When it comes to civil engineering, we are not talking about building bridges, roads and houses anymore. We are talking about building bridges, roads and houses while being responsible for the environment. Days of digging land, pouring concrete and moving on are long gone. We are now in the area where sustainable and environmentally conscious building practices are not only encouraged, but it is absolutely necessary. At MAC Group Ltd, we think it is the right time we all take a long hard look at how we build for the future and care for the Earth at the same time.
The Growing Pressure on Civil Engineering
To put it simply, civil engineering contributes strongly to the infrastructure of society, but the responsibility of civil engineers does not stop there. They leave a massive impact on the environment. The impact can be as simple as carbon emissions produced from construction activities, to the loss of green space, or it can be as vast as the current estimation that construction can account for 39 per cent of all carbon emissions worldwide. And that is a statistic that cannot be ignored. The need for change is apparent and construction must build smarter, greener and more sustainably.
The future of the planet should shape the future of every civil engineering company in the UK – delivering great projects does not have to be to the detriment of the environment, although historically that has kind of been the case. Fortunately, it doesn’t require much thought to do things better. At MAC Group, we want to set the standard for future civil engineering.
Sustainable Materials: The Game-Changer
The single biggest change I’ve seen in the past decade is the increased focus on sustainable materials. In engineering terms, this means moving away from concrete and steel to more innovative materials such as recycled building products, low-carbon concrete and even timber in civil engineering.
Think of low-carbon concrete, designed to reduce CO2 emissions by changing the mix for the production of cement, a major source of global emissions. We can use low-carbon concrete to replace regular concrete, still get the strength and durability we need, and reduce the environmental impact.
And then there’s recycled materials, of course. We at MAC Group Ltd are strong supporters of this. Why not reuse materials we’ve collected during the demolition of buildings – for example, aggregates, plastic or glass – or other existing materials, all stuff that’s already been pulled out of the ground? I mean, it’s a no-brainer: why dig up a whole new pile of whatever you need, when there’s already good material just sitting there?
Energy Efficiency: Building Greener Infrastructure
It’s not only about what we build with, but also about how we’re building and operating and maintaining – and what fuel we’re using. Renewable energy is becoming increasingly important in civil engineering designs.
To give you another example – and to stay with the road construction theme – have you heard about solar-powered roads? Yes, roads that you drive your car on and that can generate energy from the sun. It’s the kind of innovation that might in the future fundamentally change the way our cities can be powered, if it works out as hoped. It’s in an early stage yet, but projects like this are the first step towards a bright new future.
But even smarter technologies come into play, including energy-efficient buildings and public infrastructure systems – take ‘smart’ motorways with intelligent traffic management systems to reduce congestion and emissions, or bridges and tunnels with energy-efficient lighting powered by renewable energy. It all adds up in the long term.
Water Management: Every Drop Counts
Water is one of our most precious commodities and civil engineering has a major part in making sure that we’re not wasting it. From flood alleviation schemes to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), we have to think more carefully about the impact of our work on the natural hydrological cycle.
Indeed, flooding is becoming a more regular occurrence around the UK, and our infrastructure needs to design more and more to react to this, because no matter what we do, climate change will make flooding worse every year. This means it is more important than ever that we plan our infrastructure alongside nature. SuDS are a brilliant example of a civil engineering intervention that embraces the movement of water through ecosystems, allowing for rainwater to be absorbed back into the ground instead of being made to flow off into drains and into flood areas. Besides mitigating flood risk, they reduce pollution, improve water quality and help rebuild our urban green spaces.
We strongly believe in bringing green infrastructure into the design wherever possible. It’s a win-win situation really – from an environmental perspective and from our point of view as a company that builds really good things. It seems fairly obvious to us – if we can build roads or flood defences in harmony with nature rather than at odds, why wouldn’t we?
Minimising Carbon Footprints: Reducing Emissions on Site
At least we acknowledge that construction sites are not the cleanest places. Heavy machinery, material transport and energy-intensive work makes for a carbon costly operation, but there is an awful lot we can do about that.
For example, we can embrace plant hire and utilise machinery that is efficient in terms of energy such as hybrid and electric machinery, both of which are becoming increasingly common and can be a great way of reducing emissions on site. Hiring plant equipment run on clean energy is a way in which we can reduce the amount of carbon we produce.
But much of the impact is not due to the plant alone – it’s the efficient management of work on site. For instance, reducing the number of deliveries needed and sourcing locally can dramatically decrease a project’s carbon impact.
The Road Ahead: Building for a Greener Tomorrow
So, as we look forward, where do we go from here? Simply put: green. The future of civil engineering is green, and MAC Group Ltd is dedicated to staying ahead of that curve. After all, sustainable building is not just the next big thing – it is the only thing if we expect future generations to enjoy the same benefits this planet has to offer.
With the use of sustainable materials, new and innovative technology and eco-friendly practices, we can still build great infrastructure. It won’t be easy, but it’s worth it. What’s the point of building for the future if you’re destroying that future along the way?
MAC Group is happy to be a part of a rising wave of ‘green’ engineering that fosters a more respectful and environmentally responsible civil engineering for the future. And what a future it could be. Sustainable infrastructure isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a way of building for the next generation.
As such, we should forge on, rocking the boat, and construct for a greener, better future.
