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Can construction technology aid in meeting real estate sustainability goals?
Can construction technology aid in meeting real estate sustainability goals?

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Sustainability is a critical concern for the construction industry as real estate drives approximately 39 percent of total global carbon emissions.

 


Climate change and its associated consequences remains a key concern for many real estate stakeholders. Added supply of sustainable and resilient buildings is a top priority, in line with the commitments made by investors, evolving regulatory standards, government emphasis on targeted emission reductions, and increased demand from tenants and employees. These changes have brought a sense of urgency to real estate leaders. The climate transition not only creates new responsibilities for real-estate players to both revalue and future-proof their portfolios but also brings opportunities to create fresh sources of value.

Adverse effects caused by the global real estate sector, and how to reverse it with the right technology

Real estate is central to global climate change mitigation efforts. Sustainability is a critical concern for the construction industry as real estate drives approximately 39 percent of total global carbon emissions. Approximately 11 percent of these emissions are generated by manufacturing materials used in buildings (including steel and cement), while the rest is emitted from buildings themselves and by generating the energy that powers buildings. With countries and organisations worldwide aiming for net-zero emissions, and green building codes being ushered in by municipalities, construction firms are now focused on enhancing their commitment to eco-friendly practices and waste reduction.

Significant reductions in emissions associated with real estate can be achieved with sound economics and construction/supervision methodologies through technologies that already exist. Using technology in construction can lead to reduction and the right allocation of resources including cost and time. The use of the right kind of technology like CoGence can also help reduce the skilled supervisory team basis just-in-time allocation of skilled workers needed for repetitive tasks. Automation and innovation in construction methodology can address these sustainability challenges in many ways. The solutions will help improve the efficiency of building construction and decrease onsite worker time, reducing construction pollution. Recent studies suggest that construction firms leveraging technology are 50 percent more likely to experience sustainable improvements and waste reduction as compared to their counterparts. Almost all the leading construction stakeholders surveyed consider sustainability as their top business priority and are focusing on improving the supply chain, increasing the efficiency of the workforce, and thereby addressing labor shortages. The business challenges may, in the short term, shift focus from capital-intensive initiatives but in the long term, the investments will produce significant advantages. Technology that aids in building sustainable infrastructure and green buildings is the key to addressing the climate crisis.

The whole idea that sustainable construction is a costly and impractical solution is a myth and is inaccurate. As green construction is increasingly automated, the upfront costs are being lowered, and the returns are faster.

Go green from the start

According to the U S Green Building Council (USGBC) internal study, while the initial cost of a green building may be 2 percent-3 percent higher than a typical building, the energy savings to operate is at least 14 percent less costly than traditional buildings. The key to saving is implementing sustainability in construction projects from the beginning of the design process. Modelling and simulation tools can be used to identify issues in the design that could cause delays or inefficiencies throughout the build phase and also to empower site engineers with data-driven details. By putting data to work from the inception of a project, firms can also achieve more precise estimates and take-offs. This directs them to order only the necessary materials, thereby minimizing the number of raw materials wasted. In addition, by providing the insights necessary, we can identify, and correct wasteful practices and lower carbon footprints.

AI to the rescue

While autonomous vehicles are poised to take over our roads in the years ahead, shortly, we may see heavy construction vehicles that will be autonomous and electric – curbing the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels. The opportunity for robots in construction can help capture data which is now being done with humans. These machines can scan the construction site daily and upload data to identify any areas of concern, proactively address issues, and reduce - or even eliminate - the potential for future rework, thus helping firms complete projects faster, free up skilled labor for other valuable tasks, and reduce a project's carbon footprint.

Building with a modular construction process and utilizing a digital twin, or a digital reflection of a physical building, provides autonomy to test carbon output and safety hazards. AI can also be integrated with building sensors to provide real- time information and recommendations for building operations. This combination allows those operating a building to understand the current state of the facility they are monitoring, discover potential challenges, and model how it could become more energy efficient.

By using technologies, construction firms can improve their sustainability efforts while increasing profitability — ultimately creating a win-win solution for the industry and the environment.

About the Author:

Jatin Shah | Chief Strategy Officer| Colliers India


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