Sustainable development and the construction industry

The construction industry, together with the materials industries which support it, is one of the major global exploiters of natural resources, both physical and biological. The industry thus contributes very significantly to the current unsustainable development path of the global economy. This paper has two purposes. First, it attempts to identify the principal ways in which construction contributes to environmental stress, and to quantify the contribution of construction where possible. Secondly, it considers the means available to reduce these environmental impacts, through improved technology, design or changed practices; and it suggests ways in which governments can take action to promote these changes.