Help birth a re-evolution of UK construction, investment and economic growth and stability

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), construction and building use in the UK accounts for around 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe), surpassing all other sectors.

 

As daunting as how to tackle 40% GHGe is, best practice architectural design research strongly suggests that were we to fully reconsider what types of construction methods and materials genuinely do and could offer best overall building performance, it would be entirely feasible that collectively we could significantly impact GHG emissions and energy use. And in the process significantly positively impact multiple sectors.

Ultimately investment in and specification of natural fibre and sustainable construction and insulation materials for use in all existing and new domestic and commercial projects would offer the UK the fastest most effective means of significantly reducing GHGe impact in short, medium and long term respects.

 

Natural fibre construction materials such as hemp, miscanthus, wood fibre, straw, jute, flax, sisal and sheep's wool all offer exceptional insulation and indoor climate management performance way above that of more common go-to and petrochemical alternatives in almost every conceivable above ground construction build-up scenario.

Natural fibre construction materials properties

And in the case of hemp and miscanthus for example, with unique crop rotation and natural soil enrichment properties, and requiring virtually no pesticides or fertilisers, such crops could also help revolutionise UK farming and food production.

 

More astounding perhaps than such a vision being perfectly possible, such a vision is entirely achievable without need for any kind of technological revolution.

All that would be required would be the devising of effective ways to inspire a shift in investment, design, building and policy making habits, in ourselves, our builders and architects, our developers and land owners, and our policy and law makers.

 

Achieving such a shift is our greatest challenge – and our most significant opportunity.

 

Will you help influence the birth of a re-evolution in UK construction, investment and economic growth and stability? Together we can create a future where sustainable construction is not the exception, but the rule.

 

Let’s start a conversation; email John@number39.co.uk or call: 07940 925 738

Sources:

 

Gov.uk:

Greenhouse gas emissions statistics 2021 (pdf)

 

Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GABC):

2021 Global status report for Buildings and Construction (pdf)

 

UN environment programme (UNEP):

CO2 emissions for buildings and construction: Press release 09/11/22

 

Energy Live: News:

UK could be hit by ‘epidemic-levels’ of fuel poverty, warn experts

 

MDPI: Open access scientific journals:

Benefits of Cultivating Industrial Hemp

 

Natural materials and healthy homes:

House planning help Podcast interview with Tom Woolley

 

 

design@number39.co.uk

+447940925738