Section 2 Green Economy

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

[25] ISO: Environmental management.

[26] Yilmaz O, Anctil A, Karanfil T. LCA as a decision support tool for evaluation of best available techniques (BATs) for cleaner production of iron casting. Journal of Cleaner Production.

[27] Yang G, Zhang G, Yang H. Current state of sludge production, management, treatment and disposal in China. Water

[28] Xiao LS, Wang R, Chiang PC. Comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of accelerated carbonation processes using steelmaking slag for CO2 fixation. Aerosol and Air Quality

Research. 2014;**14**(3):892-904

2004;**7**(6):499-508

2013;**6**:871-883

[29] Deaton BJ, Hoehn JP. Hedonic analysis of hazardous waste sites in the presence of other urban disamenities. Environmental Science and Policy.

[30] Piippo S, Lauronen M, Postila H. Greenhouse gas emissions from different sewage sludge treatment methods in north. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018;**177**:483-492

[31] Wang N-Y, Shih C-H, Chiueh P-T, Huang Y-F. Environmental effects of sewage sludge carbonization and other treatment alternatives. Energies.

Water footprint: Principles, requirements and guidelines. ISO 14046:2014, ISO, Geneva, Switzerland;

2014

2015;**105**:337-347

Research. 2015;**78**:60-73

processes and scales. Water Science and

[17] Brown S, Beecher N, Carpenter A. Calculator tool for determining greenhouse gas emissions for biosolid processing and end use.

Environmental Science and Technology.

[18] Nakakubo T, Tokai A, Ohno K. Comparative assessment of

technological systems for recycling sludge and food waste at greenhouse gas emissions reduction and phosphorus recovery. Journal of Cleaner Production.

[19] EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection

[21] Tillman AM, Ekvall T, Baumann H, Rydberg T. Choice of system boundaries in life cycle assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production. 1993;**2**:21-29

[22] Wiloso EI, Heijungs R, Snoo GR. LCA of second generation bioethanol: A review and some issues to be resolved for good LCA practice. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

[23] ISO: Environmental management– Life cycle assessment: Principles and framework. ISO 14040:2006, ISO, Geneva, Switzerland; 2006

[24] ISO: Greenhouse gases .Carbon footprint of products: Requirements and guidelines for quantification and communication. ISO/TS 14067:2013, ISO, Geneva, Switzerland; 2013

2012;**16**:5295-5308

Agency. Life Cycle Assessment: Principles and Practice. Washington, DC. EPA/600/R-06/060; 2006

[20] Jiménez-González C, Kim S, Overcash M. Methodology for developing gate-to-gate life cycle inventory information. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 2000;**5**:153-159

Technology. 2010;**61**(2):365-373

2010;**44**:9509-9515

2012;**32**:157-172

**98**

**101**

**Chapter 6**

**Abstract**

investment

**1. Introduction**

Circular Economy and Green

Until now, construction was considered through the prism of technical possibilities of implementing investment plan supporting and, at the same time, urbanization processes. The development model, present in highly developed countries, is far from sustainable. The departure from natural technologies for erecting construction works must have resulted in excessive use of resources, mainly nonrenewable. The strong negative impact on the natural environment of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry cannot go unnoticed. Therefore, a solution to the problem of excessive energy consumption in technological processes in construction, which are also generators of huge amounts of pollution, should be discovered. Circular economy (CE) is one of the concepts of response to the threat posed by these negative externalities. It is worth considering construction materials as reusable elements, e.g., after the demolition of a building. The implementation of the CE concept in AEC requires an identification of the next stage in the life cycle of buildings—the rebirth. The chapter focuses on the issues of green public procurement present in the orbit of interest of decision-makers from the European Union. It was associated with the idea of CE, which is significantly

entering the construction sector in both managerial and technical terms.

**Keywords:** circular economy, green public procurement, construction, processes,

from which the organization of construction works starts, impacting the entire

include stone, brick, lime, sand, and wood. Brick, as an innovative material, is becoming more and more popular. It begins to displace wood, which until now has been the main material used in constructions. Even though new ceramic technology is developing rapidly and successfully, not all investors use it. The poorer rural areas are still dotted here and there with thatched cottages. The use of stone remains wide, usually for the needs of foundations. Lime and sand are components of binders without which it would be impossible to permanently connect separated elements of the structure, called semifinished products. It is worth noting that

course of the project life, is to get all appropriate building materials.

The first, and probably one of the most important steps in construction projects,

Imagine the following situation. The basic raw materials used to erect buildings

Public Procurement in the

European Union

*Jarosław Górecki*

#### **Chapter 6**

## Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union

*Jarosław Górecki*

#### **Abstract**

Until now, construction was considered through the prism of technical possibilities of implementing investment plan supporting and, at the same time, urbanization processes. The development model, present in highly developed countries, is far from sustainable. The departure from natural technologies for erecting construction works must have resulted in excessive use of resources, mainly nonrenewable. The strong negative impact on the natural environment of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry cannot go unnoticed. Therefore, a solution to the problem of excessive energy consumption in technological processes in construction, which are also generators of huge amounts of pollution, should be discovered. Circular economy (CE) is one of the concepts of response to the threat posed by these negative externalities. It is worth considering construction materials as reusable elements, e.g., after the demolition of a building. The implementation of the CE concept in AEC requires an identification of the next stage in the life cycle of buildings—the rebirth. The chapter focuses on the issues of green public procurement present in the orbit of interest of decision-makers from the European Union. It was associated with the idea of CE, which is significantly entering the construction sector in both managerial and technical terms.

**Keywords:** circular economy, green public procurement, construction, processes, investment

#### **1. Introduction**

The first, and probably one of the most important steps in construction projects, from which the organization of construction works starts, impacting the entire course of the project life, is to get all appropriate building materials.

Imagine the following situation. The basic raw materials used to erect buildings include stone, brick, lime, sand, and wood. Brick, as an innovative material, is becoming more and more popular. It begins to displace wood, which until now has been the main material used in constructions. Even though new ceramic technology is developing rapidly and successfully, not all investors use it. The poorer rural areas are still dotted here and there with thatched cottages. The use of stone remains wide, usually for the needs of foundations. Lime and sand are components of binders without which it would be impossible to permanently connect separated elements of the structure, called semifinished products. It is worth noting that

feudalism effectively limits the development of quarries and brickyards. However, the effective transport of purchased goods depends mainly on the distance from the factory to the built-in location. Transportation of building materials is extremely expensive and requires the provision of a sufficiently high number of means of transport, i.e., horse-drawn or oxen-drawn wagons. Transport accounts for a significant percentage of construction costs and sometimes equals or even exceeds the value of transported materials. These reasons cause that the construction industry suffers from a permanent shortage of materials. Insufficient production capacity can be evidenced by the common recovery of demolition building materials [1]. This process is an alternative to the linear production model, in which the deficiencies described earlier effectively limit the development of societies.

This could be a perfect genesis of the idea of circular economy (CE) in the construction sector. The realities presented in the source texts dating back to the Middle Ages are close to those present in the twenty-first century. Unfortunately, in the meantime, there have been some twists and turns that on the one hand effectively limit thinking about construction as an eco-friendly industry and on the other hand that there is no turning back from radical moves and changes.

One of the turning points was the successful research on polymers carried out in the twentieth century. Since the 1950s, it is the moment when mass production of plastics began; over 8000 million metric tons (Mt) were produced in total [2]. The lion's share of this production goes to the construction industry [3] in the form of materials and packaging. Their advantages often overcome the disadvantages that are unacceptable from an ecological point of view. Synthetic materials disintegrate for a very long time, and from the point of view of even several consecutive generations, a majority of them are practically not degradable. Globally, the majority of plastic waste goes to landfills, not always legal ones, and from there to the seas and oceans. The increase in pollution caused by the presence of plastic in the water is frightening [4–6]. The augmented mortality of marine life (fish, marine mammals, flora), as well as the potential threat of the presence of microplastics in the food chain (of which human being is a part), caused that the problem really begins to be discussed. Political decisions are inevitable, but personal habits require a drastic, immediate change.

Households are subject to some consistent waste management policies in many countries. Unfortunately, construction sites are not restrictively treated as, e.g., individual properties, there are not so many fractions, and the garbage received is often mixed and unsuitable for reuse or further processing. But negative externalities of the construction industry are not just solid wastes. There are other pollutants and emissions generated throughout the entire life cycle of construction projects. The problem has been increasing step by step.

That is why the European Union bodies decide to significantly change its legal regulations or to create new guidelines which are focused on encouraging authorities and individual people to return to sustainable development. Since 2010, the European Commission has been sharing lessons learned on green public procurement (GPP) to show how public authorities in the European Union have successfully "greened" public tenders and procurement processes. GPP was defined in the Communication entitled "Public procurement for a better environment" as "a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured" [7].

This chapter concentrates on the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and its impacts on the environment. All issues related to the concept of circular economy and green public procurement were shown in the light

**103**

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

of this sector which is treated as the most significant source of contaminants. The research covers a literature review on the CE concept and GPP. The results of the study on the ecological quality of construction processes were included too. Besides, a contribution of the chapter is to show a proposal of the eco-friendly vision of AEC supported by CE-based procedures implemented in GPP strategy in the

Many concepts limiting a negative impact on the environment are nowadays promoted all over the world. Circular economy has become a solution that theoretically provides significant relief to nature. To make this concept not just a substitute for a somewhat diminished "sustainable development," it is expected that radical

According to Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a famous worldwide trendsetter of the concept of a circular economy, a transition from a linear model of production to closed-loop variant helps to work effectively at all scales [8]. It does not cover only some adjustments aimed at reducing the negative externalities of the traditional economic paradigm. It simply represents a systemic transition that builds long-term

AEC, as a sector with high resource consumption, is a good example for explaining how far CE may be useful. It is one of the world's largest waste generators [9]. At the same time, it consumes 40% of the materials entering the global economy and generates 40–50% of the global output of greenhouse gas emissions [10]. Therefore, this sector cannot be considered as environmentally friendly. However, due to recent observations, even in the AEC sector, decision-makers are wondering how to implement some radical changes aiming to reverse the fate of the impending

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation underlines that the term of circularity has a deep historical and philosophical background. However, with current advances, information technology has the power to support the transition to a circular economy by radically increasing virtualization, transparency, and feedback-driven intelligence. CE model promotes the notion to make more sustainable production models, which are based on careful management of resources and the reduction of negative impacts. Its applications can foster significant improvements in the

There are different perspectives for analyzing the problem of circular economy in the construction sector: from technological issues, to the constructability of the solutions based on the zero-waste attitude and management perspective (only what gets measured gets done [11]), to system problems concerning the whole life cycle of the projects [12] and strategic perspective. In addition, it has to be said that planning the colonization of space requires solid rudiments. It seems that CE can be also

Scientists are building the theoretical rudiments for the new concept [13]. New CE-related professions emerge. Therefore, proper preparation for such a revolution is needed. The methods of selecting suitable candidates for the position of circular economy manager were developed [14]. Systemic changes are also needed [15, 16]. The following concepts like biomimicry [17], industrial ecology [18], cradle to cradle [19], and design for deconstruction [20] are inseparably connected with the

It turns out that CE is becoming an exemplary attitude for decision-makers

changes in shaping natural resource management policies are created.

resilience and provides environmental and social reliefs.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

**2. Circular economy concept**

environmental disaster.

sustainability of the AEC sector.

concept of CE in the AEC sector.

when it comes to public procurement.

applicable to such long-range plans of humanity.

