The built environment is currently responsible for 45% of the UK’s carbon emissions, and as the conversation around sustainability and environmental concerns continue to be at the forefront of everyone’s business decisions, it is important that the construction industry does not ignore the part it can play in making a difference.
Experts in construction around the UK are working hard to find new and innovative ways to combat climate change and achieve a better outcome for our planet. But what can you as an individual be doing in your workplace to create a more sustainable space? Read our tips below.
Encourage a greener commute
Put forward ideas for a cycle to work scheme to HR or encourage yourself and your colleagues to utilise existing schemes more often during the warmer months as part of a competition or initiative.
Ensure public transport is stated as an option for visitors to your office
The aftereffects of the covid-19 pandemic have people wanting to work from home more than ever, make sure you utilise the options to do so if you can
Liaise with Environmental Advisors and Sustainability Managers to better understand the project's sustainability strategies/policies.
If you are working in a project management role, making sure you are regularly engaging with the environmental and sustainability teams is crucial in ensuring your strategy and planning can accommodate and adapt to a more sustainable outcome. Having expert insight from these people will often make you realise new ways of integrating sustainability into your long-term goals that you may not have considered before.
Go paperless
This one may seem obvious but paper usage in offices is still on the rise. While we are all moving towards a more digital-focussed comms output, there are some changes that can make the world of difference.
Improved document workflow via cloud sharing and version control can cut out inefficiencies and avoid out of date versions of documents being printed.
Using note taking apps in meetings can easily be shared afterwards, and avoids time wasted rifling through your messy notebook
Think about digital business cards, not just for yourself, but for keeping others. Encourage people in the office to use Apps like CamCard and ABBYY, which scan and store a business card on your smartphone. Perfect for conferences or expos.
Consider some 'light green' quick wins at work
Noticed that tap is still leaking? Or seen appliances that are no longer being used are still plugged in? Raise these with the building manager or relevant person in your office. Small changes such as these are easy fixes to work towards a greener space. You can encourage positive rhetoric and repeated behaviour amongst colleagues by creating an incentive, where they feel that they have made a difference in exchange for a reward. Other great examples include:
Keep windows and skylights clean and clear to make the most of the daylight
When the heating or air con is on, make sure to avoid leaving doors to the corridor and toilets are open
Move away office furniture from radiators
Re-use old envelopes by sticking a label over the previous address. Or contact Wastewatch UK for envelope re-use stickers.
We can all do our bit to contribute to a better future, and implementing greener policies into our management of projects helps to keep up the important conversation about our responsibilities as professionals in the construction industry.
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