Construction and the Environment

This course equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a low-carbon economy by emphasizing the analysis and management of environmental impacts in construction. Through learning about environmental regulations, sustainable practices, and innovative materials, students are prepared to contribute to reducing the carbon footprint in the construction industry. 

Learners will:

Analyze, evaluate and monitor project plans for compliance with established environmental regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines:

• Outline government (federal, provincial, and municipal) roles in environmental protection
• Review environmental regulatory acts and the roles of related agencies
• Examine liabilities based on roles played in the project
• List project elements and activities related to environmental impact assessment for pre-construction stage
• List project elements and activities related to environmental management during construction

Communicate industry standard responsibilities and practices to project team members to achieve construction project environmental goals:

• Identify project stakeholders
• Develop communication plans
• Connect project standards with project quality management plans
• Execute project communication and quality plan
• Review industry standards for environmental management

 Respond and critique environmental concerns related to the construction industry:

• Examine the fundamentals of environmental impact assessments for constructions projects
• List common environmental issues surrounding the construction industry

Identify and examine opportunities to reduce environmental impacts of buildings to the construction industry:

• Examine mitigation techniques and practices currently used in the industry
• Review the components of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
• Identify innovative construction materials to reduce carbon footprint

Develop sections of an environmental management plan within industry standards and environmental legislative requirements:

• Outline the fundamental components of an environmental plan
• Include environmental management plan in the project timeline

To keep our environment safe from the potential harms of the construction industry, project managers follow the environmental impact guidelines in the construction sector. Students analyze the connections between construction and the environment. Case studies and research projects require students to trace the full scope of environmental concerns connected with the construction industry. Using applicable legislation and guidelines as support, students review environmental management plans.