Sustainability is often integrated into CSR aims. Companies frequently pledge to track and reduce the resources they use or require their freight partners to gradually transition to new practices that reduce CO2 emissions.

Another practical and effective option is to investigate the possibilities of sustainable infrastructure. Let’s examine how such buildings support broader CSR goals.

Sustainable Certifications Are Popular Options

When companies assess how sustainable infrastructure fits into their CSR goals, they often pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications. Several levels of LEED certification exist, and an organization receives points according to the measures they take to become more sustainable. Points get awarded in six main categories, including water efficiency and site selection.

In the summer of 2019, news broke that the organization that developed the Olympic House, which serves as the headquarters for the International Olympic Committee, received the most points of any new LEED-certified construction project up to that time. It received 93 LEED points and is the first building in Switzerland to earn LEED v4 certification.

Moreover, It’s the first international headquarters building to get the Swiss Sustainable Construction Standard (SNBS). The certifications reportedly tie into the 2020 Olympic Agenda which, is one of the three “pillars” of the upcoming competition.

Another option is for companies to set their sights on ISO 14001:2015 – Certification for the Environment. It’s for companies in all industries and helps them protect the environment, prevent pollution and improve their environmental performance. A focus on continual improvement makes this option like other ISO standards, although this one centers on environmental aspects and how they affect a business.

Earning a certification is not the only way for an organization to focus on sustainable infrastructure, of course. However, when companies or groups strive towards recognizable achievements like the ones described above, it’s easier for the public and peers alike to understand what certification means, and why it’s such an accomplishment.

A Sustainable Building Could Include a Green Roof

Green roofs feature grass, vegetable gardens on what’s typically a building’s highest surface. Evidence suggests these roofs can cut energy costs, minimize flood damage, provide habitats for wildlife, beautify buildings and more. Despite these benefits, green roofs have not yet reached the mainstream everywhere.

A well-designed green roof must distribute and store water for the plants it holds. It’s typically easier to integrate such infrastructure into the roofs of newer buildings compared to older ones. That’s one reason why North American cities, where the buildings are not as old as those in many European cities, have roofs with green buildings more often.

Plus, green roofs tend to appear in places where local legislators embrace the benefits of such infrastructure and agree to adjust budgets to support them. Once leaders give nods of approval, building professionals should find they don’t encounter as many challenges when meeting the needs of their clients who say they want green roofs on their buildings.

You can probably imagine how a green-roofed building could help employees feel more connected as they spend some of their free time to collectively nurture the plants growing in these gardens. But some businesses have a further-reaching mindset concerning how a green roof relates to CSR. Remember, a corporate sustainability plan examines how to improve society. That frequently means feeding communities.

Boston Medical Center boasts a 2,658-square-foot farm on its roof. Although health care facilities treat ailments, they also take preventative approaches to help people stay healthy. Often, that means encouraging them to eat nutritious diets. What if patients have difficulty accessing the food required for a health-promoting diet? The hospital runs the Preventative Food Pantry, giving participants access to dozens of crops to feed their families.

Green Buildings Are Gaining Popularity

We’ve covered some of the possibilities for companies to pursue if they want to make green buildings part of their corporate sustainability goals. However, other options are particularly easy to install and start reaping the benefits. Some businesses may wish to explore those first before concluding that they want to substantially revamp their infrastructure to make it more sustainable.

For example, a company may install new faucets in its restrooms that use less water and turn off automatically once a person leaves. Those solutions could avoid waste. Similarly, motion sensors could help ensure that no one accidentally leaves their office light on when going home. Smart thermostats are also widely used, and they assist a company in keeping its internal spaces comfortable without excessive energy usage.

Regardless of the specific ways a business decides to take advantage of sustainable buildings, a recent market research report indicates the green building market is poised for growth. It estimates a 10.26% combined annual growth rate for the sector from 2018-2023. That finding suggests that it’s time for construction professionals to update their knowledge about green infrastructure to prepare to meet clients’ CSR aspirations.

A Trend Worth Following

A comprehensive CSR plan encompasses a variety of aspects that a company deems essential. This overview shows that businesses can — and should — investigate ways to strategically include sustainable buildings in their intentions to give back and help societies via their resources and actions.

The post How Companies Can Achieve Corporate Responsibility Through Sustainable Infrastructure appeared first on Green Building Insider.

This focus on creating green buildings is admirable and necessary. However, construction professionals can’t afford to prioritize the planet over the safety of occupants. Safety and sustainability can go together, but only if builders pay attention to both of these elements at the design stage.

Sustainability and Fire Safety

Fire safety is a top concern for today’s builders. Most countries have fire safety inspectors who ensure that all buildings meet the minimum requirements for fire safety. But even when a building’s materials don’t violate any laws, they can still pose a risk to firefighters.

