Construction Magazine September 2017 | Page 16

SUSTAINABILITY cities to be effectively a net zero carbon balance – in other words , what we use , we give back ? I think that ’ s where cities really have to become not only more efficient but also more self-sustaining .”
The impact on the natural world is consequently leading the built environment industry to look towards new behaviours , technologies and processes to reduce future damage , decrease emissions , and guarantee long-term solutions . This will affect not only new buildings , but also existing buildings that are becoming increasingly unsustainable in their current form .

“ Cities really have to become not only more efficient but also more self-sustaining ”

– George Adams , Director of Energy and Engineering , SPIE
New design solutions The built environment sector is undergoing technical changes , material changes , and new complete design solutions in relation to the ergonomics of the building , its design and construction , alongside its operations . “ If we ’ re to live and move towards two-degree or more of global warming , we can ’ t do it by just efficiency on its own . We ’ re going to need to capture the carbon out of the atmosphere because we ’ ve already put so much into it ,”
16 September 2017