Reshape the way we build
Given the essential human need for shelter, the construction sector significantly influences soil, water, and air due to its extensive global production volume. Studies reveal that the construction industry contributes to 25-40% of global carbon emissions. Challenges such as the intricate nature of construction, unique project impacts and locations, and the complexity introduced by collaboration among diverse entities pose significant obstacles to achieving lasting change within the sector. Despite its non-homogeneous and dispersed structure, substantial efforts have been made in recent years to reduce the environmental impact of the industry. Key areas of focus include material selection, eco-friendly design, waste management, and energy efficiency.
Eco-Friendly Design
In a construction project, it is almost impossible to make or implement big changes after the construction at site starts mainly due to the additional budget needed for such a change. Therefore, design phase of a construction project is one of the most critical phases. It is possible to reduce/minimize the environmental impacts of the building with the decisions to be taken at the design stage. At this stage, it is important to pay attention to the selection of materials to be used in the building and to use natural building materials with less impact on the environment. Similarly, it is necessary to take actions towards the use of ‘renewable energy sources’ in the buildings. Considering 50-75 years of life for a typical structure, the use phase contributes to the higher environmental impacts than construction phase. Therefore, implementation of renewable energy sources such as solar energy and integration of passive solutions such as rainwater collection system help to minimize the environmental impacts of the building during the use phase and to move towards a net zero emission structure.
Waste Management
In every phase of a construction project, various types of waste are generated, spanning from the initial construction to the end-of-life of the structure. Similarly, waste is produced during the building's usage and even in the demolition processes. It is essential to plan waste management for each distinct life cycle, from the design stage to the end-of-life of the structure. Promoting and implementing solutions that encourage increased reuse and recycling play a crucial role in reducing the carbon impact of structures.
Fuel Efficiency
During construction, different vehicles and machineries are used on site and this causes pollution. Electrification of the vehicles and equipment used in the field and/or towards using greener fuel sources help to reduce the environmental impacts. In addition, with route and transport optimization, it is possible to both reduce the idling time of the vehicles and reduce the total distance traveled.
Energy Efficiency
From a life cycle perspective, considering 50-75 years of building life, environmental impacts of a building during its use phase are usually higher than the impacts that occur during construction. For this reason, the energy efficiency of buildings is important to achieve net zero target. It is possible to increase the energy efficiency with improving the efficiency of insulation materials, properly adjusting the local climate conditions (wind, flood, sun exposure time etc.) during the design process, enhancing efficiency in lighting systems and using of renewable energy.
What Can We Do Together?
With more than 20 years of experience METSIMS offers consultancy services to construction companies, guiding them through the entire lifecycle of a building—from the selection of building materials to the effects of demolition at the end-of-life and beyond. Through studies conducted with a science-based life cycle perspective, companies gain insights into the environmental effects of the construction materials they plan to use, enabling the establishment of eco-design practices right from the design stage. Building-specific Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies allow for a detailed examination of the environmental effects of an entire building, from the design process to the step-by-step demolition, identifying hotspots and critical areas. In the subsequent stages, companies receive consultation on reducing the environmental impacts of their structures through quantitative and comparative studies. Explore our expertise in this domain and engage with our team of experts!
Get to know our team of Construction Sector Consultants.
Orhan Atacan
Sustainability Manager
Yıldıray Yılmaz
Senior Sustainability Advisor
Gülbahar Korkusuz
Senior Sustainability Advisor
Furkan Can Akalın
Sustainability Consultant
Sagi Alony BSc MSc
Sustainability Consultant
Orhan Atacan
Sustainability Manager
Yıldıray Yılmaz
Senior Sustainability Advisor
Gülbahar Korkusuz
Senior Sustainability Advisor
Can Sönmez
Senior Sustainability Advisor
Furkan Can Akalın
Sustainability Consultant
Sagi Alony BSc MSc
Sustainability Consultant