Promoting a Sustainable Construction Education Program
Discover Sustainable Construction Techniques for a Future-Ready Industry
In CONSTRUCT Issue 4 (2023), Geoff Dart highlighted that “Australia lags behind other OECD countries in addressing the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.” He assured that the AIB will persist in educating the construction industry and promoting the urgent need for change. Similarly, in 2022, the NSW Environmental Trust funded the University of Canberra to launch the “Environmental Sustainability Education Program” for the construction industry. This program aims to enhance the awareness and skills of environmental sustainability among construction stakeholders and workers. The program focuses on reducing energy and water consumption, decreasing emissions and pollution, improving waste recycling, using low-carbon, recyclable, and renewable materials, and minimizing the impact of construction activities on ecosystems and wildlife. These efforts support threatened species recovery and benefit climate change mitigation objectives.
Addressing Environmental Impact in Construction
Construction activities often negatively impact natural habitats and wildlife behaviour, such as noise pollution disrupting feeding and breeding patterns. Despite these significant environmental impacts, many in the construction industry remain unaware or indifferent to sustainable practices. The program seeks to improve awareness and understanding of environmental sustainability among construction managers, professionals, labourers, and other workers. While previous studies have extensively covered sustainable design, green building, and construction waste management, few have focused on educating practitioners during the construction stage. These construction individuals play a crucial role in enhancing environmental sustainability within the sector.
Key Program Components
- Educational Website:
A comprehensive online platform will be developed to disseminate sustainable construction knowledge. The website will promote educational programs, organise competitions, advertise results, provide links to valuable resources, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the program’s outcomes. Visit greenconst.org for more information. - Toolkit for Green Construction:
The program will produce a detailed toolkit covering various topics, including green construction materials, technologies and techniques, water and waste recycling, minimising environmental impacts, environmental program management mechanisms, low-carbon supply chains, sustainable construction skills, and continuous improvement systems. The toolkit can be downloaded at greenconst.org/resources-publications. - Performance Targets:
The program aims to achieve measurable improvements in the construction sector, such as increasing construction waste recovery and energy efficiency by at least 2%, reducing non-eco-friendly activities by 10%, and enhancing the awareness and knowledge of construction site workers by 10%.
Why Partner with Us
- Free Knowledge Training:
Get started with free training. Harness the power of our state-of-the-art knowledge. Implement cutting-edge program results in sustainable construction. Collaborate with our team of experts to drive innovation towards sustainable construction practices. - Discover Sustainability for Your Business:
Explore program feasibility, construction potentials, cost savings, increased construction margins, and the creation of sustainable working spaces and business environments. - Collaboration for Progress:
We invite companies, professionals, and sustainability enthusiasts to work together to promote a sustainable future for the construction industry. - Practice Green Construction:
Invite a free consultation and discover how our Green Construction Program can transform your projects, contributing to sustainable development practices in project management.
A dedicated research team from the University of Canberra, comprising Dr. Larry Xiancun Hu, Prof. Charles Lemckert, and Adj. Prof. Robert Whittaker, is spearheading this visionary program to advance environmental sustainability within the construction industry. This transformative initiative is supported by esteemed partners, including the Australian Institute of Building (AIB), the Institute of Chinese Engineers Australia (ICEA), and Renew Australia. The collaboration underscores the program’s significance and the concerted effort required to achieve its ambitious environmental objectives.
We would greatly appreciate your feedback on sustainable construction practices through this questionnaire. You can also contact us for more information.
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Online course: Environmental Sustainability Education Program in Teachable
By: Dr. Larry Xiancun Hu, MAIB