European Union.

#### *Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

of this sector which is treated as the most significant source of contaminants. The research covers a literature review on the CE concept and GPP. The results of the study on the ecological quality of construction processes were included too. Besides, a contribution of the chapter is to show a proposal of the eco-friendly vision of AEC supported by CE-based procedures implemented in GPP strategy in the European Union.

#### **2. Circular economy concept**

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

feudalism effectively limits the development of quarries and brickyards. However, the effective transport of purchased goods depends mainly on the distance from the factory to the built-in location. Transportation of building materials is extremely expensive and requires the provision of a sufficiently high number of means of transport, i.e., horse-drawn or oxen-drawn wagons. Transport accounts for a significant percentage of construction costs and sometimes equals or even exceeds the value of transported materials. These reasons cause that the construction industry suffers from a permanent shortage of materials. Insufficient production capacity can be evidenced by the common recovery of demolition building materials [1]. This process is an alternative to the linear production model, in which the deficien-

This could be a perfect genesis of the idea of circular economy (CE) in the construction sector. The realities presented in the source texts dating back to the Middle Ages are close to those present in the twenty-first century. Unfortunately, in the meantime, there have been some twists and turns that on the one hand effectively limit thinking about construction as an eco-friendly industry and on the other hand

One of the turning points was the successful research on polymers carried out in the twentieth century. Since the 1950s, it is the moment when mass production of plastics began; over 8000 million metric tons (Mt) were produced in total [2]. The lion's share of this production goes to the construction industry [3] in the form of materials and packaging. Their advantages often overcome the disadvantages that are unacceptable from an ecological point of view. Synthetic materials disintegrate for a very long time, and from the point of view of even several consecutive generations, a majority of them are practically not degradable. Globally, the majority of plastic waste goes to landfills, not always legal ones, and from there to the seas and oceans. The increase in pollution caused by the presence of plastic in the water is frightening [4–6]. The augmented mortality of marine life (fish, marine mammals, flora), as well as the potential threat of the presence of microplastics in the food chain (of which human being is a part), caused that the problem really begins to be discussed. Political decisions are inevitable, but personal habits require a drastic,

Households are subject to some consistent waste management policies in many countries. Unfortunately, construction sites are not restrictively treated as, e.g., individual properties, there are not so many fractions, and the garbage received is often mixed and unsuitable for reuse or further processing. But negative externalities of the construction industry are not just solid wastes. There are other pollutants and emissions generated throughout the entire life cycle of construction projects.

That is why the European Union bodies decide to significantly change its legal regulations or to create new guidelines which are focused on encouraging authorities and individual people to return to sustainable development. Since 2010, the European Commission has been sharing lessons learned on green public procurement (GPP) to show how public authorities in the European Union have successfully "greened" public tenders and procurement processes. GPP was defined in the Communication entitled "Public procurement for a better environment" as "a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be

This chapter concentrates on the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and its impacts on the environment. All issues related to the concept of circular economy and green public procurement were shown in the light

cies described earlier effectively limit the development of societies.

that there is no turning back from radical moves and changes.

**102**

procured" [7].

immediate change.

The problem has been increasing step by step.

Many concepts limiting a negative impact on the environment are nowadays promoted all over the world. Circular economy has become a solution that theoretically provides significant relief to nature. To make this concept not just a substitute for a somewhat diminished "sustainable development," it is expected that radical changes in shaping natural resource management policies are created.

According to Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a famous worldwide trendsetter of the concept of a circular economy, a transition from a linear model of production to closed-loop variant helps to work effectively at all scales [8]. It does not cover only some adjustments aimed at reducing the negative externalities of the traditional economic paradigm. It simply represents a systemic transition that builds long-term resilience and provides environmental and social reliefs.

AEC, as a sector with high resource consumption, is a good example for explaining how far CE may be useful. It is one of the world's largest waste generators [9]. At the same time, it consumes 40% of the materials entering the global economy and generates 40–50% of the global output of greenhouse gas emissions [10]. Therefore, this sector cannot be considered as environmentally friendly. However, due to recent observations, even in the AEC sector, decision-makers are wondering how to implement some radical changes aiming to reverse the fate of the impending environmental disaster.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation underlines that the term of circularity has a deep historical and philosophical background. However, with current advances, information technology has the power to support the transition to a circular economy by radically increasing virtualization, transparency, and feedback-driven intelligence. CE model promotes the notion to make more sustainable production models, which are based on careful management of resources and the reduction of negative impacts. Its applications can foster significant improvements in the sustainability of the AEC sector.

There are different perspectives for analyzing the problem of circular economy in the construction sector: from technological issues, to the constructability of the solutions based on the zero-waste attitude and management perspective (only what gets measured gets done [11]), to system problems concerning the whole life cycle of the projects [12] and strategic perspective. In addition, it has to be said that planning the colonization of space requires solid rudiments. It seems that CE can be also applicable to such long-range plans of humanity.

Scientists are building the theoretical rudiments for the new concept [13]. New CE-related professions emerge. Therefore, proper preparation for such a revolution is needed. The methods of selecting suitable candidates for the position of circular economy manager were developed [14]. Systemic changes are also needed [15, 16].

The following concepts like biomimicry [17], industrial ecology [18], cradle to cradle [19], and design for deconstruction [20] are inseparably connected with the concept of CE in the AEC sector.

It turns out that CE is becoming an exemplary attitude for decision-makers when it comes to public procurement.

#### **3. Green public procurement (GPP)**

For almost 10 years, the European Commission has been promoting a voluntary instrument connected with good practice experiences on green public procurement. It helps to illustrate how public authorities all over Europe have successfully "greened" a public tender/procurement process. There are many ideas, methods, and tools to expand environmentally friendly attitudes towards business and public development. Among others, they are circular economy concept, sustainable innovations, life cycle costing, etc. Therefore, GPP can be treated as a strategy in which public institutions try to obtain goods, services, and works whose environmental impact during their whole life cycle is smaller than other variants of identical purpose that would be ordered otherwise. It tries to encourage market players to convert their ways of thinking into more sustainable. It attracts decision-makers' interest in the possible alternatives in terms of making the best offer selection more effective. As a part of the new solution, there are good practice cases published online [21], accessible to all interested parties, which provide some suggestions for replicating experiences. There are 22 sections, ordered alphabetically, where one can find different case studies described carefully and focused on making procurement processes less harmful to plants, animals, and other organisms that live on Earth.

According to the European Commission [22], green public procurement can provide public authorities with financial savings. Taking into account the cost of ordered products or services throughout their life cycle can reveal that a selection based only on the price of the purchase can mislead the decision-makers and encourage them to choose not the best offer. However, an awareness of public authorities is rather low. While GPP stays a voluntary procedure, it is important to educate people responsible for procurement processes and explain to them what really pays off. For example, buying products with low-energy or water consumption can lead to a significant reduction in utility bills. Lowering the share of hazardous substances in purchased products (goods or services) can limit the cost of disposal or recycling. Moreover, the bodies responsible for the GPP implementation will be prepared to meet changing environmental challenges as well as to achieve targets for reducing CO2 emissions and increasing the energy efficiency of products manufactured in the European Union.

#### **3.1 Legal regulations**

Each EU member state has to follow some legal regulations. There are basically three areas in the field of legislation related to green public procurement: national law, EU law, and other laws. As for national law, the member states introduce laws together with a number of regulations as implementing acts to those legal acts that specify the nature of public procurement proceedings. Their content is adapted to promote GPP. Then, there is the EU law, which is conditioned by the Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC [23]. It addresses environmental issues in the following areas:

**105**

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

Other laws are formal records related to GPP but not necessarily connected with

• Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive

• Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and

• Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19

• Regulation (EC) No. 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council

• Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organizations in a community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS), repealing Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 and Commission Decisions 2001/681/EC and 2006/193/EC

• Regulation (EC) No. 1222/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the labelling of tires with respect to fuel efficiency

• Directive 2009/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport

• Regulation (EC) No. 106/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on a Community energy efficiency labelling program for

The European Commission has taken some steps to create common criteria for GPP that can be used in all EU member states. They were developed for those product groups that were considered as the most suitable for GPP implementation. The criteria are the result of close cooperation between the services of the European Commission and other stakeholders. An application of the criteria is nonobligatory. They were formulated so that, after some minor changes, they

2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC

May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings

of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel

and other essential parameters

vehicles

office equipment

**3.2 Environmental criteria**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

• Grounds for exclusion

• Life cycle costing

2010/30/EU

• Qualification criteria

• Technical specifications

the core of procurement matter. These are:

• Labels


*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*


*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

For almost 10 years, the European Commission has been promoting a voluntary

instrument connected with good practice experiences on green public procurement. It helps to illustrate how public authorities all over Europe have successfully "greened" a public tender/procurement process. There are many ideas, methods, and tools to expand environmentally friendly attitudes towards business and public development. Among others, they are circular economy concept, sustainable innovations, life cycle costing, etc. Therefore, GPP can be treated as a strategy in which public institutions try to obtain goods, services, and works whose environmental impact during their whole life cycle is smaller than other variants of identical purpose that would be ordered otherwise. It tries to encourage market players to convert their ways of thinking into more sustainable. It attracts decision-makers' interest in the possible alternatives in terms of making the best offer selection more effective. As a part of the new solution, there are good practice cases published online [21], accessible to all interested parties, which provide some suggestions for replicating experiences. There are 22 sections, ordered alphabetically, where one can find different case studies described carefully and focused on making procurement processes less harmful to plants, animals, and other organisms that live on

According to the European Commission [22], green public procurement can provide public authorities with financial savings. Taking into account the cost of ordered products or services throughout their life cycle can reveal that a selection based only on the price of the purchase can mislead the decision-makers and encourage them to choose not the best offer. However, an awareness of public authorities is rather low. While GPP stays a voluntary procedure, it is important to educate people responsible for procurement processes and explain to them what really pays off. For example, buying products with low-energy or water consumption can lead to a significant reduction in utility bills. Lowering the share of hazardous substances in purchased products (goods or services) can limit the cost of disposal or recycling. Moreover, the bodies responsible for the GPP implementation will be prepared to meet changing environmental challenges as well as to achieve targets for reducing CO2 emissions and increasing the energy efficiency of products

Each EU member state has to follow some legal regulations. There are basically three areas in the field of legislation related to green public procurement: national law, EU law, and other laws. As for national law, the member states introduce laws together with a number of regulations as implementing acts to those legal acts that specify the nature of public procurement proceedings. Their content is adapted to promote GPP. Then, there is the EU law, which is conditioned by the Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC [23]. It addresses

**3. Green public procurement (GPP)**

manufactured in the European Union.

environmental issues in the following areas:

• Contract performance conditions

• Environmental management standards

**3.1 Legal regulations**

• Award criteria

**104**

Earth.


