United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

A sustainable built environment can significantly contribute to socio-economic development and well-being.

Poor air quality is reported to be responsible for 1,300 premature deaths in Ireland annually [1]. Although the focus is mostly on industrial and transport related emissions, the impact of non-road machinery is a significant contributor. The School library has a host of resources that inform and educate on responsible management of air emissions.

The industry is also grappling with high rates of mental illness in construction workers. In the UK, the Office of National Statistics figures in 2017 highlighted that the risk of suicide among low-skilled male labourers, particularly those in construction, is 3.7 times higher than the male national average. Other research reveals that work-related stress, anxiety and depression has cost the industry 400,000 work-days a year and accounted for around 20% of all cases of ill health in construction over the last five years. ^[2]. The School content on Fairness, Inclusion and Respect and Wellbeing are raising awareness of health and wellbeing issues in the sector and provides guidance on worker wellbeing on construction sites and mental ill health.

[1] https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2021/table-4

[2] https://www.raconteur.net/business-innovation/building-up-wellbeing-in-construction

Promote sustained inclusive and stable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Economic growth is inextricably linked with the other SDGs. Stronger economies will afford us more opportunities to build a more resilient and sustainable world. Economic growth must be inclusive improving the well-being of all sections of society, especially the most vulnerable.

The Irish built environment sector has a key role to play in delivering this goal. The construction industry alone employs approximately 220 thousand people (8% of our workforce) and construction output was estimated at €22 billion in 2022 which formed 5% of the country's GDP.

The School’s employment conditions, skills and ethics resources align with this goal as we address issues that can help achieve a productive workforce. We provide guidance to our members about:

• The terms under which people are employed (e.g. use of zero hours contracts, working time directives)


• Wages rates (e.g. minimum wage, living wage)


• Workforce skills development (e.g. apprenticeships, training)


• The conditions in which people work


• How people are treated at work (addressed by our FIR programme)

Such activities help the sector attract talent from our country’s increasingly diverse talent pool.

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Today, 54% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 66% by 2050. Projections show that urbanisation combined with the overall growth of the world’s population could add another 2.5 billion people to urban populations by 2050.

It is essential that our urban spaces are attractive, healthy, flexible and functional places that people enjoy living in.

The School provides resources to increase the knowledge, skills and competence of our supply chain members to deliver more sustainable, inclusive, safe and resilient built environments. Social value can be consciously created during the design, construction and operation of built environment assets. Designers and architects play a key role here and the School’s resources on Community and Social Impact include guidance to influence design to help ensure social value is considered and incorporated.

Ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns

This goal aims to achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources and substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, by 2030. Based on volume, Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste is the largest waste stream in the EU. In 2021 for non-hazardous C&D waste other than soil and stone, Ireland achieved 85% material recovery, surpassing the 70% European target, although this is mostly as low-grade products.

The School provides a comprehensive suite of learning resources to help reduce waste, from simple changes on site to reduce, re-use and recycle construction waste, through to the implementation of lean construction principles that can minimise both wasted materials and wasted time. Designing out waste is also one of the key elements of lean construction and the circular economy. The School has a growing body of learning resources to promote a transition to more circular practices, encouraging resources to flow in a circular way, thereby eliminating waste wherever possible.

SDG 12 encourages companies to adopt sustainable business practices, and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle. It also recognises the importance of promoting sustainable procurement practices. This is central to the School’s offering and our resources provide guidance on sustainability strategy, performance measurement and sustainable procurement for large or smaller organisations, based on best practice advice outlined in ISO 20400.

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Responding to climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our era. With buildings (including their operation) contributing up to 50% ^[1] of total CO₂ emissions, it is clear the built environment sector has a vital and urgent role to play. It’s also worth noting that 55% of the global industrial carbon emissions come from the manufacture and processing of five key materials: steel (25%), cement (19%), paper (4%), plastic (3%) and aluminium (3%). Of these materials, our industry is a primary consumer of cement and is responsible for consuming approximately 26% of aluminium, 50% of steel, and 25% of plastic. Climate change will affect levels of rainfall, heat and wind and frequency of storms, meaning we must adapt our building practices and construct clean, healthy, low carbon assets that are resilient to climate related hazards.

The School provides learning resources at beginner, intermediate and expert level covering a wealth of related issues including climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy management and energy reduction, embodied energy, low carbon retrofit, energy reporting, carbon footprinting and carbon offsetting.

