6 Ways UK’s Construction Industry is Responding to Climate Change Challenges

Quick Blog Overview:

• The impact of climate change on the construction industry - design, physical works, and people

• The UK construction industry's impact on climate change - key statistics

• Solutions to climate change problems implemented so far

• What more can be done by the UK’s construction sector

• How Hireforce Welfare can assist with solutions to climate change problems. Reach out to us on 0345 3503793

Fifty years ago, climate change was never a core concern. In the last decade, the situation has drastically changed. 

Now, key decisions made by the UK government are centred around the environment and climate change. And rightly so, as climate change is a clear and present danger, threatening to raise global temperatures by 2.2-3.5°C by 2100. 

The construction industry is the UK's second-largest source of climate emissions. With Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, upping the cut in carbon emissions from 78% to 81% by 2035 in the recent COP29, the UK is moving quickly towards achieving its net zero pledge by 2050.

Construction Industry's Impact on Climate Change - Key Statistics

• The UK building sector directly contributes 25% of the country's climate emissions, second only to surface transport. 

• 19% of the total carbon footprint is operational emissions from the energy needed to heat, cool, and power buildings.

• In 2022, cement manufacturing contributed 8% to overall global carbon dioxide emissions.

• Construction activities contribute to 18% of the UK's large particle pollution (PM₁₀).

The construction industry’s impact on climate change is pushing organisations to make commitments towards lowering their carbon emissions. 

Before we discuss the UK construction industry’s solutions to climate change problems, let’s understand the impact of climate change on the construction industry and the possible solutions.

Impact of Climate Change on the Construction Industry

Climate change is already showing undesirable effects through global warming, extreme weather events, and unpredictable changes in weather patterns. All of these affect construction timelines and budgets. 

Extreme weather in the UK is estimated to extend project timelines by an average of 21%. Flooding and flood management cost the country a whopping £2.2 billion each year. Plus, exposed sectors like farming and construction lost six million labour hours and around £94 million in income due to heat exposure in 2021. 

The July heatwave in 2022 saw temperatures climb over 40 degrees C, prompting contractors to take preventative measures with personal protective equipment and water stations. This also led to a decrease of 0.8% in monthly construction output.

These are only some of the experienced effects of climate change, which is set to have a lasting impact on construction projects.

Here’s how:

Impact on Design

The nature and severity of extreme weather can worsen over time and further impact future buildings’ structure and stability. This needs to be accounted for right from the start of the construction, during the design process. 

The effects of climate change on the construction industry can impact larger and more complex projects, with project timelines stretching for a decade or more. This is why the unanticipated effects of climate change, climate mitigation, and adaptation need to be considered from the initial design stages.

Impact on Physical Works

Climate change brings about more extreme weather events, like high-intensity rainfall, and more variation in extreme hot and extreme cold weather. 

Increased winds affect lifting operations and work at height, while high heat and dry conditions can increase risks with hot works. Changing water tables is bound to affect excavation and tunnelling, as well as increasing the risk of flooding. 

Impact on People

The construction workforce faces the greatest risks and challenges from climate change. In the UK, employers have a duty of care towards workers by law, which includes providing protective clothing and basic welfare facilities, but this may not be enough.

Currently, there’s no maximum temperature limit for outdoor work, but the minimum is set at 13°C to 16°C for physical labour. However, rapidly changing weather conditions can result in extreme weather spells that can adversely affect on-site construction workers.

Overexposure to the sun and high heat can cause dehydration, dizziness, and fainting spells, while extreme flooding and snowfall lead to access restrictions and site safety concerns.

What Is Being Done?

1. Moving Towards a Net Zero Economy

A landmark Net Zero Strategy was introduced to support the UK’s transition into a low-carbon economy. To follow through, the government is infusing £90 billion of private investment and 440,000 well-paid jobs in green industries. 

To support this, McKinsey has created the Net Zero Built Environment Council, an alliance of industry stakeholders that focuses on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.

Here’s how UK construction firms are meeting ESG goals.