Other laws are formal records related to GPP but not necessarily connected with the core of procurement matter. These are:


#### **3.2 Environmental criteria**

The European Commission has taken some steps to create common criteria for GPP that can be used in all EU member states. They were developed for those product groups that were considered as the most suitable for GPP implementation. The criteria are the result of close cooperation between the services of the European Commission and other stakeholders. An application of the criteria is nonobligatory. They were formulated so that, after some minor changes, they

could be included (partly or fully) in the procurement documentation by a body. In the AEC sector, the most relevant criteria are for:


All the above requirements generally aim to find a balance between environmental performance, economic effectiveness, market availability, and controlling accessibility.

In order to understand the European development model based on GPP and CE, theoretical considerations on ecology should be presented.

#### **4. Ecological engineering vs. theory of ecology**

Practical applications of the theory of ecology are connected with a scope of ecological engineering. This phenomenon can be understood as a field of applied sciences, which is the basis for rational use and protection of the environment as well as natural and anthropogenic resources. It can be described as a design of sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with its natural environment for the benefit of both [34]. Being the nexus of ecology and engineering design, ecological engineering is a distinct engineering discipline [35]. It is used for the ecological development of societies. Ecological engineering deals with the development of new procedures in case where the classical ones are based on assumptions that cannot be real. At the same time, it is based on theoretical knowledge in the field of the general theory of ecology. Ecological engineering solutions also generate issues for general considerations, developing the theory of ecology covering life and technical science, economy, and social science. A complementarity of engineering and ecology theory is presented in **Figure 1**.

On the other hand, according to Allen et al. [36], environmental engineering is an extension of the engineering process that considers the environment in as many aspects as are thought to be relevant. Environmental engineering, as opposed to ecological engineering, works only with the structure; it lists its components and evaluates the effects of the ecosystem on the components. As a result, environmental engineering then remains a part of engineering, although having an awareness of ecology.

**107**

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

Odum and Odum [37] maintain that environmental engineering develops the technology for connecting society to the environment. However, technology is only one part of interference with the environment. The other part is provided by the ecosystems as they organize themselves to adapt to the special conditions. Ecological engineering takes advantage of the ecosystems as they link natural

*Ecological engineering and its connections with the theory of ecology as well as practice and general theory.*

The theory and practice, despite dialectical unity, can be distinguished by a number of specific features, among which are a degree of generalization of prob-

A goal of knowledge management is, in general, to inform and influence decision-making in the organization. Knowledge is recognized as the most important resource of the organization. In fact, maps of knowledge are helpful tools in knowledge management. They are usually created on the basis of audits [38].

• Creation of biological infrastructure, which contains all components of

• Production functions, including individual components of the natural

• Culture-forming and civilization functions related to the impact of the natural environment on the non-economic sphere of human activity, influencing the

Hamdoun et al. [42] maintain that there are clear relationships between quality management, environmental management, knowledge transfer, and innovation. It can be noted that quality management has a positive effect on environmental management. Then, quality management and environmental management positively

• Creation of ecological and technical infrastructure, in which all components of the natural environment dominate, as a set of conditions accompanying

environment conditioning life forms on Earth

production and determining its proper processes

creation of the value system of a given society

• Resources conditioning the continuity of economic processes

The management of an organization's environmental programs in a holistic and documented manner is often called the environmental management system (EMS). In 1996, the International Organization for Standardization adopted a new international standard for EMS-ISO 14001 [39]. The actual language of the standard is that the information should be communicated to facilitate effective environmental management [40]. According to Kacsmerk [41], there are several subjects of

resources and outputs from the economy to generate useful work.

lems, assumptions, a subject of analysis, etc.

environmental management:

**Figure 1.**

environment

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

#### **Figure 1.**

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

In the AEC sector, the most relevant criteria are for:

• Sanitary tapware [24] (last update, 2013)

• Toilets and urinals [25] (last update, 2013)

• Water-based heaters [27] (last update, 2014)

• Road transport [32] (last update, 2019)

accessibility.

• Waste water infrastructure [26] (last update, 2013)

could be included (partly or fully) in the procurement documentation by a body.

• Road design, construction and maintenance [28] (last update, 2016)

• Paints, varnishes and road marking [30] (last update, 2018)

• Road lighting and traffic signals [31] (last update, 2018)

• Public space maintenance [33] (last update, 2019)

theoretical considerations on ecology should be presented.

**4. Ecological engineering vs. theory of ecology**

and ecology theory is presented in **Figure 1**.

• Office building design, construction and management [29] (last update, 2016)

All the above requirements generally aim to find a balance between environmental performance, economic effectiveness, market availability, and controlling

Practical applications of the theory of ecology are connected with a scope of ecological engineering. This phenomenon can be understood as a field of applied sciences, which is the basis for rational use and protection of the environment as well as natural and anthropogenic resources. It can be described as a design of sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with its natural environment for the benefit of both [34]. Being the nexus of ecology and engineering design, ecological engineering is a distinct engineering discipline [35]. It is used for the ecological development of societies. Ecological engineering deals with the development of new procedures in case where the classical ones are based on assumptions that cannot be real. At the same time, it is based on theoretical knowledge in the field of the general theory of ecology. Ecological engineering solutions also generate issues for general considerations, developing the theory of ecology covering life and technical science, economy, and social science. A complementarity of engineering

On the other hand, according to Allen et al. [36], environmental engineering is an extension of the engineering process that considers the environment in as many aspects as are thought to be relevant. Environmental engineering, as opposed to ecological engineering, works only with the structure; it lists its components and evaluates the effects of the ecosystem on the components. As a result, environmental engineering then remains a part of engineering, although having an awareness of

In order to understand the European development model based on GPP and CE,

**106**

ecology.

*Ecological engineering and its connections with the theory of ecology as well as practice and general theory.*

Odum and Odum [37] maintain that environmental engineering develops the technology for connecting society to the environment. However, technology is only one part of interference with the environment. The other part is provided by the ecosystems as they organize themselves to adapt to the special conditions. Ecological engineering takes advantage of the ecosystems as they link natural resources and outputs from the economy to generate useful work.

The theory and practice, despite dialectical unity, can be distinguished by a number of specific features, among which are a degree of generalization of problems, assumptions, a subject of analysis, etc.

A goal of knowledge management is, in general, to inform and influence decision-making in the organization. Knowledge is recognized as the most important resource of the organization. In fact, maps of knowledge are helpful tools in knowledge management. They are usually created on the basis of audits [38].

The management of an organization's environmental programs in a holistic and documented manner is often called the environmental management system (EMS). In 1996, the International Organization for Standardization adopted a new international standard for EMS-ISO 14001 [39]. The actual language of the standard is that the information should be communicated to facilitate effective environmental management [40]. According to Kacsmerk [41], there are several subjects of environmental management:


Hamdoun et al. [42] maintain that there are clear relationships between quality management, environmental management, knowledge transfer, and innovation. It can be noted that quality management has a positive effect on environmental management. Then, quality management and environmental management positively

influence innovation, and what is interesting is that both quality management and environmental management positively influence knowledge transfer. It was also revealed that there is a positive effect of knowledge transfer on innovation.

A combination of "management" and "civil engineering" disciplines delivers foundations of knowledge management in construction companies. The knowledge must relate to problems connected with the nature of construction processes, whose implementation is embedded in closer and further economic environment. The management staff of construction companies must be able to use market opportunities to get involved in the implementation of construction projects in a way that ensures achieving the organization's strategic goals. They should also be able to create the operational prospects for anticipated forms and ranges of participation of the company in construction projects. Experience accumulates organizational knowledge and, along with the ability to predict economic principles, also at the global level, allows to transform construction enterprises into learning organizations. Seeing that the construction industry is increasingly competitive, and demanding improved inter-organizational relations, construction companies cannot use out-of-date business philosophies, if they want to remain in business [43]. Practical knowledge about construction projects starts with choosing the right place for buildings or nonbuilding structures. A building plot should have the right size and shape. It is also worth to check out if the location is near wetlands or floodplains and whether the plot has access to a public road. Formal issues also include a verification of the local development plan documents and other statements.

The next part of this chapter will be devoted to the relationship between ecological quality and construction processes.

#### **5. Ecological quality of construction process ecosystem**

Raising the level of environmental sensitivity leads to the implementation of environmental management principles at various levels of human activity. This applies, in particular, to the AEC industry. Construction processes consume substantial amounts of resources, (raw) materials and energy, and leave their products (buildings, roads, etc.) with many years of life, what requires special consideration of complex relationships between construction production processes and environment.

