Environmental Awareness in Construction

Know about environmental issues affecting the construction industry.

Key environmental issues

• using greenfield sites and loss of habitats
• wastage and landfill of materials
• pollution
• contaminated brownfield sites

Awareness of issues

• use of finite resources
• costs associated with wastage and landfill
• producing sustainable buildings
• life cycle costs

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Give examples of key environmental issues which affect the construction industry. 

• 1.2

  Give reasons why it is important that the construction industry is aware of key environmental issues. 

Know the importance of energy conservation. 

Conservation of energy

• to make existing finite resources last
• to reduce emissions to air
• reduction in global warming effects
• reduction in rising sea levels
• reduction in annual flooding

Supporting Energy Conservation

• by prefabricating components
• by recycling renewable techniques
• specify renewable materials
• using less concrete in designs
• use natural light

Renewable Energy

• solar panels
• wind turbines
• hydro electricity
• tidal/wave power
• biomass boilers

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  State why there is a need to conserve energy. 

• 2.2

  Give examples of ways in which the construction industry can support energy conservation.

• 2.3

  Give examples of renewable energy. 

Know methods of reducing waste whilst working in the construction industry. 

Good working practice

• waste segregation
• ordering correct amounts
• using standard sizes

Recyclable materials

• metals, copper, lead, steel, aluminium
• timber
• brickwork
• concrete

Sustainable working

• prefabricated modules
• timber framed construction
• using wool insulation

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Give examples of good working practice in reducing material wastage on site. 

• 3.2

  Identify different types of material used in the construction industry that can be recycled. 

• 3.3

  Give examples of working sustainably in construction.