Construction has a major role to play in addressing the world’s climate change issues. The Global Alliance for Building and Construction’s 2020 Status Report highlights that buildings and constructions’ global share for energy and emissions stand at 35% and 38%. The European Commission has also stated that construction and demolition waste (CDW) accounts for more than a third of all waste generated in the EU, and that Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste is the largest waste stream in the EU. Malta, and its operators alike should focus steadfastly on combating these issues.
As indeed, we are.
Materials for flooring are an apt example. Indeed, whilst the benefits in making use of natural versus man-made materials are well-known, their environmental impact is less visible; less apparent, and ought to be equally embedded in our residential and commercial consumers’ minds alike. It is not common knowledge that the costs of energy consumption for processing natural stone are a mere 3,3% of the production value. And that wood flooring is completely renewable is another oft-overlooked benefit.
Design & Build’s featured ceramics suppliers are reputable vendors who are evidently also taking heed of these matters. Much of their supply comes from countries such as Italy and Spain which are regulated by their governments in terms of the efficiency levels of their manufacturing processes, thus recycling wastewater, energy and raw materials back into the production cycle. Many of their products can contain 25 to 40% per-consumer recycled content.
It is becoming clear that innovation is crucial to sustained business growth, and the current circumstances too attest to this. Many of our market leaders have restructured their operational processes, production facilities, warehousing, online sales facilities, product portfolios and target markets. Yet others have continued developing their product DNA.
This edition of Design & Build proudly showcases industry leaders who are all in some way paying tribute to these factors, and it is becoming clear that they are contributing to address these long standing issues; and minimising the carbon impact of the construction industry while so doing. In the longer term this is bound to help transform the sector’s image into a high tech manufacturing based sector which seeks new and better ways of working, which embraces technologies, and which strengthens relations with the local communities while driving the industry forward.
Comment