In recent times, in many countries, there is an increased interest and progress both in the theory of environmental quality management and in the practical application of new environmental management concepts in entities operating in the business environment. Practical effects are brought by the national environmental protection plans and other specific institutional measures. These effects are observed in the form of reducing pollution from various sources. An example of systemic management of environmental protection can be found in many countries. A clear pro-ecological activity, at the level of environmental quality management, is the creation of global standard regulations. The International Organization for Standardization introduced environmental standards of the ISO 14000 family. These documents, despite a lack of their mandatory character, have been widely used so far. Production systems are an essential source of ecological risk, due to the multifaceted connections with the natural environment. The progress, in which advances in technology, science, and social organization produce an improvement in entire societies, carries a number of potential environmental threats. The emerging production plants operating in the natural environment benefit from environmental goods, but unfortunately, on the other hand, are the source of emissions and waste. The

**109**

**Figure 2.**

*Production processes ecosystem.*

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

outcomes of production processes are also a question mark for the environment. Relations between particular elements of production systems are presented in

The implementation of environmental management strategies is possible provided that the information about the environmental system is adequately processed. This applies to both modelling or creating mappings of elements of production systems, as well as the quality of input information, including mainly the specification of places where environmental risks are created. The methods of presenting processed information and interpreting results are also important. In particular, one can mention a way of constructing the model of the environmental impact of production, completeness of threat specifications, variability of threats, significance of the impact of threats on individual features of ecosystems, a method of estimating critical values, and data accuracy (accuracy of measurements, accuracy of readings, distortion). It must be remembered that insignificant changes slowly accumulate in tendencies, and therefore models of environmentally friendly decision-making should be dynamic. From the point of view of places of occurrence of threats that cause ecological risk, it is possible to classify environmental risk factors (externali-

The ecological quality of construction production must be considered in an initial (conceptual planning) phase: e.g., by adjusting the management of the production processes to the ISO 14000 standards. These standards are a set of guidelines, which is in some descriptive documents helpful in the implementation of the so-called cleaner production. A systemic approach to managing the ecological quality of construction production is a prerequisite for obtaining positive environmental effects. A condition of effective environmental management is the systematic collection of information about a state of the environment, as well as the

Geographic information systems (GIS) can be treated as a tool for creating a comprehensive model of these phenomena. Digital maps can be an excellent source of information for making strategic decisions in the spatial management on the regional, macro-regional, country, or international level. Such complementary data can be very useful in making decisions in environmentally managed production systems (with a significant impact on environmental protection). Modelling the ecological quality of construction production, with particular emphasis on ecological risk identification, aims to show the directions of preventive activities

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

ties) of production systems, as in **Table 1**.

sources of potential hazards in production systems.

**Figure 2**.

#### *Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

influence innovation, and what is interesting is that both quality management and environmental management positively influence knowledge transfer. It was also revealed that there is a positive effect of knowledge transfer on innovation.

A combination of "management" and "civil engineering" disciplines delivers foundations of knowledge management in construction companies. The knowledge must relate to problems connected with the nature of construction processes, whose implementation is embedded in closer and further economic environment. The management staff of construction companies must be able to use market opportunities to get involved in the implementation of construction projects in a way that ensures achieving the organization's strategic goals. They should also be able to create the operational prospects for anticipated forms and ranges of participation of the company in construction projects. Experience accumulates organizational knowledge and, along with the ability to predict economic principles, also at the global level, allows to transform construction enterprises into learning organizations. Seeing that the construction industry is increasingly competitive, and demanding improved inter-organizational relations, construction companies cannot use out-of-date business philosophies, if they want to remain in business [43]. Practical knowledge about construction projects starts with choosing the right place for buildings or nonbuilding structures. A building plot should have the right size and shape. It is also worth to check out if the location is near wetlands or floodplains and whether the plot has access to a public road. Formal issues also include a verifi-

cation of the local development plan documents and other statements.

**5. Ecological quality of construction process ecosystem**

cal quality and construction processes.

The next part of this chapter will be devoted to the relationship between ecologi-

Raising the level of environmental sensitivity leads to the implementation of environmental management principles at various levels of human activity. This applies, in particular, to the AEC industry. Construction processes consume substantial amounts of resources, (raw) materials and energy, and leave their products (buildings, roads, etc.) with many years of life, what requires special consideration of complex relationships between construction production processes and

In recent times, in many countries, there is an increased interest and progress both in the theory of environmental quality management and in the practical application of new environmental management concepts in entities operating in the business environment. Practical effects are brought by the national environmental protection plans and other specific institutional measures. These effects are observed in the form of reducing pollution from various sources. An example of systemic management of environmental protection can be found in many countries. A clear pro-ecological activity, at the level of environmental quality management, is the creation of global standard regulations. The International Organization for Standardization introduced environmental standards of the ISO 14000 family. These documents, despite a lack of their mandatory character, have been widely used so far. Production systems are an essential source of ecological risk, due to the multifaceted connections with the natural environment. The progress, in which advances in technology, science, and social organization produce an improvement in entire societies, carries a number of potential environmental threats. The emerging production plants operating in the natural environment benefit from environmental goods, but unfortunately, on the other hand, are the source of emissions and waste. The

**108**

environment.

outcomes of production processes are also a question mark for the environment. Relations between particular elements of production systems are presented in **Figure 2**.

The implementation of environmental management strategies is possible provided that the information about the environmental system is adequately processed. This applies to both modelling or creating mappings of elements of production systems, as well as the quality of input information, including mainly the specification of places where environmental risks are created. The methods of presenting processed information and interpreting results are also important. In particular, one can mention a way of constructing the model of the environmental impact of production, completeness of threat specifications, variability of threats, significance of the impact of threats on individual features of ecosystems, a method of estimating critical values, and data accuracy (accuracy of measurements, accuracy of readings, distortion). It must be remembered that insignificant changes slowly accumulate in tendencies, and therefore models of environmentally friendly decision-making should be dynamic. From the point of view of places of occurrence of threats that cause ecological risk, it is possible to classify environmental risk factors (externalities) of production systems, as in **Table 1**.

The ecological quality of construction production must be considered in an initial (conceptual planning) phase: e.g., by adjusting the management of the production processes to the ISO 14000 standards. These standards are a set of guidelines, which is in some descriptive documents helpful in the implementation of the so-called cleaner production. A systemic approach to managing the ecological quality of construction production is a prerequisite for obtaining positive environmental effects. A condition of effective environmental management is the systematic collection of information about a state of the environment, as well as the sources of potential hazards in production systems.

Geographic information systems (GIS) can be treated as a tool for creating a comprehensive model of these phenomena. Digital maps can be an excellent source of information for making strategic decisions in the spatial management on the regional, macro-regional, country, or international level. Such complementary data can be very useful in making decisions in environmentally managed production systems (with a significant impact on environmental protection). Modelling the ecological quality of construction production, with particular emphasis on ecological risk identification, aims to show the directions of preventive activities

**Figure 2.** *Production processes ecosystem.*


 *Characteristics of sources of environmental threats.*

**111**

**Figure 3.**

*Leading role of respondents.*

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

in relation to the predicted threats to ecosystems. The discovery of nature, and the place of occurrence of threats, as well as the level of risk in ecosystem modelling, is conducive to making accurate decisions in the field of environmentally friendly

The implementation of environmental management principles, including ecological risk, may bring a number of effects, i.e., more efficient use of (raw) materials, and energy leading to the reduction of consumption. Improvements in manufacturing processes lead to a minimization of waste and reduction of costs and enable for the creation of new products and technologies based on environmentally friendly processes ("cleaner production" modes). Also avoiding high costs related to environmental damage (insurance premiums, costs of actions to remove damages) is another effect of intelligent environmental management. Environmental management in construction production, with particular emphasis on the identification of environmental risks, aims to show the directions of preventive actions in relation to the anticipated threats to ecosystems. In the following part of this chapter, the results of our own research on the vision of AEC as an environmentally friendly sector will be presented.

This research was carried out in the form of interviewing technique in which the respondent used an electronic device to answer the questions (computer-assisted personal interviewing). A pilot survey was launched on www.surveymonkey.com platform in January 2019. Thirty participants of construction processes employed by construction companies were asked to complete the questionnaire. They were supported by the researcher. A leading role of respondents is illustrated in **Figure 3**,

The questionnaire consisted of the two questions about a sample description, and the rest were focused on obtaining an answer consistent with the respondent's own conviction regarding the particular areas surveyed, with a degree of

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

**6. Eco-friendly vision of AEC: study results**

and their experience is illustrated in **Figure 4**.

actions.

**6.1 Method**

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

in relation to the predicted threats to ecosystems. The discovery of nature, and the place of occurrence of threats, as well as the level of risk in ecosystem modelling, is conducive to making accurate decisions in the field of environmentally friendly actions.

The implementation of environmental management principles, including ecological risk, may bring a number of effects, i.e., more efficient use of (raw) materials, and energy leading to the reduction of consumption. Improvements in manufacturing processes lead to a minimization of waste and reduction of costs and enable for the creation of new products and technologies based on environmentally friendly processes ("cleaner production" modes). Also avoiding high costs related to environmental damage (insurance premiums, costs of actions to remove damages) is another effect of intelligent environmental management. Environmental management in construction production, with particular emphasis on the identification of environmental risks, aims to show the directions of preventive actions in relation to the anticipated threats to ecosystems. In the following part of this chapter, the results of our own research on the vision of AEC as an environmentally friendly sector will be presented.

#### **6. Eco-friendly vision of AEC: study results**

#### **6.1 Method**

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

**Interior of production system**

**110**

**Type of** 

**Place of occurrence and source of threat**

**impact** 

**factor**

x Systematic

Changes in the

Increase in emission of

x

Incapacity of

Depletion of

resources, increase

the forces of

nature to absorb

of waste

waste

solid pollutants, dust,

gases, radiation, noise

(on input to the system)

environment

cumulating in trends

(e.g., greenhouse

effect)

Nonsystematic

Incorrect estimation

Development of

Sudden damage to

Anomalies of

Cumulative

Failures of

Errors in

modelling

phenomena and

estimating data

technical

systems

effects of resource

consumption

(including water,

energy)

nature (e.g.,

floods)

technical systems in

the environment (e.g.,

explosion at a nuclear

power plant)

new techniques and

technologies generating

new threats

of input data to the

factors

**Table 1.** *Characteristics of sources of environmental threats.*

system

factors

Natural processes

Processes stimulated by

Ecological disasters

Forces of nature

Increased

Failures of

Mistakes of

decision-makers

the system

components

Damage to

Ecological policy

elements of

technical

systems

consumption of

natural resources

human activity

**Exterior of production system**

This research was carried out in the form of interviewing technique in which the respondent used an electronic device to answer the questions (computer-assisted personal interviewing). A pilot survey was launched on www.surveymonkey.com platform in January 2019. Thirty participants of construction processes employed by construction companies were asked to complete the questionnaire. They were supported by the researcher. A leading role of respondents is illustrated in **Figure 3**, and their experience is illustrated in **Figure 4**.

The questionnaire consisted of the two questions about a sample description, and the rest were focused on obtaining an answer consistent with the respondent's own conviction regarding the particular areas surveyed, with a degree of

**Figure 3.** *Leading role of respondents.*

**Figure 4.** *Experience of respondents.*

compliance on a five-point Likert scale, where "1" means "strongly disagree" and "5" "strongly agree."

#### **6.2 Basic attributes of eco-friendly construction**

The respondents commented on the basic attributes of eco-friendly construction. According to their conviction the most important are:


However, the rest are also significant (weighted average over 3,0):


**113**

**Figure 5.**

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

The most important, according to the respondents, are:

In the scope of the research was also to extract knowledge about the desired individual skills expected from employees working in eco-friendly construction.

