Clients are starting to use their influence to go beyond net-zero carbon

At the beginning of my CIOB Presidency I set out why I feel clients are so crucial to so many of the issues the industry faces and why they can, and should be, a force for change; whether that is attracting the next generation, improving the quality of the built environment or their role in delivering a sustainable future. The areas of influence and/or control which clients have is vast and encompasses the whole Construction Management cycle; from inception through to procurement,  construction, maintenance, in use and remodelling/repurposing or demolition.

It is worth highlighting the role clients can and are playing relative to the Climate Change agenda.

Clients are able to use their purchasing power and influence positively to reduce the impact we have on the environment. Many clients that I know have been focused on developing buildings that are operationally energy efficient and which can achieve a net-zero carbon impact. For example BREEAM certification is now commonplace. 

But as the industry improves its ability to construct buildings that can operate at net-zero carbon, progressive clients are finding that the only way to reduce carbon further is to lower the “embodied” carbon, which includes carbon emitted in the production of materials and the construction activity itself. 

As a result, some major clients are expecting contractors and other suppliers to reduce their embodied carbon at every stage of the design and construction (including remodelling/repurposing) process. Science based targets are now very much part of the conversation, because they set meaningful and measurable goals that can be reported on.  The global Science based targets initiative has several built environment clients signed up and more are following. 

According the to the World Green Building Council, buildings account for 39% of energy-related global carbon emissions, with 28% coming from operational carbon and 11% from embodied carbon. Embodied carbon can account for anything between 30% and 70% of a building’s lifetime carbon. This vital area is where we should encourage more clients to have a focus. 

So that gives us a feel for the balance between embodied carbon and carbon ‘in use’ but clients can do much more in carefully selecting their actions required to secure the buildings needed for their use – whatever their type.

I don’t know many in the world of construction who don’t get inspired by seeing the new building of their choice – great designs being an inspiration to so many and the feel good factor is rewarding.  Such developments will quite rightly be a part of the world we live in.

However the client again has a major part to play in ensuring the right decisions are made at the outset i.e. new building or re-use of an existing structure by remodelling and refurbishment. We should be paying more attention to the possibility of redesigning and rethinking the use of existing buildings where embodied carbon has already been accounted for (perhaps not consciously) when previously constructed.  Clients can and should influence and control such decisions.

Its important that the way we define net-zero is clear and takes away the complexity of understanding although it has to be recognised that defining targets and measuring the progress towards achieving them is challenging but a challenge that we must rise to if we are to succeed in the carbon reduction agenda.

ICE has defined a ‘cradle to grave’ approach to embodied energy as that ‘consumed’ by a building throughout its life. It helpfully breaks it down as:

• ‘Initial embodied energy’ being the energy required to produce the building. (it’s important of course to appreciate that this includes the energy to make a material)
• ‘Recurring embodied embodied energy’ as the energy required to refurbish/remodel and maintain the building over its lifetime and 
• ‘Demolition embodied  energy’ as the energy necessary to demolish and dispose of.

(NOTE: These definitions are purely relating to the embodied carbon and not operational energy required to utilise the final product)

As I said earlier there is some great work being undertaken by clients. In the UK, Manchester’s Climate Change Agency has defined the following in its framework to achieve net-zero carbon for new buildings:

• Net Zero Carbon in operation: When the amount of carbon emissions associated with a building’s operational energy on an annual basis is zero or negative.
• Net Zero Carbon in construction: When the amount of carbon emissions associated with a building’s construction is zero or negative. 
• Net Zero Carbon Whole Life: When the amount of carbon emissions associated with a building’s construction, operation, maintenance, repair and end of life is zero or negative.

Clients have the opportunity to lead and get this right – it mustn’t be left to the supply side to bring all the influence to the table.  Collaboration is key and it has never been more important than now if we are to save the world for future generations.

To conclude I quote from Manchester’s Climate Change Document – Manchester City Council being a major client of course:

“The City Council’s role is pivotal. Although this will not happen without collaboration with the industry, the Council holds many of the key levers, most obviously through planning, but also through its own procurement, investment, land disposal and partnerships.”