Environmental impact
The term ‘environmental impact’ refers to the possible effects a particular action may have on the natural environment. These effects can be either negative or positive.
According to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), the construction sector uses more than 400 million tons of material each year, much of which has a negative environmental impact. In particular, the products that are used during the construction process can be damaging due to intensive extraction of raw materials, transporting to manufacturing plant and site, energy consumption in manufacture and in use, waste generation and so on.
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has highlighted the ‘significant change in the surface of a land’ due to construction activity which involves clearing vegetation, excavation, disrupting habitats, changes to drainage patterns and the water table, noise pollution, light pollution, dust, vibration and so on.
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 sets out a requirement to carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) as part of the planning application process for certain projects (generally large or environmentally complex projects).
The purpose of an EIA is to ensure that the environmental effects of a proposed development are properly considered. An EIA provides the local planning authority with better information about certain types of project enabling them to make a more informed decision about whether permission should be granted and to allow imposition of more appropriate conditions and obligations to mitigate possible negative impacts.
Ecological Impact Assessments are a key part of EIAs. These identify, quantify and evaluate the potential impacts of on ecosystems or their components.
For more information see: Environmental impact assessment.
A construction environmental management plan may be developed, outlining how a construction project will avoid, minimise or mitigate impact on the environment and surrounding area.
For more information see: Construction environmental management plan.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Construction environmental management plan.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- Environmental impact of biomaterials and biomass (FB 67).
- Environmental modelling.
- Environmental policy.
- Environmental statement.
- Feasibility studies for construction projects.
- Greenhouse gases.
- In-combination effects.
- Natural environment.
Featured articles and news
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.
Skills gap for net zero highlighted to Minister for Industry
ECA convenes roundtable discussion at Portcullis House.
Evidencing Net Zero with the new UK buildings standard
Pilot version with detailed excel proforma out now!
Scottish Building Safety Levy, in consultation
From direct remediation and the RPDT, to the costs and alternatives.
Waves of warmer homes grants for the rental sector
Boosting energy efficiency standards for all rented homes.
A refocus of the National Planning Policy Framework
Key terms described in brief, as the consultation closes the evening of the 24th.
Fortified farmhouses of the unruly 16th-and 17th-century borders.