Creative collaboration to cut embodied carbon emissions in construction

As a social infrastructure project management company Sensum are collaborating with likeminded Australian organisations to drive reductions in embodied carbon in the building and construction industry.

The built environment sector is responsible for 1/4 of Australia’s greenhouse emissions. Globally, the steel, cement, and aluminium industries alone each generate about 7-9% of annual global greenhouse emissions, and billions of dollars is spent each year building infrastructure using these materials.

That’s a lot of upfront or embodied carbon!

Sensum recognise the growing worldwide demand for lower and zero-carbon materials and want to help drive this change. They are passionate about being good ancestors, by delivering social infrastructure projects that add value to our community now and into the future.

The team played and continue to play a leading role in the growth of Modern Methods of Construction across Australia, are currently obtaining carbon neutral certification, and are proud members of the Materials & Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA). MECLA seeks to follow the Paris Agreement targets and principles of the circular economy, uniting innovative people on a mission to reduce embodied carbon in the building and construction industry.

Sensum’s CEO Nick Strongman explains,

‘We really enjoy having collaborative conversations that challenge the status quo. Thinking outside the box about sustainable ways to reduce embodied carbon along all points of the supply chain excites. We strive to continue building ourselves as a business that weaves social consciousness into everything.’

The recent demolition process for Stradbroke School in South Australia was tackled with a focus on a circular economy in a collaboration between Sensum, Sarah Constructions, Aurecon, Das Studio and INNOVIS Consulting.

November timelapse of demolition at Stradbroke Primary School, South Australia

Several initiatives were implemented as a means of reducing the projects impact. The school’s furniture was donated to The Mustard Seed Family Project, to support families and communities in need with accessible, affordable necessities. Trees that were cut down were given to the school, who will use the wood to construct a play area inspired by indigenous culture following the consultation of local indigenous leaders. The remaining logs were given away as firewood to the local community. Lorikeet birdboxes have been relocated into the neighbouring trees, and solar tubes and sky lights are being installed into the building.

Just a handful of thoughtful initiatives significantly reduced the emissions that would be produced in the manufacture of new materials and the destruction of leftover timber. The additional integration of sustainable materials and features will continue to support emission reduction after the building is complete and in use by the students and teachers.

Collaborating to find creative ways that make a difference in the construction sector really does add up – or in the case of embodied carbon emissions, it cuts down!