Sustainability & the Sustainable Home

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing economic, environmental and social factors to create a harmonious and long-lasting system.

In the context of the built environment, sustainability focuses on reducing the negative impacts of both construction and ongoing operation of buildings on the environment and society. This includes minimising energy consumption, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water, promoting renewable energy sources, using environmentally friendly materials, implementing efficient waste management practices, and less tangible aspects such as creating healthy, affordable, accessible and livable spaces for occupants.

Sustainable practices aim to create a more resilient and regenerative built environment that takes into account the well-being of people, the planet and future generations. It involves considering the life cycle of buildings all throughout to ensure that they are environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable.

The Three Pillars of Sustainability

Digging into the three pillars of sustainability are:

1. Environmental Sustainability: This is the pillar focused on minimising the negative impact on the environment and promoting practices that protect and preserve natural resources. It involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy and water, protecting biodiversity, managing waste effectively and adopting sustainable and renewable resource management practices.
2. Social Sustainability: Social sustainability emphasises the well-being and quality of life for individuals and communities. It involves promoting social equity, justice and inclusivity. This pillar encompasses aspects such as ensuring fair labour practices, respecting human rights, providing safe and healthy working conditions, supporting community development, and enhancing social cohesion.
3. Economic Sustainability: Economic sustainability refers to practices that promote long-term economic growth, stability and viability. It involves considering the economic impact and viability of activities, ensuring profitability and responsible resource allocation. Economic sustainability aims to balance economic development with social and environmental considerations to create a prosperous and resilient society.

These three pillars are interconnected and mutually dependent, and achieving sustainability requires a holistic approach that balances and integrates these dimensions.

What does (Environmental) Sustainability look like in Homes?

Sustainability in homes involves implementing various practices and adopting technologies that reduce the environmental impact, promote energy efficiency, and create a healthy and comfortable living environment.

Here are some key aspects of what sustainability in the home looks like:

1. Energy Efficiency: Energy-efficient homes minimise energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This can be achieved through proper insulation, high-performance windows, energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting and smart home technologies that optimise energy usage. Renewable energy systems such as solar panels can also be installed to generate clean, sustainable electricity.
2. Water Conservation: Sustainable homes incorporate water-saving features to reduce water consumption. This includes installing low-flow fixtures such as faucets and showerheads, using dual-flush toilets and implementing rainwater harvesting systems for outdoor irrigation. Efficient landscaping practices, such as using native plants and implementing drip irrigation, can further minimise water usage.
3. Sustainable Materials: Choosing sustainable and environmentally friendly materials is important in sustainable homes. This involves using renewable or recycled materials such as reclaimed wood or recycled glass countertops and selecting products with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions to maintain indoor air quality. Additionally, considering the life cycle of materials, including their production, transportation and disposal, helps reduce the environmental impact.
4. Waste Reduction and Recycling: Sustainable homes promote waste reduction and proper recycling. This includes implementing recycling systems with clearly labelled bins, composting organic waste and reducing single-use items. Designing homes with storage space for recyclables and incorporating built-in recycling stations can facilitate proper waste management.
5. Indoor Air Quality: Sustainable homes prioritise indoor air quality by using proper ventilation systems, low-emission building materials and air purification technologies. Adequate ventilation ensures fresh air exchange while using non-toxic paints, adhesives and finishes help minimise indoor air pollutants and improve occupant health.
6. Smart Home Technologies: Integrating smart home technologies allows homeowners to monitor and control energy usage, lighting and temperature, optimising efficiency and reducing waste. Smart thermostats, occupancy sensors and energy management systems enable better control and optimisation of energy consumption.
7. Sustainable Landscaping: Sustainable homes extend beyond the building itself and consider the surrounding landscape. This involves designing and maintaining landscapes that require minimal water and chemical inputs, incorporating native plants, utilising efficient irrigation methods and promoting biodiversity.

These are just a few examples of what sustainability can look like in homes and will all be dependent on a household’s circumstances. What’s most important is what practices or technologies a household can and will implement to become more sustainable.

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