Sustainable design is more popular than ever. It makes buildings more efficient for clients and improves the environment. Companies and crews should know why green construction is necessary for the planet to better understand why they should plan more sustainable projects.

Reducing smaller, personal carbon footprints helps the environment, but greater efforts within the construction industry make a significant and lasting impact. Green building projects will result in the following benefits, fueling a greener future with an industry that people will always need.

It Reduces CO2 Pollution

People often relate CO2 pollution with massive freight trucks or burning coal. Although those contribute to CO2 atmospheric pollution, the construction industry accounted for 39% of global CO2 emissions in 2018 by manufacturing materials and using traditional machinery. Any green efforts within manufacturing or site construction will reduce this significant contribution and make a positive impact.

Reducing CO2 is more critical in some areas than others. Recognizing which cities need the most improvement will target green efforts and create change where the earth needs it the most. Cities like Riyadh and Tokyo top the CO2 emissions charts when compared with other leading global cities. Construction companies in these locations can set a crucial industry standard and reverse some of this pollution.

It Conserves Resources

Vehicles like bulldozers and dump trucks run on gasoline. Burning one gallon of gas produces 19.64 pounds of CO2, further polluting the environment and contributing to global warming. Green construction efforts that replace these vehicles with electric equivalents would eliminate this waste. More research and production will make electric construction vehicles possible if the industry focuses on this need.

Even with progress seemingly down the road, the future looks greener with promising related news. Europe sold a million electric vehicles in 2018, signaling that it’s easier to produce and sell green vehicle alternatives. If the construction industry funds this kind of development, it will conserve worldwide resources by cutting off the need for gasoline.

It Redefines the Industry

One-time efforts like recycling on a construction site help the environment, but the earth needs long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recover. Construction management teams can make lasting changes with eco-friendly materials instead of opting for traditional sources. Reclaimed wood, bamboo scaffolding and precast concrete slabs are just a few ways to redefine industry practices and make it permanently greener.

It Empowers Individuals

Clients with sustainable lives become empowered when they have more choices within the construction industry. Instead of buying a home with few eco-friendly features, they can pick green roofing materials that regulate their home’s temperature using natural materials or layered designs. It’s permanent change that improves their environmental impact and requires little extra effort to maintain.

They can also improve their long-term health with sustainable features. Green materials don’t use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that result in cancer and respiratory issues. Improving their health further empowers clients and makes green construction necessary for their health and the planet.

It Improves the Economy

Going green often means buying from local businesses. It cuts out the need for national or international transportation that uses gasoline. Redirecting purchases to local companies revives the economy and improves the city. It increases state taxes, which goes back into enhancing roadways and funding green infrastructure.

Even small recurring purchases give local leaders and businesses more funding for sustainable campaigns while keeping money away from funding transportation pollution. Those businesses can also stay open and grow, resulting in more jobs. 

Green Construction Is Necessary for the Planet

These are just a few reasons why green construction is necessary for the planet. As more companies pick up this consumer trend and transform industry practices, people and the earth will become safer and healthier.

Author bio: Jane is an environmental writer who covers topics in sustainable construction and green building materials and the editor-in-chief of Environment.co.

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