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Sustainability at scale: How infrastructure projects can support climate goals

With a national agenda heavily focused on the delivery of major infrastructure projects, the pressure is on the industry to ‘get building’ across many sectors. Yet, marrying the needs of the country with climate goals for the planet, has seen the battle between infrastructure and sustainability rumble on – but does it need too?

When building for the future, sustainable infrastructure must not be overlooked. What once was a process that consumed vast resources, often at the expense of sustainability, is now replaced with options that can satisfy both green and growth agendas.

The largescale infrastructure projects of today are integrating sustainability during construction as a critical part of the futureproofing process.

Integrating sustainability during construction and using greener methods and materials at every stage of the process, modular buildings can help deliver the scale these projects demand without compromising on commitments to broader climate goals.

Large buildings require large goals

While largescale infrastructure projects often present logistical and operational complexities, it doesn’t mean that green credentials need to be compromised too. Modular buildings are designed to be recyclable or reusable, aligning with circular economy principles.

At Premier Modular, we use offsite manufacturing and recyclable materials, ensuring that every space provided contributes positively to sustainability.

Modular innovation balances the pressures of scale with a commitment to sustainability during construction, as demonstrated with our work with HS2. On this project alone, over 500 modules were installed in a way to minimise the impact on the environment when a vast amount of project offices and welfare facilities were needed. High-quality temporary spaces, with flexibility to move and adapt as the programme developed, wouldn’t be possible without modular building solutions.

Achieving optimum efficiency through our precision manufacturing, the modules were fitted with several sustainable features such as low energy lighting, PIR lighting sensors and effluent tanks to minimise discharge into local drainage, all contributing to sustainable practices. We also incorporated rainwater harvesting systems which can save up to 50 per cent of mains water usage.

Projects of this nature demonstrate that the construction of even the largest infrastructure projects can align with climate-conscious goals when using modular buildings.

Re-using and re-deploying to create a circular economy

One of the greatest advantages of modular construction is its ability to be designed to extend its usefulness through re-use and redeployment. Unlike traditional structures, our units are future-proofed through their flexibility. This means they can be easily modified, relocated and adapted to meet changing needs, or long-term programmes of works. Working with HS2 demonstrates circularity in action, too. Once the project was complete, the modules were taken away and adapted for their next use.

More importantly, through the re-use of our rental modules we are creating and becoming an enabler of a circular economy. Research by the WEF reports that repurposing buildings in fact produces 50 to 70 per cent fewer carbon emissions compared to building new ones.

By streamlining processes and prioritising a sustainable approach to large scale projects, our modules help deliver infrastructure that have both environmental and economic value.

Driving sustainability through ESG

Selecting partners and suppliers that have a genuine commitment to minimising environmental impact is key to delivering greener infrastructure projects. We continuously strive to be a sustainability leader with Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) principles as a core pillar of the business, shaping each part of our manufacturing process, from the way we design products to the services we deliver.

The modular vision

Sustainable infrastructure is no longer just a vision; with modular buildings it is an achievable reality. Embracing such solutions can help largescale infrastructure projects reduce their environmental impact while optimising resources. This ensures sustainability is achieved without compromising on quality, flexibility, or the speed of deployment and installation.

Discover how Premier Modular can help you deliver green infrastructure projects by contacting our team today.