Missing the green: five years on from the Rio Earth Summit, Britain has met modest targets for cutting energy consumption and pollution, but is construction pulling its weight?
Article Abstract:
The United Nations New York summit aimed to review environmental targets set at the Rio Earth Summit five years ago. The construction industry has worked to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but there is criticism that the industry has placed emphasis on recycling base materials which has little impact on the larger picture. Also claims about low energy buildings have been hyped out of all proportion, according to Nigel Howard, associate at Davis Langdon Consultancy. However, Howard believes that the private finance initiative will be beneficial, as contractors will have to consider running costs and material longevity for the first time.
Publication Name: Building
Subject: Construction and materials industries
ISSN: 0007-3318
Year: 1997
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Green cross code
Article Abstract:
There is growing environmental pressure on the construction industry to stop using PVCu. Greenpeace has publishing a new guide aimed at persuading architects not to use PVCu, which Greenpeace claims is harmful to the environment. The new guide, 'Building the Future - A Guide to Building Without PVCu', provides advice on alternatives to PCVu. Greenpeace says that both producing PVCu and disposing of it can have harmful environmental effects. The construction industry accounts for 60% of all PVCu usage. However, manufacturers say Greenpeace's claims are 'lacking in knowledge'.
Publication Name: Building
Subject: Construction and materials industries
ISSN: 0007-3318
Year: 1996
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What is sustainable construction, exactly?
Article Abstract:
The UK government is promoting the acceptance of sustainable construction as an industry standard during 1999. New buildings are expected to be subject to assessment by the Building Research Establishment, which will allocate an environmental rating based on recycling, materials, energy sources and previous building usage. Architects are being asked to consider the long-term use of buildings and the impact they have on the environment.
Publication Name: Building
Subject: Construction and materials industries
ISSN: 0007-3318
Year: 1999
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