The Future of Green Construction: How Technology Drives Sustainability in the Building Sector

According to the UN Environment Programme, the buildings and construction sector accounted for over 34% of energy demand and around 37% of energy-related CO2 emissions in 2021. However, with advancing technology, the industry can significantly reduce its environmental impact.

Interest in green building is growing among regulators, investors, and consumers, projecting the industry to reach $1.3 trillion (£1 trillion) by 2030, a 138% increase from 2021. This means technology distributors have an opportunity to drive revenue by offering solutions that support this growth.

The Rise of Sustainable Construction

Green building, also known as sustainable construction, aims to reduce the impact on the environment and human health. This is achieved through the use of environmentally responsible and resource-efficient materials and processes.

Here are the key benefits:

  • Lowering carbon emissions and combating climate change with energy-efficient designs and technologies, such as eco-friendly cement and heat recovery systems.
  • Preserving critical resources like water and materials through efficient utilisation.
  • Enhancing public health by promoting designs that improve energy efficiency and create healthy, comfortable indoor environments.

The Role of Technology in Green Construction

In the past, sustainable building practices faced challenges due to the difficulty in finding the right materials and systems. However, climate change has heightened the urgency, drawing attention and investments toward green construction.

Technology, among other forces, now plays a pivotal role in this transformation.

Driving Forces Behind Green Building Growth

New Funding

Lawmakers worldwide are supporting green construction through financial incentives. For instance, in the U.S., the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits, grants, and other funding for green projects. Similarly, the EU’s European Green Deal boosts funding for sustainable building through various programs.

As a result, the increasing impacts of climate change are driving more interest and accessibility in sustainable construction.

Growing Regulations

With escalating climate and weather events, regulators are enforcing sustainable construction practices. For example, U.S. states are adopting net-zero-energy building codes and higher energy efficiency standards. Likewise, the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive sets minimum standards for energy-efficient construction improvements.

Better Access to Materials and Technology

New funding and compliance requirements are advancing materials and technologies in green building. Consequently, investment in green construction technologies reached about $2.2 billion (£1.8 billion) in 2022, with expected continued growth.

Bluebeam’s Contribution to Sustainable Construction

Technology is revolutionising the sector by providing real-time data and insights on different designs and materials. This optimisation enhances building operations, boosting energy efficiency and reducing costs.

According to Professor Chris Gorse of Loughborough University, collaboration between construction teams is key to driving sustainability.

For instance, Bluebeam Revu and Bluebeam Cloud enhance team collaboration and efficiency:

  • Bluebeam Revu: Offers customisable document management, markup, and automation tools within a collaborative space called Studio. Team members can log in from any desktop with Revu installed, access projects, and work together in real-time.
  • Bluebeam Cloud: Extends collaboration to the field, enabling team members to share the latest drawings and documents, and manage workflows from any device without installation.

Together, these tools ensure teams can efficiently mark up, measure, and manage projects, regardless of location.

Join the Sustainable Construction Movement

In this blog post, we’re sharing with you Bluebeam’s ebook “The Next Frontier in Sustainable Construction”. To make the most of this resource, you can explore and share with your customers Bluebeam’s insights, including:

  • The current development of green construction and the driving forces.
  • Green-building technologies.
  • Green building certifications and standards, such as LEED, Green Globes, WELL Building Standard, BREEAM, and Living Building Challenge.
  • Case studies.

What’s the next step? Get in touch with Raz Shah, our dedicated Product Manager for Bluebeam, to start your journey with us.

You can also register for our Portal or send us a message at sales@qbssoftware.com.

 

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