Why the building industry must address climate change

Dr. Usha Iyer-Raniga (0417 169 656 or usha.iyer-raniga@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: sustainable building, circular economy, building, project management, climate change, built environment, property

 "Given the impact of changes to the climate over the last few years, research and research translation to inform how current and future generations can live, work and play on this planet is critical now more than ever before."

"This urgency has also been reflected in international gatherings such as the UN Climate Change Conference, held in Glasgow last year. The results of the recent Australian elections are also a testament to the importance of climate and sustainability in the minds of Australians."

"We must ensure current and future generations of building industry professionals ‘touch the earth lightly’, not just in Australia, but also in other parts of the world. Particularly in the areas of the world where rapid city building is taking place."

"We are looking at ways we can reduce the use of virgin resources and ensure that resources that already exist in the economy are used over and over again, rather than ending up in the landfill or just left as waste."

"If we do not do anything to change the way we build and the materials we use, it is a lost opportunity. Buildings once built, last for 80, 100 or more years. We need to fundamentally change the we way we think about design, build and operation of our buildings to ensure we leave behind a planet for current and future generations."

Usha is a Professor at the School of Property, Construction and Project Management at RMIT University. She is also the Co-Lead of the United Nations One Planet Network’s (OPN) Sustainable Buildings and Construction Programme (SBC), (10YFP) on Sustainable Consumption and Production aligned with SDG12. Usher is on the scientific committee for the for the 2022 World Building Congress and chairing a session on circular built environments.

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