• Knowledge about building materials used in eco-friendly construction

• Knowledge about the ecological quality of construction technology

The set of skills with their significance is shown in **Figure 5**.

eight qualities present a similar level of significance (3,6–3,9).

*Desired individual skills of employees working in eco-friendly construction.*

According to the respondents, the most important skill demanded from employees of eco-friendly construction is the openness to innovations. However, the rest

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

• Ability of decision-making under risk

• Knowledge about decision-making process

• Knowledge about the natural environment

• Experience in project management

• Interpersonal skills

• Openness to innovation

• Systems thinking skills

#### *Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

In the scope of the research was also to extract knowledge about the desired individual skills expected from employees working in eco-friendly construction. The most important, according to the respondents, are:


*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

compliance on a five-point Likert scale, where "1" means "strongly disagree" and

The respondents commented on the basic attributes of eco-friendly construc-

• Use of low-energy technologies for the construction of buildings and non-

• Ecological quality of design variants for buildings and nonbuilding structures

• Use of low-cost technologies for maintenance of buildings and nonbuilding

However, the rest are also significant (weighted average over 3,0):

• Use of recyclable building materials (weighted average = 3,13)

• Use of renewable energy in the whole life cycle of buildings (weighted

• Limiting water consumption during the entire life cycle of buildings (weighted

• Application of just-in-time (JIT) method in construction works (weighted

**112**

"5" "strongly agree."

*Experience of respondents.*

**Figure 4.**

**6.2 Basic attributes of eco-friendly construction**

tion. According to their conviction the most important are:

building structures (weighted average = 3,63)

(weighted average = 3,53)

average = 3,30)

average = 3,27)

average = 3,10)

structures (weighted average = 3,53)

• Limiting labor intensity (weighted average = 3,57)


The set of skills with their significance is shown in **Figure 5**.

According to the respondents, the most important skill demanded from employees of eco-friendly construction is the openness to innovations. However, the rest eight qualities present a similar level of significance (3,6–3,9).


**Figure 5.** *Desired individual skills of employees working in eco-friendly construction.*

#### **6.3 Ecological quality factors in the opinion of participants of the construction process**

#### *6.3.1 Ecological quality in the design and construction phase*

As the main factors of the ecological quality of construction processes in the design and construction phase, there are:


#### These results are collected in **Figure 6**.

The respondents maintain that two first phases of construction projects (design and construction) bring some difficulties in judging which factors are the most important for assessing ecological quality in projects.

#### *6.3.2 Ecological quality in the maintenance and end-of-life phase*

At the end of the research, the respondents were asked to respond to ecological quality in the maintenance and end-of-life phase. The following have been indicated as the most important:


**115**

**Figure 7.**

**Figure 6.**

*Factors for assessing ecological quality in the maintenance and end-of-life phase.*

*Factors for assessing ecological quality in the design and construction phase.*

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

• Regular building management

• Use of renewable energy


*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*


*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

*6.3.1 Ecological quality in the design and construction phase*

• Designing and accounting for water consumption

• Designing buildings according to BIM standards

design and construction phase, there are:

• Designing low-energy houses

• Low-energy building techniques

• Reduction in waste of building materials

• Use of recyclable building materials

• Use of reusable building materials

as the most important:

• Noise regulation

• Reduced energy consumption

• Reduced water consumption

These results are collected in **Figure 6**.

important for assessing ecological quality in projects.

*6.3.2 Ecological quality in the maintenance and end-of-life phase*

• Complying with recommendations of building management

• Demolition of buildings with respect for ecosystem

• Monitoring the consumption of raw materials

**process**

**6.3 Ecological quality factors in the opinion of participants of the construction** 

As the main factors of the ecological quality of construction processes in the

• Organization of logistic processes according to just-in-time (JIT) criterion

The respondents maintain that two first phases of construction projects (design and construction) bring some difficulties in judging which factors are the most

At the end of the research, the respondents were asked to respond to ecological quality in the maintenance and end-of-life phase. The following have been indicated

• Demolition of buildings with respect for circular economy requirements

• Taking into account the idea of circular economy in the design phase

• Use of energy-saving construction machinery and equipment

**114**


#### **Figure 6.** *Factors for assessing ecological quality in the design and construction phase.*


**Figure 7.** *Factors for assessing ecological quality in the maintenance and end-of-life phase.*

These results are presented in **Figure 7**. Opinions of the respondents about the two last phases of construction projects (maintenance and end-of-life) also bring some difficulties in judging which factors are the most important to assess ecological quality in construction projects. Their weighted averages vary between 3 and 4.

One of the most important challenges for authorities and policymakers is to convince the construction market that being environmentally friendly, and becoming an eco-friendly company pays off. This requires learning innovative ecological technologies, which is to start implementing innovative processes for the cleaner production of ecological products.

Although the research is still in its embryonic stage, it gives an insight into some crucial problems connected with a hierarchy of attributes of eco-friendly construction and ecological quality factors in particular phases of construction projects.

The conducted research enabled to create the eco-friendly vision of AEC sector. In the next part of this chapter, the relationship between GPP model and CE policy in the European Union will be presented.

#### **7. GPP model as part of European CE policy**

Described before, good practice cases available online, accessible to all interested bodies responsible for public procurement were divided into 22 sections. Among them, there are eight areas directly connected with the AEC sector. These are:


The rest can be treated as areas indirectly connected with the AEC sector.

Thanks to the publication of information on the course of the selection process of the best offer under procurement procedures and detailed descriptions of the background of the contract, the adopted objectives, selection criteria used in tenders, obtained results, as well as the achieved environmental impacts, the European Union disseminates information on good practices that may be replicated in the future by other public institutions. The authorities may use lessons learned that are given in the reports.

More and more suggestions promoted by the European Commission are connected with circular economy. In the eight areas, mentioned before, there are five pure examples of applying CE principles to procurement procedures [21]. Two of them are coming from the Netherlands ("Circular Procurement of Furniture for the City Hall of Venlo," "Circular Procurement of Furniture for the City of

**117**

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

years, economic development model among all its member states.

Wageningen") and one from Denmark ("Circular procurement for a sustainable learning environment," Aalborg), Sweden ("Furniture framework applying circular economy principles," Malmö), and Switzerland ("A low carbon, circular economy

According to the repeating conclusions from the sustainable procurement processes, there is a need to carry out a thorough analysis of the whole process before starting the procedure. Moreover, it is necessary to collaborate closely with all stakeholders involved in the process, whereas sometimes some extra training sessions are needed to increase awareness of the business partners. However, all case studies testify to the rightness of the chosen pattern of conduct in relation to public procurement. The European Union wants to promote its own, improved over the

Nevertheless, there are different models of development seen all over the world. The key players try to adapt a need for sustainable development to local circumstances. For instance, an interesting comparison of urban planning models from Sweden and China has been published so far [44]. It seems that the European Union's model is like the Swedish one which prefers slower but more resilient development of urban areas, rather than a vertical mode, which produces fast results along with all negative consequences, including the environmental pollution and

The European Union, by promoting GPP, raises awareness of environmental issues among public authorities, as well as sets an example to private consumers. The rich experience of European countries in the implementation of green public procurement, numerous examples of good practices, and the multitude of educated public clerks mean that the example of the European Union can be set as a role model for others. By promoting GPP, the European Union is developing its

AEC is a sector of the economy with a significant influence on the environment. Buildings and other structures shape our surroundings and "consume" many resources throughout their life cycle. Contractors have to be sensitive to environ-

In the chapter, based on considerations taken from the literature review as well as direct interviews with experts of the construction sector, it was revealed that knowledge management system in every construction company should cover also, and maybe primarily, the environmental knowledge. In order to indicate significant contents of such knowledge, a survey was conducted among construction engineering experts. The respondents pointed out the subjective role of companies and described it as crucial, indicating a number of individual skills required in eco-friendly construction. The study allowed to discover the buildings' life cycle approach to the creation of environmental knowledge of construction companies. The chapter identifies the circular economy as an element of the strategic policy of the European Union. Treated as an effective mechanism for sustainable develop-

Despite the nonobligatory nature of the rules related to GPP, the European Union focuses on educating decision-makers, directly public and indirectly private ones. It is worth noting that the GPP model includes not only CE but a number of other solutions supporting sustainable development. The European Union policy results from the need to respond to the deteriorating condition of the natural environment. The growing environmental threats from industry and

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

approach to concrete procurement," Zurich).

the negligence of sustainability.

**8. Conclusions**

mental issues.

policy based on circular economy principles.

ment, CE has become a pillar of GPP.

#### *Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

Wageningen") and one from Denmark ("Circular procurement for a sustainable learning environment," Aalborg), Sweden ("Furniture framework applying circular economy principles," Malmö), and Switzerland ("A low carbon, circular economy approach to concrete procurement," Zurich).

According to the repeating conclusions from the sustainable procurement processes, there is a need to carry out a thorough analysis of the whole process before starting the procedure. Moreover, it is necessary to collaborate closely with all stakeholders involved in the process, whereas sometimes some extra training sessions are needed to increase awareness of the business partners. However, all case studies testify to the rightness of the chosen pattern of conduct in relation to public procurement. The European Union wants to promote its own, improved over the years, economic development model among all its member states.

Nevertheless, there are different models of development seen all over the world. The key players try to adapt a need for sustainable development to local circumstances. For instance, an interesting comparison of urban planning models from Sweden and China has been published so far [44]. It seems that the European Union's model is like the Swedish one which prefers slower but more resilient development of urban areas, rather than a vertical mode, which produces fast results along with all negative consequences, including the environmental pollution and the negligence of sustainability.

The European Union, by promoting GPP, raises awareness of environmental issues among public authorities, as well as sets an example to private consumers.

The rich experience of European countries in the implementation of green public procurement, numerous examples of good practices, and the multitude of educated public clerks mean that the example of the European Union can be set as a role model for others. By promoting GPP, the European Union is developing its policy based on circular economy principles.

#### **8. Conclusions**

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

production of ecological products.

in the European Union will be presented.

**7. GPP model as part of European CE policy**

• Buildings (30 cases, accessed January 2020)

• Furniture (12 cases, accessed January 2020)

• Indoor lighting (4 cases, accessed January 2020)

• Water-based heaters (2 cases, accessed January 2020)

January 2020)

given in the reports.

