Civile Site Sustainability Report. Engineering Assignment

Civile Site Sustainability Report
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Executive Summary
Sustainability is becoming an important facet in human civilization. Sustainability is an epiphany that stakeholders have had when they realized the dangers of non-renewable sources of energy. Consequently, sustainability has gained a vast range of meaning and use. In essence, the primary goal of sustainability is to ensure that human beings can meet their current needs and wants without compromising future generations’ livelihoods. Construction partners such as Civile are committed to guaranteeing that this element is on course and given priority. Sustainability in construction ranges from the integration of solar energy, green roofs, and public transportation.
Civile Site Sustainability Report
1.0 Introduction
Sustainability in modern times has gained significant traction in many organizations as they opt for a sustainable manner of operations that guarantees the future of the firm as well as that of the future generations. Organizations that elicit this way of operations gain an exceptional reputation in the public arena. Consequently, contractors bear the responsibility of ensuring that sustainability measures are extrapolated beginning in the design stages of a project. This recognition compels Civile to conduct through ground checks on how every aspect of the construction will be articulated. Civile engineering is cognizant of the needs of this profession and thus, will use specific methods, tools, and collaborative work ethics to determine the best possibilities for their project. Solar energy marks the first sustainable strategy that needs to be implemented. Solar energy reduces power costs for the organization. On the greater side, it mitigates against the increase in greenhouse (GHG) emissions as electricity is mainly generated through the burning of dangerous coal. Green roofs are becoming a frequent integration in most building projects. These technologies serve to improve vegetation cover in urban areas where viable land for these activities is decreasing rapidly. Green roofs use massive top floor surfaces that are bare. Finally, there is the case for public transport. In this project, sustainable public transport will be attained in different ways. Bike sheds, cycle lanes, and incentive programs will be fundamental to this possibility. Bus services will minimize the use of private means to the premises. On the other hand, limited parking spaces will hinder visitors from arriving in private means to the premises. Civile places sustainability as a major part of their operations and consequently, the cases for solar energy, green roofs, and sustainable transport will be accorded much more in-depth analysis into how they will be applied.
2.0 Findings
2.1 Solar Energy
The case for renewable sources of energy is becoming one of the most prominent discussions around the globe. This position arises as the world is rapidly transforming into a global village because of the increase in daily requirements of energy among the entire population. Such developments arise because, in its form, the earth cannot change. Nevertheless, the case for renewable energy gains significant support as it complements the exceptional need for energy in satisfying human welfare, health, social and economic development (Owusu & Asumadu-Sarkodie 2016, p. 1). These sources of energy are fundamental in the quest for energy de-carbonization taking into account that heavy reliance on fossil fuels has resulted in ecological imbalance brought about by astronomical levels of greenhouse (GHG) emissions. Coal, oil, and natural gas account for a third of the world’s GHG gas emissions (Majid 2020; p. 1). The astronomical expansion in the modern renewables, particularly, wind and solar photovoltaics accounted for approximately 25% electricity generation in 2016 implying that it has significant potential in at the very least, minimizing the 3.8 million annual premature deaths arising from using polluting solid fuels (United Nations 2019; p. 27). In this regard, solar energy plays a fundamental role not only in mitigating against climate change, but also protecting humankind from extinction.
2.2 Green Roofs
Green roofs provide another aspect under which sustainability can be fathomed. Green roofs have been around for over a decade and recently, forms a major component of urban building. In the quest to understand the role of green roofs, one will seek to find the justification for their initial existence. They became more predominant in the 19th and 20th Centuries, particularly in the United States (U.S.). The costs of building parks in major urban centers were proving to be an expensive venture considering the rising land costs compelled many to opt for greening their rooftops (Li & Yeung 2014; p. 128). Germany is the current world leader in this aspect with 10% of its houses having green roof technologies. Incentive programs introduced in the country between 1983 and 1996 facilitated the spread of green roofs (Li & Yeung 2014; p. 128). Today, they are widespread across many European countries. In essence, green roofs are meant to increase the amount of vegetation in these locations because of the limited impervious surfaces while the rooftops remain unused.
2.3 Public Transport
The concept of sustainability is quite wide to the extent of integrating the transportation phenomenon. Thus, sustainable transportation methods are those means of transport that facilitate the movement of goods adhering to the principles of sustainability including emitting little to no carbon (II) dioxide (Martins, Anholon, & Quelhas 2019; p. 1847). The primary element of sustainability is retained in the fact that people using these systems are capable of meeting their present needs and wants without compromising the availability of the same resources to future generations. Sustainable transportation has to contribute to a community’s sustainable development through the use of the established system (Jha, Ogallo, & Owolabi 2014; p. 1185). Conventionally, developing transportation infrastructure was bent on minimizing the initial costs as well as emphasizing traffic mobility taking into account social and environmental necessities. Modern times have changed because of limited financial resources, environmental impacts, and more importantly climate changes.
3.3 Discussion
3.1 Solar Energy
The use of solar energy offers the most straightforward path towards decarbonized pathways considering its widespread application in modern times. Other than the challenges that are dragging the process such as long-term electricity storage and smart-grid management, solar energy is becoming a viable option, particularly for industrial plants. In essence, reliable energy is vital for these locations when it comes to functional industrial equipment, lighting, and heating. Industrial plants consume significant amounts of electricity. Electricity is primarily attained through the combustion of coal meaning that it accounts for significant proportions of national emissions. Experts claim that a transition to low-carbo...