The built environment sector faces a significant obstacle on the path to net zero, accounting for a substantial portion of global carbon output, but change is happening, driven by digitalisation. Digital tools have already proven their value in improving efficiency and reducing costs and both remain key priorities. But their broader potential lies in reshaping how we design, construct and operate the built environment to meet net zero targets, writes Ryan Donoghue, of AJ Digital, a leading provider of digital solutions to the construction industry.
Carbon emissions in construction fall into two main categories - embodied carbon, generated through the extraction, production, transport and installation of building materials - and operational carbon, produced by the energy required to run buildings throughout their lifespan - including heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation. The sector has historically struggled with inefficiencies such as material waste, energy-intensive processes and limited access to real-time performance data – and without a fundamental move in project delivery, the construction industry will continue to see increased emissions. However, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other digital solutions offer a practical pathway to reducing carbon across the lifecycle of buildings – and that technology is available now.
BIM is a transformative digital process that goes far beyond simple 3D models. It provides a rich, data-driven representation of a built asset - encompassing geometry, material characteristics, performance data and lifecycle information. For net zero aspirations, BIM is not merely a tool - it is the central nervous system of a sustainable construction project. At the design stage, BIM allows architects and engineers to perform intricate analyses of a building’s potential energy performance. They can simulate various scenarios, testing different façade materials for thermal efficiency, optimising building orientation for passive solar gain or natural ventilation and can precisely calculate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) loads. This upfront analysis identifies energy hotspots and inefficiencies before a single brick is laid, leading to designs that are inherently more energy-efficient throughout their operational life.
BIM also enables detailed lifecycle assessments (LCAs) of materials, allowing designers to compare the embodied carbon of different components - from concrete mixes to insulation types - and make informed, low-carbon choices. The precision planning provided by BIM also drastically minimises material waste on site. By detecting clashes in the design phase, eliminating rework and enabling accurate material ordering, BIM ensures that resources are used judiciously, reducing both waste sent to landfill and the associated carbon emissions from manufacturing and transportation of excess materials. Furthermore, optimised logistics planning offered by BIM can lead to fewer vehicle journeys to and from the site, directly cutting down on fuel consumption and transport-related emissions. In essence, BIM provides the digital blueprint for building not just smarter, but greener.
A new digital blueprint
The journey towards net zero does not end when the last worker leaves the site. A building's operational phase often accounts for the largest proportion of its lifetime emissions. This is where the power of digital Operations and Maintenance (O&M) manuals becomes indispensable. Traditional paper O&M manuals are notorious for being unwieldy, often lost or outdated and inaccessible when needed most. Think of a facility manager needing to troubleshoot an inefficient HVAC system - rummaging through volumes of paper manuals for equipment specifications or maintenance schedules. It is a costly, time-consuming exercise that rarely leads to optimal energy performance.
Digital O&M manuals, by contrast, transform this process entirely. They provide facility managers with immediate, centralised access to all critical building information - equipment specifications, maintenance logs, warranty details, wiring diagrams and troubleshooting guides - often accessible via mobile devices or desktop portals. This immediate access empowers facility managers to ensure building systems run at peak efficiency, identifying and rectifying energy waste quickly.
A faulty HVAC system, for example, can be quickly diagnosed and repaired using up-to-date digital records, rather than trawling through binders of paper. These manuals can even integrate with Building Management Systems (BMS), enabling predictive maintenance that addresses issues before they escalate - further reducing operational carbon.
The benefits also extend to resource consumption - replacing vast quantities of paper, ink and storage space with digital files directly reduces the carbon footprint associated with document production and management. Moreover, accurate and easily updated digital records streamline future retrofits or energy-efficient upgrades, allowing buildings to evolve and adapt rather than face premature demolition, thus preventing the embodied carbon associated with new construction.
The very act of going paperless is a direct and substantial contribution to reducing carbon impact, often underestimated in its significance. Consider the lifecycle of paper - it begins with deforestation - impacting critical carbon sinks and biodiversity. The pulp and paper industry is highly energy-intensive, consuming vast amounts of water and electricity during manufacturing, often relying on fossil fuels. The distribution of paper products from mills to offices and construction sites further contributes to carbon emissions. Finally, disposing of paper in landfill contributes to methane emissions — a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. In the construction sector, this waste often includes stacks of printed drawings, specifications, contracts, site reports and traditional O&M manuals.
Embracing digitalisation
By fully embracing digitalisation - through tools like BIM, cloud-based project platforms, and digital O&M manuals - the construction industry can significantly reduce its reliance on paper. Drawings become interactive models, reports are shared instantly via secure portals and contracts are signed electronically.
This move not only cuts the carbon footprint associated with paper production, transport, and waste, but also delivers major efficiency gains. Information moves faster, approvals are streamlined, and collaboration improves - reducing delays, errors and their associated environmental costs. Going paperless isn’t just a matter of convenience - it’s a core component of sustainable construction - but it's only the beginning.
The push for net zero is being accelerated by an array of interconnected digital tools. Digital twin technology, for instance, creates a live, virtual replica of a physical building, allowing for real-time monitoring of energy consumption, occupant behaviour and system performance. This continuous feedback loop enables granular optimisation of operational carbon throughout a building's life.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are also increasingly being applied to analyse vast datasets, predicting energy usage patterns, identifying potential for efficiency improvements and even optimising material selection based on real-time embodied carbon data. Furthermore, the digitalisation of the entire supply chain, from material procurement to delivery, allows for granular tracking of the embodied carbon of every component, fostering greater transparency and accountability. These tools do not operate in isolation - they form a digital ecosystem that provides a holistic, data-driven pathway to net zero.
All this means that the urgency of achieving net zero emissions is undeniable and for the built environment, digitalisation is not an optional extra - it is the essential catalyst for transformation. From the precision and foresight offered by Building Information Modelling in design and construction, to the sustained operational efficiency enabled by digital O&M manuals and the direct carbon reduction achieved by going paperless, every digital advancement pushes us closer to a sustainable future.
At AJ Digital, we are committed to partnering with the construction industry to navigate this crucial transition. As we observe "Net Zero Week," we invite you to explore how embracing digital solutions can not only enhance your project delivery, but also your reputation as a forward-thinking leader in sustainable development.
