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As sustainability becomes increasingly central to construction practices, it is clear that collaboration and technology will be the key drivers of positive change in the years ahead. By harnessing the potential of these tools and working together towards common sustainability goals, the construction industry can not only meet the demands of the present but also leave a lasting legacy of environmentally conscious and socially responsible construction practices for future generations to emulate.
Following the 2023 Construction Industry Survey launched in August 2023, we hosted a webinar together with Civil Contractors New Zealand, bringing together a sustainability panel to discuss what sustainable infrastructure construction looks like and how we can enable it.
Let's delve into the insightful perspectives shared by each panellist at the webinar on how the industry can navigate challenges and leverage innovation to build a more sustainable and efficient future.
Civil Contractors New Zealand hosted a webinar on where civil construction is at with sustainability in partnership with Teletrac Navman, featuring representatives from CCNZ, Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Auckland Council healthy Waters, Teletrac Navman and Fulton Hogan.
Infrastructure Sustainability Council
Emelee Mellor, Infrastructure and Sustainability Council’s New Zealand Lead for IS Ratings and Delivery stressed the importance of embracing sustainability in infrastructure development. Sustainability is not a choice but an imperative; Mellor urged a fundamental shift in perspective, moving beyond debating whether we need to be sustainable to focusing on delivering infrastructure projects in sustainable and resilient ways, particularly in light of our net-zero carbon future and setting a new standard for the industry to progress into the future.
Mellor highlighted that infrastructure is responsible for a staggering 79% of greenhouse gas emissions and 88% of adaptation costs, underlining its central role in fulfilling international commitments like the Paris Agreement and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). To measure and ensure sustainability in infrastructure projects, she advocated for the use of the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating tool, which covers the entire project lifecycle and aligns with the quadruple bottom line and UN SDGs.
The IS Essentials framework empowers projects of all sizes to excel in sustainability. Mellor's call to action was clear: it's time to build a sustainable legacy that benefits current and future generations while safeguarding our environment, society and economy.
Auckland Council
Head of Sustainable Outcomes, Tom Mansell, shared insights into Auckland Council’s Sustainable Outcomes Toolkit. Auckland Council is responsible for stormwater infrastructure management across the region, and in 2019, it introduced the Sustainable Outcomes Toolkit with the aim of integrating sustainability into everyday contract practices. Over time, this toolkit has been modified and adopted council-wide to foster tangible sustainability outcomes.
The toolkit prioritises social and environmental sustainability, enhancing diversity, creating quality employment opportunities, engaging local suppliers, achieving zero waste, and striving for net-zero carbon emissions. Notably, Auckland Council implemented a 20% weighting on sustainability when awarding contracts, encouraging suppliers to invest resources in sustainability initiatives.
Mansell also emphasised the importance of collaboration among council, designers, suppliers, and contractors to ensure the fulfilment of commitments made during the tender process. As Auckland Council progresses towards its sustainability targets, it actively measures and reports on diesel burn, carbon emissions, and waste data to establish realistic goals, fostering a collaborative environment to expedite progress in environmental and social sustainability initiatives.
Teletrac Navman
Teletrac Navman’s, Construction Industry Specialist, Jim French, is a strong advocate for technology-driven sustainability in construction, emphasising technology's crucial role in advancing sustainability within the industry. Jim stressed the need for real-time information and data sharing, pointing out that waiting weeks to access critical project data is no longer viable. In a world where customers demand transparency and accountability, this instant availability of data becomes paramount.
Furthermore, Jim explained how technology can be instrumental in managing various aspects of construction projects with sustainability in mind. Technology offers an array of tools for environmentally conscious construction practices, from monitoring and mitigating traffic congestion to minimising noise pollution and preserving local sites of historical significance. French continues to note that environmental sustainability and governance often overlap in this context, with technology serving as a bridge to unite the two.
A key takeaway from French's insights is the pressing need for knowledge sharing within the construction industry. The ability to quickly and effectively disseminate information enables better project management, informed decision-making, and, ultimately, improved sustainability practices.
Fulton Hogan
Lastly, Ilka Loubser, National Sustainability Manager at Fulton Hogan, shifted the focus towards the sustainability challenges faced by the industry, with a particular emphasis on decarbonisation. Ilka identified three primary challenges in addressing this issue:
- Growth: The need for scalable technology to transition from traditional diesel-powered fleets to more sustainable options, such as electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- Electrical security: As the industry embraces electrification to reduce emissions, the challenge of ensuring a stable and secure electrical infrastructure becomes apparent. Meeting increasing electricity demands while maintaining reliability is a complex task.
- Technical acceptance: The industry must also overcome the hurdle of gaining widespread acceptance for low-carbon products and innovative solutions. This involves educating stakeholders and dispelling doubts about the feasibility and effectiveness of sustainable alternatives.
Loubser outlined a hierarchical approach to sustainability that begins with energy reduction, followed by electrification, and eventually transitions to fuel conversion. This phased strategy aims to reduce carbon emissions and systematically move towards more sustainable practices.
Additionally, Loubser noted the importance of collaboration as a cornerstone of sustainable construction. Sharing risks and working closely with clients and stakeholders is essential for overcoming industry-wide challenges and fostering innovation.
Collaboration and Technology
The construction industry is at a critical juncture where sustainability, collaboration, and technology are converging to shape its future. The insights shared by the presenters offered valuable perspectives on how construction companies are addressing challenges and embracing innovation to build a more sustainable and efficient industry.
The Panelists
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Michelle Farrell. Technical Manager, Civil Contractors New Zealand |
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James French, Construction Industry Specialist, Teletrac Navman |
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Tom Mansell, Head of Sustainable Outcomes, Auckland Council Healthy Waters |
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Emelee Mello. NZ Lead, Ratings, Infrastructure Sustainability Council |
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Ilka Loubser, National Sustainability Manager, Fulton Hogan |