2. Scrutiny of Older Buildings

Since 2008, the green building industry has increased its focus on repairing old buildings and occupier spaces. 

Older buildings are being given an energy-efficient makeover with the Energy Star system receiving renewed interest. BREEAM and LEED systems are gaining traction for recognising and assessing the sustainability performance of buildings.

3. Sustainable Building Materials

As green construction methods are slowly gaining acceptance, introducing low-carbon concrete and green cement into the construction process promises to reduce CO2 emissions. 

The use of mycelium-based insulation, hempcrete and other bio-based materials is also being encouraged when building green and more eco-friendly buildings.

4. Energy Efficiency on Building Sites

Construction companies are placing increased focus on ensuring their building sites conserve energy wherever possible. These efforts may involve integrating popular renewable energy options, such as solar panels and battery storage, on-site. 

With hybrid technology becoming more accessible, Hireforce Welfare’s Ecosmart units are a valuable addition to your building site. As well as providing all the necessary welfare provisions mandated by the HSE regulations, our units are fitted with energy-efficient PIR-activated heating and emit low emissions using hybrid technology. 

Contact us to learn more about the distinctive features of our welfare units and how they contribute towards conserving energy.

5. Enhancing Circular Economy

Construction companies are leaning towards prefabrication and modular construction practices to minimise material wastage and speed up construction. They’re also being encouraged to carry out recycling practices on site to reduce waste generation and promote a circular economy.

The UK Green Building Council also promotes deconstruction instead of demolition, encouraging companies to reuse materials from old buildings and reduce pollution and wastage, instead of contributing to landfills.

6. Water Conservation Efforts

Water is a valuable resource in building projects, and water harvesting and greywater systems can reduce dependency on freshwater. 

In regions with altered water tables, companies are focusing on preventing flooding and soil erosion by installing Permeable Paving and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

What Needs to be Done?

The UK’s construction industry needs to act fast to limit the rate of global warming to 1.5°C. This means making radical change, something that goes beyond meeting the current challenges and contributes to a greener future.

As well as accelerating their efforts to adopt permanent solutions to climate change problems, construction companies should also implement the following steps:

1. Research and Development of More Sustainable Practices

The development of more sustainable materials and green construction methods is the need of the hour. Instead of conventional concrete, the construction industry should prioritise using less carbon-dependent and more environmentally efficient methods of production.

Additionally, using BIM (or building information modelling) and related digital tools helps generate a more performance-driven design approach towards construction.

2. Adoption of Sustainability Metrics

Measuring and certifying sustainability needs to move beyond design and focus on performance. 

Backed by the industry, the Better Building Partnership’s Design for Performance initiative ensures new office developments meet the performance gap between the original design intent and how a building truly performs in use.

3. Implementation of Option X29

Option X29 sets a formal precedent for commitment to climate goals by infusing a set of Climate Change Requirements (CCR). 

These CCRs focus on key areas, including on-site recycling, the use of renewable energy, minimising waste, and promoting eco-friendly designs that help firms fulfil their global climate commitments.

Hireforce Welfare’s Solutions to Climate Change Problems

Building and construction sites have historically been associated with high resource consumption. The use of eco-friendly welfare units may seem like a minor addition to address a large problem, but these facilities can set the benchmark for sustainability with your workforce, the frontline of your project. 

Upgrading your facilities to eco-friendly choices can have a positive ripple effect, triggering a chain reaction that goes beyond the construction site.

Hireforce’s Ecosmart Welfare Units are designed to:

• Reduce energy consumption with our hybrid eco-technology

• Save up to £1,593 or 2,844 litres (on our 10-person unit with office)

• Emit lower carbon emissions with our low energy and PIR-activated LED lights

• Minimise power usage

• Lower noise pollution

Hiring our welfare units encourages you to take a step forward in your journey to sustainability. Partner with us to make a dual and lasting impact: reduce your ecological footprint and lower your operational expenses, benefitting the planet and your project’s budget.

Email or call us today to learn more about our range of well-maintained and eco-friendly welfare units.