Although TRIQS welcomes positive environmental news every day, Earth Day gives us a chance to celebrate the biggest sustainable developments in construction that will definitely shape the future.
Earth Day, on April 22nd, was first celebrated in 1970, which marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. To reduce the effects of the climate crisis, it is estimated that we need to cut our carbon emissions by 45% in the next decade.
So, to achieve this goal, here are our top 5 sustainable developments in construction that will work towards cutting emissions and reaching net zero goals.
Laing O’Rourke low-carbon concrete pledge
Laing O’Rourke announced this month that they will be switching to low-carbon concrete for all UK projects, with immediate effect!
They believe this will reduce their carbon footprint by 28%, which is the equivalent of planting 120,000 trees.
This isn’t the first low-carbon material news of 2023 – it was reported back in February that we can also expect zero-carbon cement to be a reality by 2025!
400km hydrogen pipeline planned for North Sea
In a move that will have a big impact across Europe, plans were unveiled earlier this year for a new 400km pipeline which will transport hydrogen produced by offshore wind farms to the continent.
Over 1 million tonnes of hydrogen will pass through each year; this is hoped to be in operation by 2035.
Retrofit framework
Whilst new buildings come equipped for green regulations, it’s also important to decarbonise older buildings – and a £1.48bn retrofit framework has been put together.
This is a great boost to fund the installation of solar panels, heat pumps, insulation and roofing.
Alongside this news, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the Energy Efficiency Taskforce, which will help reach the goal of reducing energy consumption of buildings by 15% before 2030.
Developing a timber neighbourhood
Plans have been announced for the UK’s biggest timber neighbourhood, which will incorporate 70 homes powered entirely by renewable energy.
Located in Lewes, East Sussex, it will use engineered structures and timber cassettes instead of concrete and steel. These will then be embellished with low-carbon and recycled materials. The estimated cost of the project is around £370bn.
UK’s first “biophilic” primary school
Tilbury Douglas was announced to be leading the project for a purpose-built biophilic school, which will also have net-zero emissions.
St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary School in Derby will be part of a pilot scheme for the Department of Education. Tilbury Douglas is set to deliver a natural ventilation strategy, air source heat pumps and solar panels for the school’s reopening in late 2023.
This is just one of many new net-zero educational schemes, and we can’t wait to see more announced in the near future!
Do you agree with our top 5 sustainable construction projects and schemes? Let us know!