Attribute 7 - Sustainability

Question 1

How would you define sustainability?

Answer 1

Meeting the needs of today without jeopardising the needs of tomorrow. How can I make the world a better place without damaging it for future generations.

Question 2

How many pillars of sustainability are there and what are they?

Answer 2

3 pillars: environmental, social and economical.

Question 3

In Civil Engineering projects in general, are all three pillars always the ‘same height’? i.e. is equal relevance/importance placed upon each?

Answer 3

Large focus on environmental and economical- I feel social is sometimes given less attention.

Question 4

Explain your understanding of sustainability and whole life costing?

Answer 4

Whole life costing takes account of the cost of a product or service over its life, from determining the need for it through to its eventual disposal and replacement. This can be the case for both money and carbon.

Question 5

Can you explain your role in this project and how you contributed to sustainable development?

Answer 5

I am a Section Engineer. I planned works accordingly to use a conveyor/ responsibly order concrete.
From a sustainability perspective, how could you influence a design that’s already under construction?

Question 6

From a sustainability perspective, how could you influence a design that’s already under construction?

Answer 6

Change a concrete mix if its overperforming, alter the cement content.

Question 7

If a client asked you to develop a design that was both socially and economically unsustainable, how would you react?

Answer 7

Question the purpose of the design. Maybe the client has a reason for this, it could be edging to large environmental positives.

Question 8

What are the differences between sustainability and environmental enhancement?

Answer 8

Environmental enhancement is “the improvement of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity.” Sustainability is “the quality of causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time.

Question 9

What is meant by sustainable timber?

Answer 9

Timber that has been harvested in a responsible manner.

Question 10

What is a sustainable alternative to cement in concrete?

Answer 10

GGBS/PFA

Question 11

Give me an example of sustainability?

Answer 11

Section 61- social sustainability ensuring no noise pollution reaches residents.

Question 12

Give an example of when you changed a design to make it more sustainable?

Answer 12

Using a panelized formwork system instead of a timber and ply shutter.

Question 13

Give an example of a time when you contributed to sustainability?

Answer 13

Old Oak Common is a large site. A section of work was finishing- I organised to take their left-over reinforcement and use as temporary works bars for my section. This saved on production, transportation and local disturbances on roads.

Question 14

Would you consider your project sustainable?

Answer 14

Yes, sustainable measures have been included within the contract which all sub-contractors must adhere to. We employ environmental mangers who liaise with local communities and work with Engineers to ensure all procedures set out in the works have been followed.

Question 15

Was there anything specific at design level that contributed to the projects ability to be sustainable?

Answer 15

The development of a concrete mix where the cement content was 70% GGBS.

Question 16

What do the UN Sustainable Development Goals mean to you? How do they affect you day to day work?

Answer 16

The UN sustainability goals help me consider my ethical approach to work- what am I building and what affect it will have on the wider world. It makes me consider how I am improving the quality of people’s life through building this critical infrastructure.

Question 17

How does reducing material volumes reduce carbon emissions?

Answer 17

Reduced lorries on the road