Sustainability seems to be the "it" word of the century, but what does itreally mean for kiwi builders? This is the first in a series of stories in BuildingBusiness to highlight the key things you can do to build a more positivefuture for your business.
So what is Sustainability?
So let's start with a simple definition: Sustainabilitymeans making choices and adopting practicesthat balance environmental, social, and economicconsiderations to ensure a healthier life for peopleand the environment now and for generations tocome. For builders, sustainability means choosingenvironmentally friendly materials, buildingsystems that minimise waste, and adopting designprinciples that reduce the carbon footprint of abuilding and facilitate the most efficient use ofnatural resources, energy and water. Sustainability also encompasses social responsibility, including how you treat your employees, suppliersand sub-contractors.
All these factors are included in the United NationsSustainable Development w88 casino login, which NewZealand has embraced as a roadmap for building asustainable future in this country.
A worldwide blueprint
Developed by the UN in 2015, the Sustainable Development w88 casino login are the blueprint to achievea better and more sustainable future, with longterm benefits for people, the economy and theenvironment. They address critical global challengesof poverty, inequality, climate change andenvironmental degradation.
The UN monitors these w88 casino login to gauge progress andaction across member countries. In New Zealand,the w88 casino login have been incorporated into much of thelegislation relating to building and infrastructuredevelopment.
A good example is the Green Star and Homestarrating systems, whereby many governmentbuildings, residential developments andlocal authority buildings must have verifiableenvironmental, energy and sustainability ratings.
In many cases, builders who work on these projectsmust only use materials and labour where a chainof custody can be verified. This shows that thematerials have been produced, manufactured anddistributed sustainably, and everyone employedin the supply chain is treated fairly with nodiscrimination
Seeing the wood for the trees
There is a vast amount of information availableabout sustainability in w88 casino login, and it isn't easy todistil it down to practical steps builders can take toembrace the sustainable drive.
Of the 17 UN Sustainable Development w88 casino loginfive are most pertinent to builders and buildingcompanies in New Zealand. In future articles, we willfocus on each and provide a breakdown of the keythings relevant to you.