Certifying sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure CPD course
Certifying sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure
In the world of construction and infrastructure, the decisions made during the specification phase wield the power to shape our built environment’s future. Architects, building surveyors, consultants, and main contractors have the capacity not only to construct but also to construct sustainably. Imagine harnessing this capability to create structures that are not only functional and efficient but also environmentally responsible.
As we face the growing risks of climate change, sustainability is no longer a choice but an imperative. This pressing need extends its reach to every corner of our world, including the vital infrastructure that sustains our societies. More than 60% of civil engineers feel climate change is not prioritised sufficiently in infrastructure design and delivery according to new ICE research.
BREEAM Infrastructure, formerly known as CEEQUAL, stands as the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for infrastructure projects and contracts. It empowers you to make a significant impact on the sustainability and resilience of your infrastructure projects right from the outset.
The significance of early specification
One of the most pivotal moments in any infrastructure project’s life is its inception and early planning phases. It’s at this juncture that critical decisions are made, setting the course for the project’s trajectory. It’s also the ideal time to bring the power of BREEAM Infrastructure to the forefront.
Specification is a crucial phase in creating a more sustainable built environment. It’s during this phase that we choose the materials and processes that will define a construction project’s sustainability. These choices ripple through the project’s lifecycle, influencing its environmental, social, and economic footprint.
A strategic approach to specification allows us to embed sustainability right from the project’s inception. This involves considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the materials and processes we select. Responsible sourcing of materials and minimising negative impacts become paramount. This proactive approach allows project teams to integrate sustainability seamlessly into the project’s DNA, laying the groundwork for a climate-resilient future.
The cost of climate change on infrastructure
The impact of climate change on infrastructure is two-fold: direct and indirect. Direct damages manifest as physical harm to infrastructure assets, such as roads, buildings, and utilities, caused by extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and other climate-related factors.
Indirect damages, equally significant, disrupt the social and economic services delivered through these assets. For example, when a major transport network is severely affected by flooding, it not only damages the infrastructure itself but also disrupts supply chains, leads to economic losses, and affects communities that rely on the services provided.
Next Steps
The power to build a more sustainable future for our infrastructure projects rests in our hands. By specifying BREEAM Infrastructure, formerly CEEQUAL, we can make a tangible difference in the sustainability of our projects and the broader built environment.
To discover how you can take the BREEAM Infrastructure CPD course and make an impact, reach out to our specification specialist, Dean Sherwood, at BRE (dean.sherwood@bregroup.com). Together, we can shape a future that is not only sustainable but also safe, resilient, and inclusive.