Application of Environmental Impact Assessment Methods for Construction

Sustainable development has become a concept commonly used in terms of global spatial development, national and regional planning. In view of the fact that deposits of non-renewable energy resources are inevitably running out, it is particularly important to take a new look at the problems associated with energy-efficient and ecological construction. The definition of sustainable construction determines both the specific parameters to be met by a given building and a comprehensive approach to the problem, starting from the design stage of the building, through its construction and operation, to the demolition or other form of the final stage of its life cycle. Such buildings are characterised, on the one hand, by the use of modern technologies and materials and, on the other, by a return to rational architectural design. The concept of “green building” refers to the ecological, social and economic aspects of the whole life cycle of a building.  The methodology for determining the environmental impact of a building is still under consideration. There are currently several methods for the assessment and certification of green and energy-efficient buildings. The most popular system for such assessment and certification of buildings is the BREEAM (Building Reaserch Estabilishment Environmental Assesment Method) system, which became popular in the UK in 1990. The purpose of this article is to carry out an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) for a single-family building, at the design stage, and to identify the building materials used in terms of environmental loads during the entire building life cycle.