Sustainable construction

 

As urbanization increases, the demand for housing and infrastructures also grows. However, buildings account for important CO2 emissions and consume huge amounts of energy across a lifecycle that spans production, construction, operation and demolition.

The challenge is to continue to build but to do so in a different way. Lafarge is committed to sustainable construction and works in partnership with other players to develop new construction methods.

The challenges of sustainable construction

Sustainable construction addresses two major global challenges: the significant environmental impact of the construction industry, balanced against the industry's economic and social benefits.

 

Sustainable construction addresses both challenges by limiting the environmental and human impact of construction while guaranteeing the highest quality in aesthetics, strength and durability. It considers the complete life cycle of a building, from the selection of materials to demolition and recycling.

Challenges addressed by sustainable construction

Sustainable construction addresses two major global challenges:

  • Environmental. In a building's total life cycle, the construction sector:
    • accounts for 40% of CO2 emissions and waste in developed countries,
    • accounts for 37% of those countries' energy demand.
  • Economic and social. The construction sector:
    • accounts for 10% of the world's GDP (Gross Domestic Product),
    • employs over 100 million people, or 28% of the global workforce.

 

Glossary

Sustainable development

The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Sustainable development aims to reconcile 3 major stakes:

  • economic performance,

  • the social consequences of a company's actions (with respect to employees, suppliers, customers and the local community),

  • environmental aspects (achieving a balance between a company's activities and the preservation of ecosystems).

Glossary

Sustainable buildings: not as expensive as they seem!

Results of a W.B.C.S.D study
Professionals in the construction sector tend to estimate the cost of constructing a "green" building to be 17% higher than the cost of building a conventional structure. In fact, this estimate is over three times higher than the real figure, which is only about 5%!

This is the conclusion of a study carried out in the context of the "Energy Efficient Buildings" project, co-managed by Lafarge and part of the W.B.C.S.D.

This misunderstanding is a major obstacle to the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings.

Sustainable development

The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Sustainable development aims to reconcile 3 major stakes:

  • economic performance,
  • the social consequences of a company's actions (with respect to employees, suppliers, customers and the local community),

environmental aspects (achieving a balance between a company's activities and the preservation of ecosystems).    

Sustainable buildings: not as expensive as they seem!

Results of a W.B.C.S.D study
Professionals in the construction sector tend to estimate the cost of constructing a "green" building to be 17% higher than the cost of building a conventional structure. In fact, this estimate is over three times higher than the real figure, which is only about 5%!

This is the conclusion of a study carried out in the context of the "Energy Efficient Buildings" project, co-managed by Lafarge and part of the W.B.C.S.D.

This misunderstanding is a major obstacle to the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings.    

What is sustainable construction

In practice, sustainable construction means:

  • reducing the negative impact of building sites (noise, dust, repetitive tasks),
  • integrating renewable energy sources at the design stage,
  • using recyclable materials in construction to preserve natural resources,
  • improving the thermal inertia of buildings to reduce heating and air-conditioning costs and CO2 emissions,
  • controlling the aging of structures,
  • recycling materials and structures after demolition,
  • designing low-cost housing to improve living conditions for low-income populations.

Putting sustainable construction into practice

Lafarge Egypt is taking practical steps to make sustainable construction a reality.

Putting sustainable construction into practice

Lafarge Egypt is taking practical steps to make sustainable construction a reality.    
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BUILDING PROGRESS FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET

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As a member of Holcim Group, Lafarge Egypt builds progress for people and the planet. As a leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions in Egypt, Lafarge is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of its strategy, Lafarge Egypt, a member of Holcim, is becoming a net zero company, with its people and communities at the heart of its success. The company is driving circular construction as a world leader in recycling to build more with less.

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