughout the long-term use of the building. Our value engineering methods take a holistic approach, paying close attention to operational efficiencies throughout the construction process to reduce excessive material waste and resources. Haydon Construction Services also ensure that the project supply chain is sustainable. By being involved in the early stages of a project, we can influence the sustainable outcome by ensuring that contractors and materials are procured from sustainable sources and that construction operatives are sourced locally.