Why green is not black and white

Galvanizers Association has published a new guide, Galvanizing and Sustainable Construction, which aims to help architects, specifiers, engineers, developers and their clients consider how to use galvanized steel in the context of sustainable construction.

The guide is independently co-written by Professor Tom Woolley, an architect, environmental researcher, and known radical of green and natural building.

Galvanizers Association commissioned the guide in response to the increasing number of environmental declarations stemming from the construction industry. The Association fears that while many declarations are made in good faith, too many incorrectly attempt to position sustainability as a black and white issue, leading to confusion and ambiguity.

Iqbal Johal, Galvanizers Association marketing manager comments: “The challenge for those trying to reach conclusions and make decisions is not just sifting through the mountain of environmental claims, but finding a level playing field upon which sound judgements can be based. The demand for black and white answers to the question of sustainability is arguably fuelling this confusion, but the uncomfortable reality is that this is a grey area, despite the many claims to the contrary.”

Tom Woolley comments: “When choosing building materials and products, those involved will increasingly be concerned about environmental issues. This may be because rules, regulations and policies enforce this or because of a genuine ethical decision to ensure that buildings are as sustainable as possible.

“However there is a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding as to what green and sustainable buildings actually are, and the many claims being made by suppliers about the green credentials of their products. Distinguishing between being good for the environment and what has become known as ‘greenwash’ is not always easy. I therefore applaud the galvanizing industry’s desire to avoid this and their willingness to lay its environmental credentials open to public scrutiny.”

Galvanizing and Sustainable Construction is the result of a study involving a number of independent experts coordinated by the European Initiative for Galvanizing in Sustainable Construction. The guide draws on academic and scientific studies on the environmental impact of galvanized products and their alternatives, utilises a number of proven assessment tools, and examines the issue on a full life cycle basis, from raw materials extraction to final disposal.

Iqbal Johal adds: “This is not a marketing or advertising publication. This guide is based on the analysis of genuine data, backed up with genuine science. We have tried to be as frank and open as possible about the issues so that readers can make up their own minds about the information presented.

“We are confident that readers will see that, in respect of efficient protection of the environment and prudent use of natural resources, the hot dip galvanizing process stands up to scrutiny and can be considered as a major contributor towards sustainable construction. The long-term durability provided by galvanizing is achieved at a relatively low environmental burden in terms of energy and other globally relevant impacts, especially when compared to the energy value of the steel it is protecting.”

Tom Woolley adds: “Being well informed is an essential aspect of making environmental policy decisions and in producing this report, the galvanizing industry has made a significant step forwards in providing a level playing field upon which comparisons can be made.”

Email: Jeremy.Merckel@waa.co.uk