These results are presented in **Figure 7**. Opinions of the respondents about the two last phases of construction projects (maintenance and end-of-life) also bring some difficulties in judging which factors are the most important to assess ecological quality in construction projects. Their weighted averages vary between 3 and 4. One of the most important challenges for authorities and policymakers is to convince the construction market that being environmentally friendly, and becoming an eco-friendly company pays off. This requires learning innovative ecological technologies, which is to start implementing innovative processes for the cleaner

Although the research is still in its embryonic stage, it gives an insight into some crucial problems connected with a hierarchy of attributes of eco-friendly construction and ecological quality factors in particular phases of construction projects.

The conducted research enabled to create the eco-friendly vision of AEC sector. In the next part of this chapter, the relationship between GPP model and CE policy

Described before, good practice cases available online, accessible to all interested bodies responsible for public procurement were divided into 22 sections. Among them, there are eight areas directly connected with the AEC sector. These are:

• Gardening products and services (3 cases, accessed January 2020)

• Street lighting and traffic signals (6 cases, accessed January 2020)

• Office building design, construction, and management (3 cases, accessed

• Road design, construction, and maintenance (2 cases, accessed January 2020)

The rest can be treated as areas indirectly connected with the AEC sector. Thanks to the publication of information on the course of the selection process of the best offer under procurement procedures and detailed descriptions of the background of the contract, the adopted objectives, selection criteria used in tenders, obtained results, as well as the achieved environmental impacts, the European Union disseminates information on good practices that may be replicated in the future by other public institutions. The authorities may use lessons learned that are

More and more suggestions promoted by the European Commission are connected with circular economy. In the eight areas, mentioned before, there are five pure examples of applying CE principles to procurement procedures [21]. Two of them are coming from the Netherlands ("Circular Procurement of Furniture for the City Hall of Venlo," "Circular Procurement of Furniture for the City of

**116**

AEC is a sector of the economy with a significant influence on the environment. Buildings and other structures shape our surroundings and "consume" many resources throughout their life cycle. Contractors have to be sensitive to environmental issues.

In the chapter, based on considerations taken from the literature review as well as direct interviews with experts of the construction sector, it was revealed that knowledge management system in every construction company should cover also, and maybe primarily, the environmental knowledge. In order to indicate significant contents of such knowledge, a survey was conducted among construction engineering experts. The respondents pointed out the subjective role of companies and described it as crucial, indicating a number of individual skills required in eco-friendly construction. The study allowed to discover the buildings' life cycle approach to the creation of environmental knowledge of construction companies.

The chapter identifies the circular economy as an element of the strategic policy of the European Union. Treated as an effective mechanism for sustainable development, CE has become a pillar of GPP.

Despite the nonobligatory nature of the rules related to GPP, the European Union focuses on educating decision-makers, directly public and indirectly private ones. It is worth noting that the GPP model includes not only CE but a number of other solutions supporting sustainable development. The European Union policy results from the need to respond to the deteriorating condition of the natural environment. The growing environmental threats from industry and services require an immediate response. However, changes in improving production conditions take time.

On the other hand, there are often numerous restrictions affecting the risk of such activities. The most serious threats include the low adaptability of other players, limited knowledge of sustainable development, GPP and CE, as well as reluctance to change. It seems that one of the most serious risk factors—apart from those mentioned earlier—is the routine of public authorities and the lack of willingness to go beyond the usual framework of existing legal procedures related to public procurement.

Sometimes safety, provided by well-established patterns of conduct, can be illusory. It is worth taking a risk and turning towards GPP, which give the opportunity to achieve even better results than before.

To use the full potential of GPP, along with many environmentally friendly mechanisms (including CE), one should use the model promoted in the European Union and presented in this chapter. Some decision-makers can share their experience with others. In addition, a crucial remark is that the cooperation of all participants of investment and construction projects and all players from the AEC sector is necessary.

It is worth remembering that contemporary economic activity has an impact on these and future generations. Sometimes it is worth considering how we can stop the processes that have a negative impact on the natural environment. Maybe it is worth thinking about GPP, maybe CE is not an odd idea, especially when the temperature outside is positive, although it is usually frost and snow.

#### **Conflict of interest**

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

#### **Thanks**

Many thanks to professor Pedro Núñez-Cacho Utrilla from the University of Jaén (Spain) who inspired me to treat the construction sector as a subject of the circular economy thinking.

Moreover, I would like to thank IntechOpen editorial office who helped in handling the article preparation process.

#### **Author details**

Jarosław Górecki UTP University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, Poland

\*Address all correspondence to: gorecki@utp.edu.pl

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

**119**

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

thinking in construction companies. Journal of EU Research in Business.

[10] Khasreen M, Banfill PF, Menzies G. Life-cycle assessment and the environmental impact of buildings: A review. Sustainability.

[11] Nuñez-Cacho P, Górecki J, Molina-Moreno V, Corpas-Iglesias F. What gets measured, gets done: Development of a circular economy measurement scale for building

[12] Górecki J, Núñez-Cacho P, Corpas-Iglesias FA, Molina V. How to convince players in construction market? Strategies for effective implementation of circular economy in construction sector. Cogent Engineering. 2019;**6**(1)

[13] Hossain MU, Ng ST. Critical consideration of buildings' environmental impact assessment towards adoption of circular economy: An analytical review. Journal of Cleaner

Production. 2018;**205**:763-780

com/2073-8994/12/1/50

2018;**138**(July):99-109

[14] Górecki J. Simulation-based positioning of circular economy manager's skills in construction projects. Symmetry. 2020;**12**(1):1-25. Available from: https://www.mdpi.

[15] de Abreu MCS, Ceglia D. On the implementation of a circular economy: The role of institutional capacitybuilding through industrial symbiosis. Resources, Conservation & Recycling.

[16] Whicher A, Harris C, Beverley K, Swiatek P. Design for circular economy: Developing an action plan for Scotland.

industry. Sustainability.

2018;**10**(7):2340

2018;**2018**:1-16

2009;**1**(3):674-701

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

[1] Wyrobisz A. Les Metiers du Batiment en Petite-Pologne au XIV et au XV siecle | Budownictwo Murowane w Małopolsce w XIV i XV Wieku. Warsaw: Ossoliński

National Institute; 1963. p. 170

ever made. Science Advances.

[2] Geyer R, Jambeck JR, Law KL. Production, use, and fate of all plastics

[3] Krivoshapko SN, Shambina SL, Hyeng CAB. Thin-walled composite and plastic shells for civil and industrial buildings and erections. In: Materials Science Forum. 2017. pp. 45-51

[4] Worm B, Lotze HK, Jubinville I, Wilcox C, Jambeck J. Plastic as a persistent marine pollutant. Annual Review of Environment and Resources.

[5] Ostle C, Thompson RC, Broughton D, Gregory L, Wootton M, Johns DG. The

[6] Alimba CG, Faggio C. Microplastics in the marine environment: Current trends in environmental pollution and mechanisms of toxicological profile. Environmental Toxicology and

rise in ocean plastics evidenced from a 60-year time series. Nature Communications. 2019;**10**(1):1-6

Pharmacology. 2019;**68**:61-74

[8] Ellen MacArthur Foundation. What is a circular economy? [Internet]. Available from: https:// www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/

circular-economy/concept

[9] Núñez-Cacho P, Górecki J,

Molina-Moreno V, Corpas-Iglesias FA. New measures of circular economy

[7] European Commission. Public procurement for a better environment [Internet]. Belgium; 2008. Available from: https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ TXT/?uri=CELEX:52008DC0400

**References**

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2017;42:1-26

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

### **References**

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

nity to achieve even better results than before.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

handling the article preparation process.

tion conditions take time.

procurement.

necessary.

**Thanks**

**Conflict of interest**

services require an immediate response. However, changes in improving produc-

On the other hand, there are often numerous restrictions affecting the risk of such activities. The most serious threats include the low adaptability of other players, limited knowledge of sustainable development, GPP and CE, as well as reluctance to change. It seems that one of the most serious risk factors—apart from those mentioned earlier—is the routine of public authorities and the lack of willingness to go beyond the usual framework of existing legal procedures related to public

Sometimes safety, provided by well-established patterns of conduct, can be illusory. It is worth taking a risk and turning towards GPP, which give the opportu-

To use the full potential of GPP, along with many environmentally friendly mechanisms (including CE), one should use the model promoted in the European Union and presented in this chapter. Some decision-makers can share their experience with others. In addition, a crucial remark is that the cooperation of all participants of investment and construction projects and all players from the AEC sector is

It is worth remembering that contemporary economic activity has an impact on these and future generations. Sometimes it is worth considering how we can stop the processes that have a negative impact on the natural environment. Maybe it is worth thinking about GPP, maybe CE is not an odd idea, especially when the

Many thanks to professor Pedro Núñez-Cacho Utrilla from the University of Jaén (Spain) who inspired me to treat the construction sector as a subject of the circular

Moreover, I would like to thank IntechOpen editorial office who helped in

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

temperature outside is positive, although it is usually frost and snow.

**118**

**Author details**

economy thinking.

Jarosław Górecki

UTP University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, Poland

\*Address all correspondence to: gorecki@utp.edu.pl

provided the original work is properly cited.

