DOI : 10.17577/Buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, with 28% attributable to operational emissions (e.g., heating and cooling), and the remaining 11% to materials and construction. Construction has long-term effects, including habitat destruction and fragmentation, soil erosion, water and air pollution, dust, and noise pollution. The building industry additionally consumes a significant share of raw materials, generating approximately 35% of waste in some parts of the world. Energy inefficiency is another problem: approximately 75% of the building stock lacks energy efficiency, and 85% of current buildings will still be in use in 30 years’ time. Construction companies wishing to reduce their environmental impact must approach this goal from a multifaceted perspective, including compliance consulting, optimal planning and design, and long-term monitoring.Â
Ensuring Due Compliance with Environmental Regulations
Across the globe, governments are imposing strict sustainability requirements for construction and building performance. For instance, in the UK, construction businesses are required to report their sustainability performance under Environmental, Social, and Governance frameworks. In the US, many jurisdictions have adopted the International Green Construction Code, which sets minimum requirements for sustainable construction practices, including energy conservation, water efficiency, material selection, site development, and indoor environmental quality. In January 2025, the EU’s Construction Products Regulation came into force, supporting innovative construction techniques and enhancing sustainability. Construction companies and developers seeking to ensure compliance should opt for environmental compliance consulting to ensure their sustainability efforts are sound from the outset, rather than incurring costly remediation to meet environmental regulations.
 Reducing Carbon Footprints at the Planning and Design Stages
When designing buildings and other construction projects, companies must consider sustainability from the design stage, using environmentally friendly materials such as engineered wood instead of traditional concrete and steel. They must also invest in early lifecycle assessment (LCA), which helps planners identify lower-carbon resources. Energy efficiency is another major priority in construction and operation; retrofitting and passive design elements can help reduce long-term utility emissions. Finally, companies must prioritize reuse, recycling, and modular design, all of which reduce waste and material demand. The construction industry currently uses approximately 40% of all raw materials on the planet, resulting in direct habitat destruction, soil compaction and erosion, and impacts on local biodiversity, indicating a need to rely on existing materials.
Embracing Smart Operational Tactics
The footprint of operations can be reduced by adopting electric or low-emission construction equipment, thereby reducing on-site air pollution and noise. Oslo, for instance, is leading the charge against noise and air pollution, thanks to the use of silent electric machinery that has replaced machines running on petrol and diesel. It is equally vital to plan waste management to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. Material procurement is another top priority, with many organizations now purchasing locally produced materials to reduce transport-related emissions. Thanks to new digital tools, building information modeling, and sustainability-tracking platforms, constructors can optimize resource use and identify areas for reduction.
 Long-Term Monitoring and Adaptation
Construction companies must invest in continuous monitoring during and after construction, adapt to emerging needs, and continually improve their sustainability efforts. Typically, monitoring is governed by a construction environmental management plan, which stipulates site-specific procedures for analyzing environmental impacts and responding to them. These plans are considered “live documents” because they are updated regularly to address issues related to air, water, and noise. Sensors and on-site inspections can help identify problems such as water turbidity, dust emissions, and noise levels. These plans also address biodiversity efforts, including monitoring the condition of plants and animals near sensitive habitats. Modern monitoring systems rely on sensors and data analytics tools to collect and analyze data that can indicate emerging trends or threshold breaches.
Large-scale construction projects have a significant impact on habitats, flora, fauna, and people living in proximity to construction sites. They not only consume a significant percentage of the earth’s resources but also cause air and noise pollution. It is vital for construction companies to implement a series of measures, including placing sustainability at the forefront of planning and design, material sourcing, and monitoring. Prompt action must be taken when thresholds are exceeded to mitigate damage and preserve the health of humans, animals, and habitats.
