The recent “climate rebellion” demonstrations in central London have highlighted the need to tackle climate breakdown and was a call for the UK government to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025.

The government’s response to date has been woeful, so it is up to contractors and construction companies to take the lead on reducing carbon emissions. “Green building” options that can actually help reduce carbon emissions and save money.

• What is a "green building"?

The ideal green building would be a building construction project that could reduce or eliminate negative impacts and create positive impacts on our climate and natural environment. Green buildings preserve most of the precious natural resources around the project site, producing a sustainable building to improve our quality of life.

• Why buildings’ need to go green

Contractors and construction companies need to take action to make buildings green in order move towards decarbonisation. Buildings can be designed in such a way as to reduce the overall impact on the environment and human health by efficiently using energy, water and other natural resources, as well as protecting the occupants’ health and improving productivity.

Green Buildings can make the earth more sustainable. Once you decide to make your buildings go green, your decision will start to protect the environment which in turn helps to reduce any negative impact away from the construction project. Even the smallest changes that you make will help to promote a better place for us all to live - not just for humans, but also the plants and wildlife.

• Does going green really cost you more

The most common excuse people give as to why why they can’t go green is because of the high, additional cost,  but this is just a common misunderstanding.  Although it may cost you a bit more to get started, because green materials and products can be more costly, you really must consider the type of savings and return on investment that you will be able to obtain longer term – whilst also helping  to protect the environment!

Energy Gain UK's consultancy and contracting experience can support you to fulfill life cycle energy reduction, as well as fund many green technologies outside of the existing budgets.