Looking after our planet should be standard practice when it comes to architecture, not a bolt-on service.
The sustainability of buildings is central to what we do at Cityzen. It is something we’ve been committed to improving since the practice was established back in 2010. Through environmentally conscious designs, building practices and products, we can help minimise the impact of construction projects on our planet.
As champions of sustainable construction, we believe it’s our duty to help focus clients’ attention on choice of materials, energy consumption and carbon (and other) emissions.
The argument for sustainable construction
Let’s look at the context for improving sustainability within the construction industry:
- 97% of scientists are in agreement that humans are having an impact on the planet; take a look at how this % is made up [being geeky, we like a good source for all our data].
- Year on year, we continue to eat our way through the earth’s resources at a faster and faster rate.
- The aim of the 2015 international Paris Climate Agreement was to limit global warming to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial temperatures.
- Yet pollution from global fossil fuel production plans will overshoot the Paris climate goals according to a UN report.
- The construction industry is currently one of the most polluting, wasteful and energy inefficient on the planet. According to the UK Green Building Council, around 10% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions are associated with construction.
Improving the sustainability of building projects
Modern buildings that we live and work in can achieve a much lighter carbon footprint than their predecessors.
Although creating net zero commercial buildings will be more challenging (but is something we are constantly thinking about), there’s plenty we can be doing right now to transform the industry and deliver sustainable construction.