Sustainability

The challenges

Climate change is already having an impact on the built environment and construction is one of biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

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Government and industry response

International policy and regulation feed through to national and even local levels, which in turn influence the buying decisions among customers and clients.

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Roofing and sustainability

The industry is already improving its sustainability but NFRC is committed to further reducing roofing's environmental impact on the planet.

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Resource Efficiency and Waste Reduction

Sussex Asphalte—St Paul's Cathedral
Sussex Asphalte recycled 100-year-old asphalt salvaged from a previous project to renew the North Courtyard, which had started leaking water into the Cathedral’s workshops and storage facilities below. By recycling the 100-year-old asphalt, the team also saved St Paul’s Cathedral, over £11,000.

IKO—Appley Bridge Head Office
Before 2016 all waste material from IKO's Apply Bridge site was sent to landfill, including most paper, plastic wrap, hard plastic and wood pallets. However, following investment in two bailer units the site can now segregate all material and create bailed waste, minimising emissions by reducing transport to the recycling centres. Non-recyclable waste was used to create greener 'refuse-derived fuel.

Energy Efficiency & Biodiversity

Prater—Bloomberg London Building
Prater’s remit on this high-profile project, included green/bio-diverse roofing and the installation of riverstone cobble margins and natural paving slabs. The building, opened in 2017, received a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, with a 98.5 per cent score—the highest design-stage score ever achieved by any major office development.

H. McLarnon & Son Ltd—Head Office
The Northern Ireland-based contractor installed a range of energy saving and resource efficiency measures, including motion sensor LED lights throughout its new offices and stores, solar panels for under-floor heating, and water-efficient toilets. The company has also reduced waste to landfill, planted over 2,000 trees around its site, and replaced all old vehicles to improve fuel consumption.

Bauder—Clapham Park
The planning authority required a green roof integrated with renewable energy system in a relatively small area of this council block. Bauder's BioSOLAR system was used because it uses green roof substrate and vegetation to provide a ballast, removing the need to penetrate the waterproofing to secure the PV installation.