Construction

  • Australians missing out on $9.3 billion in annual savings

    CONSTRUCTION NEWS

    Australians missing out on $9.3 billion in annual savings

    A recent report has highlighted that Australians are missing out on significant cost savings due to untapped rooftop solar potential, with an estimated $9.3 billion in savings available annually for people livi... more

  • Sweden is boosting property values across Europe

    CONSTRUCTION NEWS

    Sweden boosts property values through sustainable buildings

    As the world struggles with escalating energy costs and the urgent need to reduce carbon footprints, Sweden emerges as a beacon of hope, showcasing how smart energy solutions can revolutionise CO2 emission redu... more

  • Laing O'Rourke sets carbon emission limits for concrete in Australia

    CONSTRUCTION NEWS

    Laing O’Rourke sets carbon emission limits for concrete in Australia

    Laing O'Rourke has become the first construction company in Australia to establish a maximum tolerance for carbon emissions embodied in the concrete products it purchases — both directly and through subcontra... more

  • Aecon and Concordia University set to decarbonise construction sector

    CONSTRUCTION NEWS

    Aecon and Concordia University set to decarbonise construction sector

    Aecon, one of Canada's largest construction and infrastructure development companies, has partnered up with Concordia University in Montreal to embark on a groundbreaking research endeavour aimed at revolutioni... more

  • Australians missing out on $9.3 billion in annual savings
    15 Apr, 2024
  • Sweden boosts property values through sustainable buildings
    15 Apr, 2024
  • Laing O’Rourke sets carbon emission limits for concrete in Australia
    11 Apr, 2024
  • Aecon and Concordia University set to decarbonise construction sector
    05 Apr, 2024
Gladstone explosion demonstrates danger of gas to climate

QCC: Gladstone explosion highlights dangers of gas to climate

A fire broke out at Jenema's Queensland Gas Pipeline near Bauhinia Downs this week, affecting Gladstone's gas supply. Resources Health and Safety Queensland has initiated an investigation into the explosion. The explosion is still currently causing chaos for local industry and the Queensland Conservation Council states that this is another reminder of the unreliability and danger of gas as an energy source. “The underground gas leak and explosion near Bauhinia in Central Queensland has affected key industries in Gladstone and demonstrates the need to improve monitoring of our existing infrastructure and transition safely to new renewable energy sources.” Queensland Conservation…
Eco-Innovations in Construction: A Deep Dive Into Sustainable Building Materials

A deep dive into sustainable building materials

The built environment’s impact on climate change is palpable. Manufactured buildings account for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions and are responsible for about 37 per cent of energy consumption, globally. While much of that negative impact comes from operational building use, embodied carbon — that which is created by design and production — also contributes to these overwhelming emissions. In particular, construction’s impact on the environment involves the use of unsustainable materials like steel and aluminium. Learn how the industry can mitigate these negative effects and work toward a brighter future for building. Benefits of Eco-Friendly Construction Alternatives Environmentally friendly building…
circular

New report reveals Australia’s material use and circular rate

CSIRO has released a new report on Australia’s material use, highlighting opportunities to transition to a more circular and sustainable economy. The Australian material flow analysis to progress to a circular economy report details how Australia uses its resources, linking human consumption to environmental impacts, which can inform approaches to resource efficiency, waste minimisation, and greenhouse gas abatement. RIGHT: Transport and housing make up more than half of Australia’s material footprint, followed by food. It found that Australia’s circularity rate – the measure of efficiency in which resources are reused and recycled within a system – is half (4 per…

Start-ups challenged to help develop carbon capture technology

Pioneering international program Innovandi Open Challenge 2024, which brings together tech start-ups and leading manufacturers in the pursuit of net zero, has launched. The challenge is run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the international industry body focused on helping the global cement industry reduce its emissions and ultimately achieve net zero concrete. Applications are being encouraged from start-ups from around the world, interested in working on the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS), for low carbon cement and concrete. Innovative technologies are sought, which include process integrated and end-of-pipe carbon capture and use, and help prevent…
Melbourne invention converts toxic soil into bricks

Melbourne invention converts toxic soil into bricks

A Melbourne-based company — Pure New World — has managed to turn toxic soil and plastics into bricks, which can then be used as construction materials and even serve as a potential replacement for concrete. The stronger and cheaper concrete alternative consists of a new chemical polymer that has undergone testing and has been approved by two official laboratories — the University of Melbourne’s Advanced Protective Technologies Engineering Structures Research Group and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. The new chemical polymer is then combined with toxic plastic and soil, that have been contaminated with hydrocarbons, heavy metals or…
Green roofs can cool cities and save energy

Extensive green roofs can cool cities and save energy

New research from UNSW Sydney shows greenery coverage on rooftops can help cool down a major city while reducing energy demand. Extensive greenery coverage on building rooftops could significantly reduce temperatures at the city scale and decrease energy costs, according to a new study. The research, led by Indira Adilkhanova and Professor Geun Young Yun from Kyung Hee University and co-authored by UNSW Sydney Scientia Professor Mattheos (Mat) Santamouris, found that green roofs could cool South Korea’s capital city by around one degree Celsius during summer and slash the energy demand associated with cooling by almost 8 per cent under maximum…

MPA NSW issues warning about unsafe heat pumps

The Master Plumbers Association (MPA) of New South Wales has issued a statement urging quick action to rectify the allocation of government grants for heat pumps. The New South Wales state government and the Australian federal government have approved grants for inferior heat pump models. MPA CEO Nathaniel Smith said: “These inferior overseas models, heavily promoted through social media platforms at suspiciously low prices under $100, have raised red flags. “It has come to our attention that these inferior units are sourced in bulk from overseas by organisations that may exhibit phoenix-like characteristics, stirring memories of past debacles.” Expressing deep…