Researchers from Worchester Polytechnic Institute received a $1 million grant to continue earlier research that showed the potential hazards of some green materials.

For example, lightweight engineered lumber uses fewer materials than conventional lumber, and many professionals view it as an eco-friendly option. However, the material is also more likely to collapse during a fire if it’s part of the flooring. Researchers also brought up the potential for electrocution by solar panels.

Solar panels make things difficult for firefighters because they often have independent power sources. That may mean that cutting off the main power for a burning home doesn’t eliminate the risk of active electricity associated with solar panels. Moreover, the location of solar panels may prevent fire crews from cutting holes in a roof to help smoke escape.

Some eco-friendly buildings also have a minimalist design to reduce waste. It may look chic and inspire occupants to do more with less, but the simplified design might not have as many barriers in place to contain fires.

For example, many apartments, hotels and hostels in the United Kingdom have fire doors in communal areas such as corridors. The goal of a fire door is to keep flames in a smaller area rather than letting them spread to places where they endanger more occupants. People who aren’t familiar with these designs might think it’s wasteful to have so many doors, but they don’t realize that they ultimately promote fire safety.

Ensuring a Safe Water Supply

Construction professionals need to ensure their structure meets fire safety standards, but that isn’t their only responsibility. They also need to equip their building with basic conveniences like running water. To that end, it’s crucial to keep health concerns in mind, such as preventing Legionella pneumophila outbreaks. Legionella is a type of water-borne bacteria that can live in things like decorative fountains or showerheads.

According to research, up to 70% of buildings in the U.S. that are taller than three stories may have Legionella issues. Also, scientists at Purdue University found that low-flow plumbing systems could promote the multiplication of dangerous pathogens, including Legionella pneumophila.

Part of the problem is that the flow rates have gone down while the diameter of plumbing pipes have stayed the same. That means that water can age in the pipes, making it potentially contaminated by the time it reaches a consumer. This information will aid builders and other decision-makers in using low-flow systems to reduce the risks.

If building designers want to address an occupant’s need for clean, fresh water while also being eco-friendly, they might consider adding something to a public area of a building, such as the lobby. Dasani is testing a water dispenser that gives still or seltzer water to people who bring bottles to fill. It’s one of many strategies the brand is using to address the issue of plastic waste.

Uncertain Effects of New Materials

Designing a fire-safe building involves many aspects that people can see, such as the number of exits. But protecting a building from a future fire also requires retardant materials. For example, there are special bricks containing fire-retardant materials, and some of the fabrics or fillings used to make couch cushions also have those same characteristics.

Research has shown that some flame-retardant materials have an adverse effect on the environment. So engineers came up with “better” alternatives. However, a recent study from the American Chemical Society suggests that the newer option also has a negative impact.

More specifically, a supposedly superior option called “polymeric flame retardant” is less likely to enter biological cells or the food chain. Unfortunately, researchers found that it can break down into harmful compounds after exposure to excessive heat or ultraviolet light. The team clarified that this could present issues if using the material to insulate a hot attic or when discarding the material at a landfill.

This finding illuminates a larger challenge as well: It’s often impossible to know the long-term effects of newer products.

For example, scientists have made substantial headway in creating eco-friendly plastics, a positive development considering how dependent modern society is on the material. But is it possible that these new plastics could introduce hazards as they age? Absolutely. The trouble is that people can usually only speculate until the newest options reach the point of mainstream, long-term use.

Worker Safety and Green Buildings

Construction work can be dangerous, even if laborers have the necessary training and follow appropriate procedures. That said, research has shown that green construction can be especially hazardous. A study from 2012 focused on several case studies associated with LEED-certified buildings. It found that people on those projects worked near electrical currents, at heights and near unstable soil more often than people working on non-LEED jobs.

Then, a 2018 study collected data from 30 construction companies in Singapore. It found a higher accident rate for green building projects versus conventional ones. There are undoubtedly many variables at play that may cause a rise in safety risks. Since some green building materials and techniques are relatively new, people don’t have adequate experience working with them.

Another possible issue could be the limited time frames in which construction workers have to complete green building projects. Tight schedule requirements stem from both the increased interest in green building projects and the frequent instances of governments setting net-zero emissions targets by particular deadlines.

If construction company owners and project managers are too focused on profit, or they feel pressure from deadlines, some of them may sacrifice safety. Even if sustainable buildings reach completion under budget and on schedule, worker safety could still be at risk.

Making adequate training mandatory and setting manageable timelines for sustainable projects could both keep a project safer while still meeting the demand for eco-friendly buildings. Companies should also try to specifically hire people who have ample experience with green building practices.

Safety Is Just as Important as Sustainability

A growing number of people recognize the need for green buildings. It’s important, of course, but it’s equally essential to keep builders and occupants safe and secure.

The post The Intersection (And Challenges) of Green Buildings and Safety appeared first on Green Building Insider.