The construction industry is one of the trickiest for eco-friendliness. Moorebank Logistics Park in Sydney, Australia is an excellent example of what buildings running on renewable energy can do, thanks to its expansive solar panels that save so much energy.
Here are some things the construction industry can learn from Moorebank Logistics Park’s successes.
- New, greener standards are key
Australia’s buildings are responsible for around 18 per cent of carbon emissions in the country. It strives for a greener building standard to reduce the risk of detrimental health effects on those living there. Looking out for occupants’ health leads to happier and healthier lives while not contributing as much to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The rooftop grid save more than 67 kilotonnes of carbon emissions annually. Because the entire facility is powered entirely by renewable energy, this building will save money while saving the environment.
- Lean into a consumer-oriented approach
Policymakers and construction professionals should put more weight on what the consumer wants rather than what is possibly cheapest and fastest. By giving consumers a choice, they might opt for the lowest-cost option anyway while also feeling involved in spaces crucial to life, like an office or residence.
Giving people’s choices some weight may also highlight an interest in greener solutions. When the general public knows what they could have and how it could benefit them, they may make waves to make it happen for themselves. Around 90 per cent of the global population breathes polluted air, so creating buildings and public spaces that reduce that percentage can draw more people in and make green structures the standard.
- Create better demolition processes
Demolition processes can be all over the place, creating piles of messes that can be difficult to clean up. Unfortunately, materials pile up during demolition and continue to fill landfills, even when workers cannot entirely break down some of those materials or crews could recycle them in other ways. However, when the demolition process is thought of as a way to improve sites and reuse certain materials, it automatically becomes a bit greener — especially if the future building on that spot will adhere to greener standards.
- Different materials can be better
As people prioritise building more sustainably, the industry may grow used to utilising more naturally recurring materials. Hardwood and other natural materials might become scarce, and options like concrete are inherently bad for the environment. Using greener materials leads to greener buildings and potentially paves the way for other eco-friendly decisions.
Some items you may see in greener construction are as follows:
- Bamboo: Grows faster than hardwood trees and quickly replenishes itself
- Cellulose: Made mostly from newspapers and can decrease waste by about 3.2 million tonnes every year
- Cork: Used in linoleum or even as water-resistant and sound-absorbent flooring in bathrooms and kitchens
- Rubber: Can be a great flooring option for families of any kind and size when recycled
Getting creative with materials can result in some transformative buildings. Plus, they can give any building a unique look that differentiates it from competitors. If one mall features environmentally friendly materials, it will stand out from its rival, which uses the same materials that do not benefit the environment. In addition to improving carbon footprints, using more sustainable materials can add to a building or living space’s visual appeal.
- Renewable energy is the future
Rooftop solar panels can help offset carbon costs and transform how much energy buildings use. Moorebank Logistics Park is an excellent example of how renewable energy can be utilised commercially for warehouse storage or retail opportunities.
Because of LOGOS’ partnership with Moorebank Logistics Park — which also partnered with Solar Bay — it expects to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Other conglomerates may follow suit and adopt eco-friendly policies to reach a particular target. Since renewable energy will only become more accessible as time passes, more buildings will feature eco-friendly options as integral parts.
The construction industry should embrace eco-friendliness
When businesses or developers put more money into supporting the environment, they may notice that they get a major return on their investment. Moorebank Logistics Park features 60-MW rooftop solar panels with a 150-MWh battery energy storage system. The buildings can practically power themselves and the whole country could have the same future if it took a page from this park’s book.