[1] BREEAM Mat 6 see: https://www.breeam.com/BREEAMUK2014SchemeDocument/content/09_material/mat06.htm

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss

The biological diversity (biodiversity) of wildlife, plants and their habitats is a vital component of healthy, well-functioning ecosystems, which in turn sustains all life on the planet. Research from the European Commission highlights that the wellbeing of every human being is ‘directly dependant on ecosystem services’. However, the current rate of global diversity loss is estimated to be 100 to 1000 times higher than the naturally occurring rates.

As a percentage, the amount of land in Ireland that is ‘built on’ is very small, however urban expansion and the sector’s massive consumption of natural resources means that it has a key role to play to address SDG 15. Biodiversity is a core issue addressed by the School. We provide:

• Advice on how construction projects can move beyond a compliance approach and positively impact local wildlife in planning and development;


• Learning resources relating to responsible sourcing of materials to minimise damage to the environment, and minimise depletion of resources from the point at which a material is mined or harvested in its raw state through manufacture and processing;


• Learning resources on use, reuse and recycling, until its final disposal as waste with no further value.

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

In the built environment sector, education and training is vital. The School offers over 500 resources covering a variety of issues to help our Partners and supply chain members acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote a more sustainable built environment. Our CPD accredited e-learning and workshops help support professional development across the sector. The School is paid for by our Partners, so it is free to anyone with an interest in sustainable development.

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Construction has historically been a male-dominated industry lacking female representation across all levels, particularly in senior management. Times are changing, and the needs and benefits of having a diverse workforce are increasingly being recognised.

Through the School’s Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Programme, we help member organisations to build an environment that develops, enhances and retains female staff, and encourages women to enter the industry. We strive to make construction an industry that both women and men enjoy being a part of and the FIR resources in our library provides training that anyone can access and use, at any time.

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

This goal requires a substantial increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix and a doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The built environment sector can play a significant role by incorporating renewable energy technology on built assets and improving the energy efficiency of building and structures.

The School provides numerous learning resources to help members improve energy management, carbon and energy reduction and use of low carbon technologies.

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation

Building resilient infrastructure is central to the effective functioning of the economy and, therefore, a major driver for the delivery of many SDGs. The School brings a host of world-class resources to enhance skills, promote innovation and drive sustainable infrastructure and the built environment. These include guidance to increase resource efficiency and promote clean and environmentally sound construction practices.

Reduce inequality within and among countries

Targets associated with this SDG include the need to empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. It also aims to sustain income growth for the poorest 40% in our society. The School contributes to SDG 10 primarily through its FIR Programme. This helps Partners and members implement a culture of fairness, inclusion and respect throughout the business and supply chain to ensure equality of opportunity, and to harness the skills and talents of a diverse workforce.

Promoting FIR brings many business benefits to the companies that work to achieve it. As a sector, the built environment industry need to embrace FIR to attract, recruit, train and retain the skills and talent that it needs to deliver our pipeline of works.

Our employment and skills guidance also helps members understand the benefits of responsible employment practices, including payment of the living wage and reaching out to disadvantaged groups within our community, such as long term unemployed, ex-offenders and women returners.

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss

The biological diversity (biodiversity) of wildlife, plants and their habitats is a vital component of healthy, well-functioning ecosystems, which in turn sustains all life on the planet. Research from the European Commission highlights that the wellbeing of every human being is ‘directly dependant on ecosystem services’. However, the current rate of global diversity loss is estimated to be 100 to 1000 times higher than the naturally occurring rates.

As a percentage, the amount of land in Ireland that is ‘built on’ is very small, however urban expansion and the sector’s massive consumption of natural resources means that it has a key role to play to address SDG 15. Biodiversity is a core issue addressed by the School. We provide:

• Advice on how construction projects can move beyond a compliance approach and positively impact local wildlife in planning and development;


• Learning resources relating to responsible sourcing of materials to minimise damage to the environment, and minimise depletion of resources from the point at which a material is mined or harvested in its raw state through manufacture and processing;


• Learning resources on use, reuse and recycling, until its final disposal as waste with no further value.

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

Goal 17 calls upon global partnerships to support the achievement of the SDGs in all countries, particularly in developing countries. The scope of School activities lies within Ireland, and our Partners all have a mutual interest in building the skills of the supply chain. This collaborative model enables us to promote a unified approach and strengthen the delivery of sustainable construction practices across the supply chain.