“Infinite growth on a finite planet is an impossibility.” E.F.Schumacher - 1973
In the construction industry, we should prioritise avoiding unnecessary demolition. Retaining and retrofitting existing buildings is almost always the more sustainable option ⁶² . Whole Life Carbon (WLC) assessments offer a much more accurate measure of environmental impact than generic or benchmark estimates. Greta Thunberg famously said, “We already have all the facts and solutions; all we have to do is wake up and change.” Built environment professionals can take meaningful steps toward achieving Net Zero - not just by signing declarations and publishing roadmaps, but by actively demonstrating the added value of sustainable construction and implementing Scope 4 (or Scope X) measures to quantify their positive, tangible impacts. As Mina Hasman highlights in the RIBA Climate Guide, “There is an unyielding expectation that the decisions we take within the sector today must bear fruit for long- term resilience and must provide a balance between the physical, man-made and natural environment, as well as humankind.” Achieving holistic, sustainable outcomes demands climate literacy and immediate action. The built environment has long been a significant contributor to climate change. By embracing Scope 4 principles, professionals in this sector can shift from being part of the problem to becoming part of the solution, adding real value and purpose that will inspire others today and future generations.
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