Main environmental impacts
Hazardous substances and chemicals
One of the main environmental challenges facing us is the use and handling of chemicals that pose a health or environmental risk. This concept refers primarily to substances that are classified as toxic, harmful to the environment, harmful to health, flammable or explosive or irritating. However, knowledge about the health and environmental impacts of the substances we use is constantly evolving.
Chemicals can have both immediate impacts and long-term effects on health and the environment. While the immediate effects are generally noticed fairly rapidly, it can be more difficult to detect the long-term effects.
Many substances that are now banned are found in existing buildings. With the current system for disposal of demolition masses, environmental toxins can be spread and cause widespread damage. Moreover, many substances and chemicals with proven negative impacts on health and the environment are still legal ingredients in building materials.
The authorities have identified individual substances that are to receive special focus. The Priority List contains an overview of substances that are to be phased out over time. The Government Observation List lists substances that are regarded as hazardous to health or the environment where it is recommended that efforts are made to find alternatives.
High energy consumption
The Energy Agency for Renewable Energy ENOVA’s energy consumption statistics demonstrate that new buildings use increasing amounts of energy, the majority of which is oil and electricity based. The largest increase has been in consumption of energy for ventilation and cooling. Most of the energy consumption in Norway is based on hydro-electric power; however, we are already using more electricity than we can produce. As participants on the open international power market, which is dominated by fossil energy, we have a moral duty to reduce our energy consumption for a number of reasons. There is significant potential for energy conservation in our existing buildings. In addition, the design and planning of new buildings lay the foundations for energy consumption in completed buildings. The new EU directives on energy consumption entail stricter requirements and that we pay greater attention to minimising energy needs in our buildings.
High consumption of materials and resources
Construction and operation of buildings entail use of materials and resources in the form of raw materials, building materials, products, technical installations, chemicals, etc. Extraction of raw materials, manufacturing and transport of finished materials entail deterioration of the landscape, pollution and energy consumption. These activities also generate waste, which must be treated properly.
Environmental, quality and economic considerations therefore suggest that consumption of materials and resources ought to be kept to a minimum.
A focus on correct consumption can help prevent unnecessary initial production of input factors and superfluous waste. If materials of a sufficiently high quality are used from the outset, they will not need to be replaced after only a few years, which entails excessive consumption of materials and resources.
Potential for climate change
Climate change is a global problem. Emissions of so-called greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), enhance the heat-trapping capability of the earth’s atmosphere (the greenhouse effect), resulting in global warming with potentially major consequences for mankind.
Norwegian emissions of greenhouse gases increased by 6 % from 1990 to 2002. The global mean temperature and the mean temperature in Norway are continuing to rise. We still know very little about the concrete effects of climate change, but there is much to indicate that we will increasingly experience extreme weather conditions and flooding.
Combustion of oil, emissions from transport and dumping of waste are activities undertaken by the Directorate of Public Construction and Property that result in emissions of greenhouse gases and thus contribute to climate change.
Deterioration of heritage sites
The Directorate of Public Construction and Property administers many of the country’s most important heritage sites. The wealth of heritage sites and cultural environments shall be managed and preserved as a resource for use and experience. In our planning and construction projects, we often face challenges linked to conservation of heritage sites. This may be linked to choice of materials in operating and renovating buildings or assessment of technical facilities and demolition needs in connection with major changes. A central issue in this respect is that the Directorate of Public Construction and Property ensures a proper focus and continuation of this environmental team.
Deterioration of natural assets
The Directorate of Public Construction and Property’s activities necessarily trigger changes in the natural environment. When a new building is being constructed, the ground is excavated, trees are felled, water is redirected, etc. Every time we develop a new area or use an existing building and as major consumers of materials, we impact the landscape entailing a risk of damage to nature, erosion, reduction of the biological diversity or other changes in the countryside. These are all important aspects that must be given due consideration and priority in all our activities.