Keynote Lecture: EFFC/DFI sustainability guides – carbon reduction, circular economy and more-PPT Presentation

PPT Presentation

Pdf Summary

The EFFC-DFI Sustainability Working Group is developing practical guides on climate adaptation and resilience, water, wellbeing, pollution, gender equality and reduced inequalities, and nature. Each guide follows a “What? Why? How? Measure” structure.<br /><br />The guides respond to regulatory requirements, client and employee expectations, financial pressures, rising material costs, funding conditions, and the need to manage risk. The presentation notes changes to EU sustainability reporting rules, including delayed or revised requirements for some companies and fewer expected disclosures.<br /><br />Designers influence the “handprint” of their designs, while contractors manage emissions from their work and supply chains. Carbon reduction should prioritize eliminating emissions, then reducing them, substituting lower-emission options, and finally compensating for unavoidable emissions. Practical actions include reusing foundations, optimizing pile designs, choosing lower-carbon materials, improving procurement and site efficiency, reducing waste, and using grid or renewable electricity.<br /><br />Climate adaptation is also essential. Changes in temperature, rainfall, groundwater levels, and extreme weather can cause settlement, erosion, landslides, permafrost thaw, and infrastructure damage. Examples include raising bridges for sea-level rise and designing around increased landslide risk. Water guidance will address project and client types, geotechnical solutions, water use, and legal requirements.<br /><br />Case studies illustrate potential benefits: reusing existing piles saved 1,200 tonnes of CO₂e; substituting lower-carbon cement reduced project emissions by 51%; and replacing diesel generators with grid power saved 290 tonnes of CO₂e. EFFC-DFI carbon tools support measurement at both project and company levels, helping contractors estimate emissions and demonstrate reductions to clients.

Keywords

sustainability

climate adaptation

resilience

water management

gender equality

reduced inequalities

carbon reduction

EU sustainability reporting

low-carbon materials

construction emissions