Guide to sustainability in the built environment

[edit] The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has launched a new sustainability guide for built environment professionals.

The guide covers topics including sustainability development goals, green financing, embodied and operational carbon, biodiversity and social value. It offers practical tools and strategies to help readers embrace sustainable practices during the planning, construction and ongoing operation of a building to support national and global efforts to reach net zero, while also improving the environment for surrounding communities.

Dr Gina Al-Talal, FCIOB, head of technical technical and standards development at CIOB, said: “Sustainability guides are now fairly common but ours is specifically tailored to the construction profession so will be an extremely valuable resource for our members and the wider sector. It provides a reference point at every stage of a construction project and emphasises the importance of integrating sustainable practices and the difference this can make to the environment and local communities.”

Amanda Williams, Head of Environmental Sustainability at CIOB, said: “The construction industry has a vital role to play in responding to the twin challenge of climate change and biodiversity loss. We must harness all the skill and ingenuity of the sector, as we aim to ensure that the projects we deliver today make a positive contribution to the kind of future we want to see. This comprehensive guide to sustainability in the built environment is essential reading for construction professionals as they work to make their difference to this defining challenge and put sustainability at the heart of everything they do.”

Dr Michael Yam, FCIOB, CIOB’s 2022/23 President, said: “The construction and built environment sector needs to reset as the 2050 net zero target approaches. This means a movement towards more intensive use of modern methods of construction, more off-site work, more innovative use of materials, more infrastructure directly supporting zero-carbon energy production, and more re-fitting than knocking buildings down. At the CIOB, our goal is to help steer the sector through turbulent waters, keeping an eye on our destination of a safe, carbon neutral, high-quality built environment. A built environment that contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is our hope that this sustainability guide will serve as a roadmap to get us to that destination.”

The new publication - ‘A guide to Sustainability in the Built Environment’, is available on the CIOB’s website https://ciob.me/sustainabilityGuide priced at £50 (£40 for CIOB members).

[edit] Guide to Sustainability in the Built Environment published by CIOB

This Guide to Sustainability in the Built Environment provides a comprehensive reference for stakeholders in the buildings and construction sector, introducing sustainability principles, offering tools for addressing climate, nature, and social challenges at organisational and project levels, and outlines the benefits of adhering to relevant standards and environmental certifications. Only available electronically. CIOB members receive 20% discount.

[edit] Summary

Although sustainability is steadily growing in importance for businesses, governments and other societal actors, it remains a developing agenda with change closely following recognised science. This guide offers practices based on best available knowledge at this time and should act as a reference point for professions associated with the buildings and construction sector, including clients, contractors, construction managers, designers, facility managers, building owners, tenant groups and others looking for integrated pathways to sustainability.

[edit] Contents

• The challenge ahead of us
• Sustainability and the Sustainability Development Goals
• The Global Transition to Sustainability
• Corporate Sustainability
• Managing Risk
• Sustainable and Green Finance
• Sustainable and Operational Assessment
• Sustainability Standards: Introduction and Global Review
• Sustainability Standards and Asset Value
• Life Cycle Analysis of Embodied and Operational Carbon and Energy
• Biodiversity Conservation and Construction
• Social Sustainability and Social Value

[edit] About the Author

Chris Gorse (MICOB) is Professor of Construction Engineering and Management at the University of Loughborough and Chair of the CIOB Sustainability Panel and Policy Forum. Leading major research projects for government and industry, with a focus on the built environment, quality and energy efficiency.
Bianca Drotleff (GradIEMA) is a project manager and works with organisations who look at new sustainability approaches and tools, circular economy, zero carbon and resilient business models

This article was published on the CIOB news and blog site as "Guide to Sustainability in the Built Environment", dated October 4, 2023 and appears on the CIOB Academy site under the same name.

--CIOB

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