Sydney is known for its ambitious infrastructure projects, high rise developments, and urban expansion. However, the city’s construction sector faces a looming challenge—sustainability.
The industry is grappling with its significant carbon footprint, waste generation, and the demand for greener alternatives.
In this article, we’ll explore how sustainable Sydney’s construction sector really is and insights into the city’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
The global construction industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 38 per cent of global CO2 emissions.
Carbon emissions remain one of the biggest hurdles for the construction industry, both globally and in Sydney, where energy intensive materials and processes are driving up environmental costs.
In 2019, around 141 megatonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) was emitted in NSW, excluding the land sector. The main sources were:
Land use, changes in land use, and forestry in NSW helped cut total emissions by 5 Mt (3 per cent).
As a result of more carbon dioxide being absorbed by plants than was released through activities like land use and land clearing.
In New South Wales, as with the rest of Australia and globally, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions come from carbon dioxide, with methane and nitrous oxide following closely behind.
Overall, total NSW emissions were 44 Mt CO2-e (or 25 per cent) lower in 2019 than in 1990.
Emissions in certain sectors rose between 1990 and 2019.
All other sources decreased over the same period:
NSW performs better than much of Australia on an emissions per person basis. NSW emissions were about 18 tonnes CO2-e per person in 2018. This is below the national average of 22 tonnes per person.
NSW greenhouse gas emissions represent about one quarter of Australia’s total emissions (25 per cent), while NSW is home to around one-third of Australia’s population.
However, both NSW and Australia continue to fall behind other countries globally. Per-person emissions in NSW and Australia are much higher than the average for other high income countries (10 tonnes CO2-e per person, as recorded in 2016 by the World Bank).
The NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041 highlights that:
Beyond emissions, the construction sector’s waste footprint is also significant, but recycling efforts show promise in reducing this environmental burden.
As of today, the construction and demolition (C&D) industry constitutes 38 per cent of the 75.8 Mt of waste generated in Australia, amassing 29 Mt.
NSW greenhouse gas emissions represent about one quarter of Australia’s total emissions (25 per cent), while NSW is home to around one-third of Australia’s population.
However, both NSW and Australia continue to fall behind other countries globally. Per-person emissions in NSW and Australia are much higher than the average for other high income countries (10 tonnes CO2-e per person, as recorded in 2016 by the World Bank).
The NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041 highlights that:
Beyond emissions, the construction sector’s waste footprint is also significant, but recycling efforts show promise in reducing this environmental burden.
As of today, the construction and demolition (C&D) industry constitutes 38 per cent of the 75.8 Mt of waste generated in Australia, amassing 29 Mt.
With the surging rates of urban development across Australia, especially in large states like NSW and Victoria, construction and demolition waste increased by 25 per cent, which means: