This month has seen another show of force by climate protestors. Whether you agree with their tactics or not, their actions capture a wider sentiment, that we’re not doing enough to halt climate change.
The same could be said for UK business and industry, particularly architectural product manufacturers. With architects, specifiers and fit out professionals under increasing pressure to reduce embodied carbon across their projects, manufacturers have seen their production methods and carbon performance ratings placed under the spotlight.
With the real threat that a product could be rejected from future projects if they fail to meet minimum green requirements (e.g. Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) ratings), it’s encouraging many manufacturers to assess their existing supply chains to see where carbon savings can be made.
While there’s no question a growing low-carbon conscientiousness amongst manufacturers is catalysing change in the sector, it’s not at the pace many would like. With a target of 2050 to reach Net-Zero, and many ambitious benchmarks en route, there’s a sizeable shadow of doubt on whether this target can be achieved in just under three decades.
A creeping lethargy post-COVID, compounded by the current economic stagnation, or refusal to acknowledge the gravitas of the situation in some quarters, is slowing progress towards a low carbon future. Indeed, in some companies the environmental social and corporate governance (SG) budget is the first to go, in my opinion to the long-term detriment of the business. Also, in some cases such as energy or packaging, there simply isn’t any suitable, sustainable alternatives which are currently available. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
I think there’s a damaging expectation that sustainable business is a change that can be implemented overnight. In my experience, as a manufacturer of glass and aluminium partitions that is not, and never will be the case.
Tackling climate change head on is no quick fix. It’s about incremental gains, starting with the lowest hanging fruit and working up to the greater challenges. If we’re serious about creating a sustainable industry then we need be realistic about what can be achieved, and by when. Meaningful steps towards carbon reduction be taken.
This is where it’s vital to be transparent and accountable, particularly with clients and end users. Equally, it’s important to showcase what has been done, what will be done and also how the audience themselves can best use the product to achieve the lowest carbon outcomes.
At Optima, a large part of this process has been to thoroughly interrogate and evaluate our supply chains, adopting a circular approach where currently possible and economically viable. We want ‘reuse, then eventually recycle to be the central values of our business model. It’s a considerable investment, and there’s a long way ahead, but we understand it will futureproof the business in the long-term whilst also introducing more sustainable working practices.
I feel it’s our duty to undertake this as an ethical and responsible manufacturer. What’s more, manufacturers who switch to a circular economy model can reduce the need for new materials, maximising the value of raw materials. There’s also energy consumption to consider – less demand for virgin materials can mean energy cost savings. For me it’s a no- brainer.
In terms of supporting specifiers, offering more robust product information is essential.
We’ve also audited and refreshed our product information, where there’s no compromise on performance and safety data, we’re making sustainability a red line too. With Part Z coming into effect from 2025 this will be crucial towards documenting and assessing full-life carbon. Moving towards more sustainable ways of working has much to offer, along with the obvious environmental benefits there are long-term financial gains to consider. However, if we’re to encourage sustainability best practice then specifiers also need to demand more from their suppliers. This means prioritising products that offer reusable solutions and placing emphasis on the most sustainable materials available.
Unfortunately, there’s a few barriers remain, hindering progress. Worse some appear under the guise of a quick, easy options, all too tempting for many. These are nothing more than greenwashing.
Whether knowingly or otherwise, some manufacturers are playing a dangerous corner-cutting game, sweeping the real issue of their own practices under the carpet, to be addressed (painfully) later down the line. It’s also completely counter-intuitive to the real, sustainable change manufacturers need to make to their own operations, to actually drive down emissions.
At the end of the day, funding the plantation of forests is a worthwhile pursuit, but it needs to be ‘in addition to’, not ‘instead of’. Better education on how to spot clear cut ‘greenwashing’ will help specifiers make a more informed choice, whilst tighter regulation must be introduced to stamp out this practice amongst manufacturers.
Overall, the architectural products sector is starting to effect real change. Despite the road being a distinctly rocky one, removing the obstacles manageably, one at a time, and being open about what progress you can make is the way forward.
Ultimately, it’s up to manufacturers to listen to specifiers needs and educate them on what’s achievable, but also how their products can be best used to deliver a whole life, lower carbon option.
Christian Mabey is managing director at Optima Products