From a sustainability perspective, the selection of materials used in building projects is a critical activity. This course discusses life cycle analysis (LCA) and other evaluation methods to determine the environmental impact of a variety of common construction materials.
Government policies that impose a cost on externalities are essential for fostering sustainable buildings. Unfortunately, some governments get in the way of addressing these externalities with costly delay processes or an overly-zealous program of federal land management.
The Influence of Government Policies on Building Materials Choices
Buildings are a major contributor to the world’s carbon footprint and natural resource depletion, with the total life cycle of a residential building accounting for 40% of global energy consumption, 36% of raw materials, and 24% of water use (Sutcliffe, 2009). Government policies are playing an important role in encouraging the construction industry to adopt sustainable practices. For example, new government regulations such as the UK Building Regulations Part L require all buildings to be more energy efficient. This requires builders to source alternative energy systems and low-carbon building materials. In addition, many governments have established agencies to promote green construction. These agencies provide a variety of tools and incentives to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.
Government policy can influence the choice of building materials by influencing the price level, demand, and supply of those materials. This includes factors such as the availability of raw materials; technology for extracting and processing those materials; and the manufacturing capacity of the production industries (Ofori, 1990). In addition to government agencies, professional bodies and trade associations can also play an important role in influencing the choice of building materials.
A government can reduce the environmental impact of building materials by requiring the disclosure of product-level GWP information via EPDs. Such policies are often referred to as Buy Clean or green procurement programs and are common in the United States.
Cost
Sustainable materials may be more expensive upfront, but they can save builders money in the long run. They also require less maintenance and are durable enough to last a lifetime. Building with green materials can help reduce the carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency. In addition, they can also help meet environmental and performance requirements set out in government regulations.
Currently, the cost of building materials has increased due to supply challenges and higher fuel costs. Construction companies need to consider these higher prices when planning projects. These higher prices can cause them to lose potential business and may even result in job losses.
The price of a specific type of building material depends on a number of factors, including availability, production capacity, and quality. Several countries that lack the raw materials needed to produce a particular building material must import it. In addition, the cost of a building material can depend on the technology used for its extraction and processing.
Prices for some of the most common building materials have stabilized and begun to fall, but they remain higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. These increases are reflected in data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks changes in producer prices for “inputs to residential construction less energy.” The BLS’ “inputs-to-industry indexes” offer additional breakdowns that can provide more detail for specific types of construction.
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of building materials can vary based on where they are produced, their source, and the technology used to extract them. Using an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), experts can assess the impact of each material on the environment. For example, while steel is a popular building material due to its durability, it takes much more energy and fossil fuels to produce than wood or concrete. This results in high embodied energy content, which contributes to global warming. Additionally, the mining of some minerals can cause harm to the environment. For example, asbestos is a toxic substance that causes cancer and other health problems. It also inhibits plant growth and pollutes water sources.
Government policies can help reduce the environmental impacts of buildings by requiring that buildings use green materials. These are based on renewable rather than nonrenewable resources. They also consider the full lifecycle of the product, including raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and disposal. These include zoning laws, environmental product declarations, and building codes.
In addition, reducing the embodied carbon emissions of buildings is important. This can be accomplished by changing the building materials used in the building, limiting waste during construction, and using recycled building products. These measures can also reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released during construction. However, this is only a short-term solution. It is necessary to develop new technologies that will lower embodied carbon emissions in the long term.
Safety
Several government policies influence building materials choices, including those that promote safety in construction. One of the most important is Prevention through Design, which focuses on eliminating hazards and risks to workers “as early as possible in the design and re-design of facilities; work methods and processes; tools, equipment, and machinery; products; and work environments.”
Another policy that affects building material choice is energy efficiency requirements. These requirements are designed to reduce the amount of energy used by buildings, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions and prevents reliance on fossil fuels. Energy-efficient materials also offer improved fire resistance, helping to prevent the spread of fires and allowing occupants to escape safely.
In addition to reducing the environmental impact of building, sustainable materials are low-maintenance and cost less than traditional materials. They also help reduce the need for scarce natural resources and minimize waste. Additionally, many governments provide tax incentives to encourage the use of sustainable building materials.
These advantages make sustainable materials an excellent option for a variety of projects, from homes and offices to schools and hospitals. As more builders embrace these materials, they can save costs and contribute to a greener future. The future of the planet depends on it. Governments should support the industry and encourage the development of new housing, rather than creating roadblocks that limit production and increase costs.