[1] Wyrobisz A. Les Metiers du Batiment en Petite-Pologne au XIV et au XV siecle | Budownictwo Murowane w Małopolsce w XIV i XV Wieku. Warsaw: Ossoliński National Institute; 1963. p. 170

[2] Geyer R, Jambeck JR, Law KL. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances. 2017;**3**(7):1-5

[3] Krivoshapko SN, Shambina SL, Hyeng CAB. Thin-walled composite and plastic shells for civil and industrial buildings and erections. In: Materials Science Forum. 2017. pp. 45-51

[4] Worm B, Lotze HK, Jubinville I, Wilcox C, Jambeck J. Plastic as a persistent marine pollutant. Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 2017;42:1-26

[5] Ostle C, Thompson RC, Broughton D, Gregory L, Wootton M, Johns DG. The rise in ocean plastics evidenced from a 60-year time series. Nature Communications. 2019;**10**(1):1-6

[6] Alimba CG, Faggio C. Microplastics in the marine environment: Current trends in environmental pollution and mechanisms of toxicological profile. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2019;**68**:61-74

[7] European Commission. Public procurement for a better environment [Internet]. Belgium; 2008. Available from: https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ TXT/?uri=CELEX:52008DC0400

[8] Ellen MacArthur Foundation. What is a circular economy? [Internet]. Available from: https:// www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/ circular-economy/concept

[9] Núñez-Cacho P, Górecki J, Molina-Moreno V, Corpas-Iglesias FA. New measures of circular economy

thinking in construction companies. Journal of EU Research in Business. 2018;**2018**:1-16

[10] Khasreen M, Banfill PF, Menzies G. Life-cycle assessment and the environmental impact of buildings: A review. Sustainability. 2009;**1**(3):674-701

[11] Nuñez-Cacho P, Górecki J, Molina-Moreno V, Corpas-Iglesias F. What gets measured, gets done: Development of a circular economy measurement scale for building industry. Sustainability. 2018;**10**(7):2340

[12] Górecki J, Núñez-Cacho P, Corpas-Iglesias FA, Molina V. How to convince players in construction market? Strategies for effective implementation of circular economy in construction sector. Cogent Engineering. 2019;**6**(1)

[13] Hossain MU, Ng ST. Critical consideration of buildings' environmental impact assessment towards adoption of circular economy: An analytical review. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018;**205**:763-780

[14] Górecki J. Simulation-based positioning of circular economy manager's skills in construction projects. Symmetry. 2020;**12**(1):1-25. Available from: https://www.mdpi. com/2073-8994/12/1/50

[15] de Abreu MCS, Ceglia D. On the implementation of a circular economy: The role of institutional capacitybuilding through industrial symbiosis. Resources, Conservation & Recycling. 2018;**138**(July):99-109

[16] Whicher A, Harris C, Beverley K, Swiatek P. Design for circular economy: Developing an action plan for Scotland. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018;**172**(December 2015):3237-3248

[17] Pawlyn M. Biomimicry in Architecture. Newcastle upon Tyne: RIBA Publishing; 2016

[18] Nasir MHA, Genovese A, Acquaye AA, Koh SCL, Yamoah F. Comparing linear and circular supply chains: A case study from the construction industry. International Journal of Production Economics. 2017;**183**:443-457

[19] Silvestre JD, De Brito J, Pinheiro MD. Environmental impacts and benefits of the end-of-life of building materials—Calculation rules, results and contribution to a "cradle to cradle" life cycle. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2014;**66**:37-45

[20] Jimenez-Rivero A, Garcia-Navarro J. Best practices for the management of end-of-life gypsum in a circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2017;**167**:1335-1344

[21] European Commission. Green Public Procurement [Internet]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/ environment/gpp/case\_group\_en.htm

[22] European Commission. Buying Green! A Handbook on Green Public Procurement. 2016

[23] European Commission. Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of the European Union; 2014

[24] European Commission. EU GPP Criteria for Sanitary Tapware [Internet]. 2013. Available from: https://ec.europa. eu/environment/gpp/pdf/criteria/ sanitary/EN.pdf

[25] European Commission. EU GPP Criteria for Flushing Toilets and Urinals [Internet]. 2013. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ criteria/toilets/criteria\_Toilets\_en.pdf

[26] European Commission. Green Public Procurement Criteria for Waste Water Infrastructure [Internet]. 2013. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/ environment/gpp/pdf/waste\_water\_ criteria.pdf

[27] European Commission. EU GPP Criteria for Water-based Heaters [Internet]. 2014. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ criteria/water\_based/heaters\_en.pdf

[28] European Commission. EU Green Public Procurement Criteria for Road Design, Construction and Maintenance [Internet]. 2016. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ GPPcriteriaRoads(2016)203.pdf

[29] European Commission. EU GPP Criteria for Office Building Design, Construction and Management [Internet]. 2016. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ swd\_2016\_180.pdf

[30] European Commission. EU green public procurement criteria for paints, varnishes and road marking [Internet]. 2017. Available from: https://ec.europa. eu/environment/gpp/pdf/criteria\_for\_ paints\_varnishes\_and\_road\_marking. pdf

[31] European Commission. EU green public procurement criteria for road lighting and traffic signals [Internet]. 2018. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ toolkit/181210\_EU\_GPP\_criteria\_road\_ lighting.pdf

[32] European Commission. EU green public procurement criteria for road transport [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/ transparency/regdoc/rep/10102/2019/ EN/SWD-2019-2-F1-EN-MAIN-PART-1. PDF

**121**

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union*

Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Jabbour CJ, Ben Othman H. Knowledge transfer and organizational innovation: Impacts of quality and environmental management. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018;**193**:759-770

[43] Holt GD, Love PED, Li H. The learning organisation: Toward a paradigm for mutually beneficial strategic construction alliances. International Journal of Project Management. 2000;**18**(6):415-421

[44] Wennersten R. Development of new sustainable urban areas: Horizontal or vertical planning systems for resource efficient cities. In: Ergen Y, editor. An Overview of Urban and Regional Planning. London: IntechOpen; 2018.

[42] Hamdoun M, Chiappetta

2011;**2**:507-510

pp. 103-120

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

[33] European Commission. EU green public procurement criteria for public space maintenance [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://ec.europa. eu/environment/gpp/pdf/191113\_ EUGPPcriteriaforpublicspace

maintenance\_SWD(404)2019final.pdf

[34] Mitsch WJ, Jørgensen SE. Ecological

[35] Gattie DK, Smith MC, Tollner EW, McCutcheon SC. The emergence of ecological engineering as a discipline. Ecological Engineering.

[36] Allen TF, Giampietro M, Little A.

[37] Odum HT, Odum B. Concepts

engineering. Ecological Engineering.

engineering: A field whose time has come. Ecological Engineering.

2003;**20**(5):363-377

2003;**20**(5):409-420

2003;**20**(5):389-407

2003;**20**(5):339-361

Distinguishing ecological engineering from environmental engineering. Ecological Engineering.

and methods of ecological

[38] Mearns MA, du Toit ASA. Knowledge audit: Tools of the trade transmitted to tools for tradition. International Journal of Information Management. 2008;**28**(3):161-167

[39] Melnyk SA, Sroufe RP,

Calantone R. Assessing the impact of environmental management systems on corporate and environmental performance. Journal of Operations Management. 2003;**21**(3):329-351

[40] Cheremisinoff NP, Bendavid-Val A.

[41] Kaczmarek B. Policy and strategy for ecological development of the enterprise—A sketch of the problem.

Green profits. In: The Manager's Handbook for ISO 14001 and Pollution Prevention. 1st ed. Butterworth-

Heinemann; 2001. p. 356

*Circular Economy and Green Public Procurement in the European Union DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92905*

[33] European Commission. EU green public procurement criteria for public space maintenance [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://ec.europa. eu/environment/gpp/pdf/191113\_ EUGPPcriteriaforpublicspace maintenance\_SWD(404)2019final.pdf

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ criteria/toilets/criteria\_Toilets\_en.pdf

[26] European Commission. Green Public Procurement Criteria for Waste Water Infrastructure [Internet]. 2013. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/ environment/gpp/pdf/waste\_water\_

[27] European Commission. EU GPP Criteria for Water-based Heaters [Internet]. 2014. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ criteria/water\_based/heaters\_en.pdf

[28] European Commission. EU Green Public Procurement Criteria for Road Design, Construction and Maintenance [Internet]. 2016. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ GPPcriteriaRoads(2016)203.pdf

[29] European Commission. EU GPP Criteria for Office Building Design, Construction and Management

swd\_2016\_180.pdf

pdf

lighting.pdf

PDF

[Internet]. 2016. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/

[30] European Commission. EU green public procurement criteria for paints, varnishes and road marking [Internet]. 2017. Available from: https://ec.europa. eu/environment/gpp/pdf/criteria\_for\_ paints\_varnishes\_and\_road\_marking.

[31] European Commission. EU green public procurement criteria for road lighting and traffic signals [Internet]. 2018. Available from: https:// ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/pdf/ toolkit/181210\_EU\_GPP\_criteria\_road\_

[32] European Commission. EU green public procurement criteria for road transport [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/ transparency/regdoc/rep/10102/2019/ EN/SWD-2019-2-F1-EN-MAIN-PART-1.

criteria.pdf

Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018;**172**(December 2015):3237-3248

[17] Pawlyn M. Biomimicry in Architecture. Newcastle upon Tyne:

[18] Nasir MHA, Genovese A, Acquaye AA, Koh SCL, Yamoah F. Comparing linear and circular supply

chains: A case study from the construction industry. International Journal of Production Economics.

[19] Silvestre JD, De Brito J,

Production. 2014;**66**:37-45

[20] Jimenez-Rivero A, Garcia-Navarro J. Best practices for the management of end-of-life gypsum in a circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2017;**167**:1335-1344

[21] European Commission. Green Public Procurement [Internet]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/ environment/gpp/case\_group\_en.htm

[22] European Commission. Buying Green! A Handbook on Green Public

[23] European Commission. Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal of

[24] European Commission. EU GPP Criteria for Sanitary Tapware [Internet]. 2013. Available from: https://ec.europa. eu/environment/gpp/pdf/criteria/

[25] European Commission. EU GPP Criteria for Flushing Toilets and Urinals [Internet]. 2013. Available from: https://

Procurement. 2016

sanitary/EN.pdf

the European Union; 2014

Pinheiro MD. Environmental impacts and benefits of the end-of-life of building materials—Calculation rules, results and contribution to a "cradle to cradle" life cycle. Journal of Cleaner

RIBA Publishing; 2016

2017;**183**:443-457

**120**

[34] Mitsch WJ, Jørgensen SE. Ecological engineering: A field whose time has come. Ecological Engineering. 2003;**20**(5):363-377

[35] Gattie DK, Smith MC, Tollner EW, McCutcheon SC. The emergence of ecological engineering as a discipline. Ecological Engineering. 2003;**20**(5):409-420

[36] Allen TF, Giampietro M, Little A. Distinguishing ecological engineering from environmental engineering. Ecological Engineering. 2003;**20**(5):389-407

[37] Odum HT, Odum B. Concepts and methods of ecological engineering. Ecological Engineering. 2003;**20**(5):339-361

[38] Mearns MA, du Toit ASA. Knowledge audit: Tools of the trade transmitted to tools for tradition. International Journal of Information Management. 2008;**28**(3):161-167

[39] Melnyk SA, Sroufe RP, Calantone R. Assessing the impact of environmental management systems on corporate and environmental performance. Journal of Operations Management. 2003;**21**(3):329-351

[40] Cheremisinoff NP, Bendavid-Val A. Green profits. In: The Manager's Handbook for ISO 14001 and Pollution Prevention. 1st ed. Butterworth-Heinemann; 2001. p. 356

[41] Kaczmarek B. Policy and strategy for ecological development of the enterprise—A sketch of the problem. Civil and Environmental Engineering. 2011;**2**:507-510

[42] Hamdoun M, Chiappetta Jabbour CJ, Ben Othman H. Knowledge transfer and organizational innovation: Impacts of quality and environmental management. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018;**193**:759-770

[43] Holt GD, Love PED, Li H. The learning organisation: Toward a paradigm for mutually beneficial strategic construction alliances. International Journal of Project Management. 2000;**18**(6):415-421

[44] Wennersten R. Development of new sustainable urban areas: Horizontal or vertical planning systems for resource efficient cities. In: Ergen Y, editor. An Overview of Urban and Regional Planning. London: IntechOpen; 2018. pp. 103-120

**123**

**Chapter 7**

**Abstract**

economy, climate

**1. Introduction**

Impact of Zero Energy Building:

In an era with major developments in the energy sector, along with many benefits of energy consumption, it is also showing adverse effects on the end-users and the environment due to emission of various harmful gases mainly carbon dioxide (CO2). To deal with these issues, the zero energy building emerges to bring constructive developments through the construction industry. The concept of zero energy building is to develop a structural building which can generate its own required energy and have zero negative effects. The energy will be enough to fulfill all the requirements of the building operations and can save natural quarries. By increasing the numbers of zero energy buildings, major reforms can be brought in the construction industry and thus stabilizing the economy and the climate.

