Exploring the Inner Workings of the 2023 Sustainable Construction Sector Report
The global engineering, architecture, and consultancy company, Ramboll, has released a comprehensive study focusing on future trends and technology in the built environment. The study provides insights into the what, how, and why of sustainability across various sectors in the business environment.
According to the study, an increased focus on refurbishment is evident, with 60% of organizations showing a heightened interest in this area. This shift towards sustainability is further reflected in the prioritization of 'carbon neutrality', with 63% of respondents stating this as the most important trend.
Interestingly, the 'circular economy' is also gaining traction, with 63% of respondents considering it the most important trend for the construction and real estate sector, an increase from 49% in 2021. This trend is exemplified by companies like the Bauer Group, KONE, and startups such as carbmee, which are actively promoting sustainable practices and technologies in their construction projects.
However, the study also highlights some challenges that businesses face in embedding sustainability into their strategies. Higher investment costs are considered the biggest barrier preventing sustainability from being prioritized within organizations, with 61% of respondents stating this. This sentiment is particularly strong among UK respondents, with 66% believing higher investment costs to be a major issue.
Scott Brookes, Director for Ramboll, commented on the results of the study, emphasizing the importance of turning ambition into action. Brookes also highlighted the need to embrace existing building stock to achieve decarbonization and net-zero goals.
The study also reveals that 98% of respondents consider sustainability important for the success of business operations, an increase of 4% from 2021. However, only 50% of respondents have embedded net-zero buildings into their organization's business strategy towards 2030.
In addition, the study does not provide information about the percentage of respondents who believe higher investment costs are the biggest barrier preventing sustainability from being prioritized within organizations. It also does not provide information about the use of sustainability reporting schemes by organizations.
On a positive note, Lidl, a leading supermarket, has announced plans to change all milk caps to clear, improving their recyclability, and has committed to incorporating ocean bound plastic into its water bottle packaging. The company has also announced plans to stock less meat in its stores.
The study serves as a comprehensive guide for businesses looking to incorporate sustainability into their strategies, offering valuable insights into the current trends and challenges in this area. It underscores the need for businesses to address the issue of higher investment costs and to embrace existing building stock to achieve their sustainability goals.
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