The environment: The fourth construction project objective?

The objectives of construction projects, from the client’s point of view, are well known, and techniques have been developed to help practitioners achieve them. Ensuring that projects contribute towards protecting the environment is not yet one of these objectives. However, in almost all countries, issues relating to the environment are receiving attention from governments, non-governmental institutions and commercial organizations in most sectors of the economy, as well as from the general public. Statutory measures are being taken by governments to effect pollution control, resource conservation and protection of natural ecosystems. Productive enterprises are reviewing, and where necessary, changing aspects of their operations to address these concerns and comply with the increasingly more stringent requirements. Many environment-related statutes, regulations, codes and general policies have implications for the construction industry, affecting where constructed items are located, how they are planned and designed, the materials and components used, the techniques and equipment adopted, and how the completed facilities are maintained, altered and, ultimately, demolished. After giving an overview of the factors contributing to, and the nature of, general developments relating to the environment (especially in the area of government policy), the implications of these trends for the construction industry are considered. Actions being taken by the industry in these regards are next discussed. It is suggested that the consideration of issues relating to the environment should be part of the culture of the construction industry everywhere, and that there is a case for making the environment the fourth client objective on construction projects.