HOW CONSTRUCTION CAN LEAD THE WAY TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Did you know that 40% of carbon emissions stems from households in the UK? This statistic shows the pivotal role our homes can play in reducing our carbon footprint and working towards a climate-friendly future. But it’s not just residential areas; in 2023, businesses accounted for 14% of the UK’s total CO2 emissions. Put into context, this is roughly the same amount of carbon sequestered by two-thirds of all forest areas in the United States each year.

It’s time for both homeowners and businesses to adopt construction methods that not only safeguard the environment but also lead to cost savings. In this blog, we’ll explore how roofing can lead the way on this journey.

Climate Crisis and Cost Concerns:

A common question we get asked by clients is: “How can we contribute to saving the planet while dealing with rising material, labour, and living costs?”. This highlights exactly why it is important to consider the long-term effects of every choice you make when renovating, repairing or building on both the environment and your wallet.

Harnessing Solar Power for a Brighter Future:

One impactful way to transform your roof into a sustainability powerhouse is by incorporating solar panels. By doing so you increase the consumption of clean, green energy while reducing reliance on grid energy generated from fossil fuels.

OVO Energy highlights that a standard solar PV system in the UK can offset a staggering 39 tons of carbon dioxide over three decades – equivalent to nurturing 2,365 tree seedlings for a decade. The use of solar panels is an investment with dual rewards: a positive environmental impact and long-term financial savings. For homeowners, solar panels can slash energy bills by an average of £330 annually, while businesses can benefit from reduced corporation tax based on solar investment.

Green Roofs: Promoting Sustainability and Biodiversity:

Another sustainable roofing alternative, gaining momentum worldwide, is the concept of green roofs. A green roof is a roof that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane.

What are the Benefits of Green Roofs?

Ecosystem Enrichment: Green roofs create natural habitats, fostering ecology and supporting biodiversity. Creatures like butterflies and bees find refuge in these environments, contributing to a healthier ecosystem.

Air Quality Enhancement: By introducing more vegetation to urban spaces, green roofs enhance air quality, providing cleaner and fresher air for both humans and wildlife alike.

Thermal Regulation: The insulating properties of green roofs contribute to better temperature control, keeping buildings cool in summer and warm in winter, thereby reducing energy consumption throughout the year.

Economical Considerations: Green roofs can lead to reduced construction costs over time, proving that sustainability and affordability can go hand in hand.

Can Roofing Pave the Path to a Sustainable Tomorrow?

In a time defined by climate concerns and economic struggles, the roofing industry has a pivotal role to play in catalysing positive change. Many assume that climate action and money saving do not go hand in hand but solutions like we have discussed here prove this is not the case. The average UK home’s carbon footprint has reduced by 4.7 tonnes of CO2 since 1990. By changing the ways our buildings are run we can strive toward a further reduction of 3.6 tonnes by 2030 in order to help keep us on track to the 80% UK-wide emission reduction goal by 2050 required to tackle dangerous climate change.