DISCOVER the full article in our online magazine Constructing a sustainable future As projects advance, however, the impact on emissions diminishes. Favoring low-carbon impact materials, those seen to embody the image of sustainable construction but also with a higher cost, has in fact only a limited potential for reducing the project’s embodied carbon – by less than 30%. THINK LIFE CYCLE Sustainable construction is by nature not just about the immediate impact; it’s about the long haul. And this timeframe, necessarily extended to meet the challenge of the climate crisis, also enables sustainable construction to earn its credentials in terms of cost. It encourages us to consider the costs of a building over its entire life cycle, and not just at the time of construction. And yet, 75% of a building’s total expenses are incurred during its operational phase, encompassing upkeep, maintenance, repairs, and resource consumption such as water and energy. By optimizing product longevity, energy efficiency, resource consumption and waste management strategies, a new sustainable building boasts 14% lower operating expenses than its traditional counterpart (source: World Green Building Council). Moreover, sustainable properties offer a distinct market advantage. They are more highly valued and thus more profitable. As investors and occupants become better informed and concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the built environment, buildings with better sustainability credentials are more highly valued by buyers and tenants. 63
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