The world as we know it is changing, and rapidly so. An ever increasing threat of climate change requires all industries to review and adapt their current strategies if we want to stand any chance of working towards a sustainable future – and the built environment plays a pivotal role in this.
The built environment is directly responsible for 25% the UK’s carbon emissions. A crucial aspect of this transformation lies in reducing embodied carbon emissions as much as possible, which is something that Jubb continuously strives for.
Which tools can help to reduce embodied carbon emissions?
Prior to implementing any carbon reduction processes, we must assess current building data and design structures to identify the biggest culprits. Thankfully, we have pulled together some of our go-to resources that aid our own decision-making, and lower our carbon footprint.
The Institution of Structural Engineers platform is frequently used by our team. Here, you can find their Sustainability Resource Map, which includes a collection of useful sources that provide guidance on green building – detailing the importance of everything from lean design, low carbon construction to roles and responsibilities.
Not only this, their Structural Carbon Tool can help engineers to quickly estimate the amount of embodied carbon in structures – a tool that we used as part of our Swansea Innovation Matrix project (link to case study).
By performing carbon assessments, our engineers are able to identify any carbon hotspots, whilst discovering opportunities for material reduction. This carbon calculator also enables them to understand the rough differences between different structural options, highlighting the best, most environmentally friendly alternatives. These findings can then be communicated with the design team, who can adapt the design and construction process accordingly.
These findings can then be communicated with the design team, who can adapt the design and construction process accordingly.
Through the input into life cycle assessment software on developments, such as One Click LCA, we’re able to provide structural information to other teams to support the delivery of environmentally friendly projects. One Click enables the comparison of various different design opportunities, allowing the project team to make informed decisions about the best route to take.
Our teams are backed with over 10 years of experience in Business Information Modelling. This enables Jubb to deliver to the highest standards, whilst also ensuring that sustainability is always at the forefront of our decision making.
By continually reviewing our BIM implementation and updating our working practices, we allow our engineers and technicians to add value at all points of the construction cycle.
With early stage analysis of building models, our team can adapt the design in real time, whilst seeing the financial and environmental impact this would have on the overall project. Through this, our engineers can determine key opportunities for embodied carbon reduction.
Continuing the carbon conversation
Conscious construction isn’t a new topic of conversation for us, but rather something that’s instilled into our ethos.
Understanding the ways that we can reduce embodied carbon has been an ongoing conversation, and it’s something we’re incredibly passionate about. One of these discussions involved us sitting down with our Plymouth Office Director, Ross Pomery, to explore what could be done to effectively reuse and repurpose existing building structures – a surefire way to limit carbon emissions.
Highlighting that the best way to do this is through “careful and diligent design review at the concept stages of a project”, as well as adopting a ‘lean’ approach to building materials. Structures should be built with the future in mind, so engineers should remove the ‘fat’ and instead opt for designs that minimise the demand for new materials – which Jubb is committed to.
Here at Jubb, we can offer high value advice at all stages of the project cycle from site acquisition and planning, through detailed design and procurement and onto asset maintenance and disposals. We believe in communicating with transparency, providing a critical opinion where necessary to benefit our clients and the environment in the long run. It’s important to work hand in hand throughout the design and construction process, interrogating the brief before the project progresses to establish any areas for improvement from the get go.
