At iTalent we advise, follow and recruit for the construction industry here within the Middle East, not only in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but in Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. So if you are looking for exceptional talent to join your construction form, please reach out to us at the end of this article and we will be happy to help.
The relevancy of practising sustainable construction.
Regarding Sustainability in construction, we have noticed a rapid rise in interest and demand over the last few years in this area. The goals of sustainable construction are to reduce the industry’s impact on the environment.
Sustainable construction methods include:
- Using recyclable and renewable materials and products.
- A reduction in energy consumption and ongoing wastage.
- Creating a healthy, environmentally friendly building and atmosphere.
- Natural environment conservation.
- Energy intensive emissions.
The importance of sustainable construction
Aside from the potential for building over naturally wild and indigenous local habitats, the construction and engineering industry energy use can be very high. For example; often the heavy machinery used in building construction still relies heavily on fossil fuels, and even inefficient electricity usage can result in the unnecessary consumption of polluting fossil fuels further down the energy supply line. In fact, the construction industry consumes an incredible 36% of worldwide fossil fuel energy usage and produces 40% of the world’s Co2 emissions.
The shipping and pre-fabrication of construction materials can also have a large impact on carbon emissions (Co2). For example, mining for raw earth materials can often pollute the local water tables. The manufacture of concrete has resulted in over 2.8bn tonnes of Co2, an output number which is only going to keep growing as an astronomical 4bn tonnes of concrete is poured every year throughout construction projects world-wide.
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Call us on: +971 (0)4 421 3490 or Email us at: info@italent-me.com or complete the Contact us form.Construction can also result in releasing hazardous waste as a by-product, and the improper disposal of such waste can result in pollution that affects not just the environment, but also the health of people living in that area even years after the building project is completed.
Challenges of sustainable construction
Adopting sustainable construction methods is not an overnight process; there are challenges to face, the greatest of which is not the cost incurred. There will always be pressure on construction organisations to reduce costs where possible, but there are still general concerns that sustainable construction methods will cost an organisation more.
Trends reveals that almost 40% of UAE firms reported that affordability was the greatest challenge in adopting sustainable construction practices and policies. Almost 50% of Middle Eastern Construction firms stated that they expected green buildings to incur higher primary production costs. These higher costs can not only be down to production and materials but in logistics and obtaining quality human resource.
Twin that with 34% of Middle Eastern construction firms reporting that they are encountering increasing client demand for greener environmentally friendly buildings, and you can understand that many construction firms fear that they will be caught in the middle of demand and continually increasing production costs.
However, there is a ray of light at the end of the sustainable construction tunnel: and this is the perceived value of green buildings. Purchasers of a green building feel they are worth up to at least 7% more than a traditionally built building, which is due to the reduced on-going operating costs that result from constructing energy-efficient buildings. This greater perceived future value saving can help offset any additional costs that might result from a sustainable construction practises outlaid in the short term building cycle.
Benefits of sustainable construction
The truth of the matter is that green buildings do come with lower future operating costs. In fact, research suggests that the use of the latest sustainable technologies in construction processes could potentially deliver a remarkable €410bn annually in cost savings on global energy spending.
There are also direct savings available for your organisation; by reducing waste output, for example, you will reduce the fees charged by your waste management company. By adopting more efficient vehicles, you will save on additional fuel costs.
And there is one more benefit that could have a huge benefit on your company; sustainable construction can help your organisation’s reputation by demonstrating your sense of corporate social responsibility.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Awareness and interest in CSR, the idea that businesses should support good causes, is greater than ever. There is no question that CSR results in positive PR, but it can also influence the end-buyer purchasing decisions and related behaviour; when prices are similar, 91% of consumers are likely to switch to a different company if it’s associated with a good cause and has a lower carbon footprint or is more sustainable.
The corporate social responsibility mandate can be distributed amongst the supply chain. If your organisation only contracted suppliers that were committed to reducing their carbon footprint, for instance, this is positive public relations for your construction organisation.
ISO14001 Certification
ISO14001 Certification Demonstrates Your Commitment To The Environment
ISO14001 maps out the criteria for an Environmental Management System, which can be used to demonstrate to a business’ stakeholders that the impact on the environment is being measured and improved.
Being able to boast of your green credentials will be a boost both to the natural environment, to the communities surrounding the build, and to your organisation’s reputation.
Discover more about iTalent and our recruitment offerings for the UAE, Saudi Arabia and broader Middle Eastern markets.
italent was founded in 2012 in the United Arab Emirates born in a challenging market, one key reason for our success is we have unparalleled commitment and determination to deliver the highest levels of recruitment and executive search.
These fundamentals allowed us to build a reputation and gain the trust and respect of some of the biggest clients and most Senior candidates in the Region. Our team is all seasoned professionals, and with over 100 years of recruitment experience in our office, we are a key part of our clients’ Talent Acquisition Strategies.
You can contact us by using our contact form or call us on +971 (0)4 421 3490 or email us at info@italent-me.com and we will be happy to help.
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