**Keywords:** energy consumption, harmful gases, CO2, zero energy building,

The energy sector is going through numerous challenges which will get worse with time. Various concerns have been reported related to the environment, economic instability, and energy security, mainly due to the present behaviour of the energy sector and carbon emissions [1]. In today business world, energy becomes a major source of economic growth. A smooth service for residential and commercial buildings involves extensive energy consumption. In this sector, energy consumption is escalating progressively which results in the emission of greenhouse gases. That is why saving energy with a suitable alternative in providing a better lifestyle gets essential. In this regard, the zero energy building is a very useful solution [2]. By integrating energy efficiency in buildings, sustainable development can be brought into the building sector. For achieving the goal of zero energy building, the design should be such that it can optimize maximum outdoor weather conditions [3].

Major reforms are brought into the construction industry for the betterment of the end-users in which zero energy building is one of them. Still, many are unaware of the concept of zero energy building as it is newly emerged area. Zero energy building is a structural element embraced for residential and commercial purposes which fulfilled the energy requirements by their own energy generation. It is very helpful in meeting the comfort requirements of the end-users, fulfilling the growing energy demand and beneficial to reduce the threat to climate changes due to global warming. Moreover, by adapting zero energy building, natural quarries can be saved from getting vanished. Therefore, this chapter discusses why there is a need for zero energy building and how it can bring reforms to real-world problems.

Sustainability Perspective

*Wesam Salah Alaloul and Muhammad Ali Musarat*

#### **Chapter 7**

## Impact of Zero Energy Building: Sustainability Perspective

*Wesam Salah Alaloul and Muhammad Ali Musarat*

#### **Abstract**

In an era with major developments in the energy sector, along with many benefits of energy consumption, it is also showing adverse effects on the end-users and the environment due to emission of various harmful gases mainly carbon dioxide (CO2). To deal with these issues, the zero energy building emerges to bring constructive developments through the construction industry. The concept of zero energy building is to develop a structural building which can generate its own required energy and have zero negative effects. The energy will be enough to fulfill all the requirements of the building operations and can save natural quarries. By increasing the numbers of zero energy buildings, major reforms can be brought in the construction industry and thus stabilizing the economy and the climate.

**Keywords:** energy consumption, harmful gases, CO2, zero energy building, economy, climate

#### **1. Introduction**

The energy sector is going through numerous challenges which will get worse with time. Various concerns have been reported related to the environment, economic instability, and energy security, mainly due to the present behaviour of the energy sector and carbon emissions [1]. In today business world, energy becomes a major source of economic growth. A smooth service for residential and commercial buildings involves extensive energy consumption. In this sector, energy consumption is escalating progressively which results in the emission of greenhouse gases. That is why saving energy with a suitable alternative in providing a better lifestyle gets essential. In this regard, the zero energy building is a very useful solution [2]. By integrating energy efficiency in buildings, sustainable development can be brought into the building sector. For achieving the goal of zero energy building, the design should be such that it can optimize maximum outdoor weather conditions [3].

Major reforms are brought into the construction industry for the betterment of the end-users in which zero energy building is one of them. Still, many are unaware of the concept of zero energy building as it is newly emerged area. Zero energy building is a structural element embraced for residential and commercial purposes which fulfilled the energy requirements by their own energy generation. It is very helpful in meeting the comfort requirements of the end-users, fulfilling the growing energy demand and beneficial to reduce the threat to climate changes due to global warming. Moreover, by adapting zero energy building, natural quarries can be saved from getting vanished. Therefore, this chapter discusses why there is a need for zero energy building and how it can bring reforms to real-world problems.

#### **2. Energy demand**

In the current decade, the demand of energy boosts up worldwide to 2.3% compared to the year 2018, making exceptional performance led by a vigorous global economy and high demand of heating and cooling systems in various regions. The highest consumption in the energy sector was made by natural gas due to high demand, posting 45% of the rise. With time, the demand for all the fuels getting increased where fossil fuels have a growth rate of 70%. A double pace was observed in solar energy generations which got increased by 31%, still not enough to meet the higher electricity demand. The increasing energy demand results in high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions escalated by 1.7% which is 33 Gigatons in the year 2018. Electricity demand increases by 4% in the year 2018 and remains to spot as the fuel of the future. In the total energy consumption, electricity contributes up to 20% [4]. **Figure 1** shows the historic and predicted data of world energy consumption.

Gradually, the energy demand getting increase, due to the global population increase, and the resources get lesser, requires an approach to overcome these phenomena. As a result, zero energy building is the most appropriate to accommodate the increased population and minimize the adverse effects of the energy shortage. In zero energy building, the energy loads are reduced up to a greater extent so that the renewable energy can meet the remaining requirements of the building, thus fulfilling the demand of end-user.

**Figure 1.**

*World energy consumption, 1990–2040 [5].*

#### **3. Threat to climate**

It is of the high interest for construction stakeholders, end-users, and the government that the construction and commissioning process should be energyefficient and eco-efficient. Due to high energy consumption, the impact on the environment is greater, however, has been overlooked for years [6]. Sun is the energy source from ages for both humans and the other species where greenhouse gases kept the climate mild for living. But with time, these gases are threatening the living, and severe changes have occurred in the atmosphere. **Figure 2** shows the intensive amount of harmful gases erupted from a single industrial unit.

CO2 is one of the most harmful and widespread gases in the greenhouse. The highest level of CO2 is reported in the atmosphere mainly due to the burning of

**125**

**Figure 3.**

*Green house effect [9].*

**Figure 2.**

*Harmful gases emission from industrial unit [7].*

*Impact of Zero Energy Building: Sustainability Perspective*

fossil fuels by humans. These gases absorb the solar energy keeping the heat over the earth surroundings instead of allowing it to evade. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. Climate change not only refers to the rise in the temperature but also to severe weather conditions which directly impacts the population and has other serious consequences as well. CO2 itself responsible for three-quarters of the gas emissions as it remains in the atmosphere for a thousand years [8]. The

The impact of greenhouse gas emissions is directly on the country's economy, civilization, and the atmosphere. The emission of CO2 to the atmosphere breaks all the record with 410 parts per million thresholds in the world. The cause of this constant expansion is mainly due to human actions that are undermining the climate [10]. It is due to industrial revolution, which is adding CO2 abruptly to the climate. As a result, around 1°C temperature has been increased, and the sea levels are getting higher. The impact of these changes can be seen worldwide. Beside these consequences, high heat waves, heavy rainfall, and the large wildlife distinction are

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92906*

greenhouse effect is explained in **Figure 3**.

#### *Impact of Zero Energy Building: Sustainability Perspective DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92906*

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

In the current decade, the demand of energy boosts up worldwide to 2.3% compared to the year 2018, making exceptional performance led by a vigorous global economy and high demand of heating and cooling systems in various regions. The highest consumption in the energy sector was made by natural gas due to high demand, posting 45% of the rise. With time, the demand for all the fuels getting increased where fossil fuels have a growth rate of 70%. A double pace was observed in solar energy generations which got increased by 31%, still not enough to meet the higher electricity demand. The increasing energy demand results in high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions escalated by 1.7% which is 33 Gigatons in the year 2018. Electricity demand increases by 4% in the year 2018 and remains to spot as the fuel of the future. In the total energy consumption, electricity contributes up to 20% [4].

**Figure 1** shows the historic and predicted data of world energy consumption. Gradually, the energy demand getting increase, due to the global population increase, and the resources get lesser, requires an approach to overcome these phenomena. As a result, zero energy building is the most appropriate to accommodate the increased population and minimize the adverse effects of the energy shortage. In zero energy building, the energy loads are reduced up to a greater extent so that the renewable energy can meet the remaining requirements of the building, thus

It is of the high interest for construction stakeholders, end-users, and the government that the construction and commissioning process should be energyefficient and eco-efficient. Due to high energy consumption, the impact on the environment is greater, however, has been overlooked for years [6]. Sun is the energy source from ages for both humans and the other species where greenhouse gases kept the climate mild for living. But with time, these gases are threatening the living, and severe changes have occurred in the atmosphere. **Figure 2** shows the

CO2 is one of the most harmful and widespread gases in the greenhouse. The highest level of CO2 is reported in the atmosphere mainly due to the burning of

intensive amount of harmful gases erupted from a single industrial unit.

**2. Energy demand**

fulfilling the demand of end-user.

**3. Threat to climate**

*World energy consumption, 1990–2040 [5].*

**Figure 1.**

**124**

fossil fuels by humans. These gases absorb the solar energy keeping the heat over the earth surroundings instead of allowing it to evade. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. Climate change not only refers to the rise in the temperature but also to severe weather conditions which directly impacts the population and has other serious consequences as well. CO2 itself responsible for three-quarters of the gas emissions as it remains in the atmosphere for a thousand years [8]. The greenhouse effect is explained in **Figure 3**.

The impact of greenhouse gas emissions is directly on the country's economy, civilization, and the atmosphere. The emission of CO2 to the atmosphere breaks all the record with 410 parts per million thresholds in the world. The cause of this constant expansion is mainly due to human actions that are undermining the climate [10]. It is due to industrial revolution, which is adding CO2 abruptly to the climate. As a result, around 1°C temperature has been increased, and the sea levels are getting higher. The impact of these changes can be seen worldwide. Beside these consequences, high heat waves, heavy rainfall, and the large wildlife distinction are

**Figure 2.** *Harmful gases emission from industrial unit [7].*

**Figure 3.** *Green house effect [9].*

also disrupting the climate, all due to increasing temperature [11]. To portray a true picture of these effects is the current fire issue in the Australia, which occurs due to climate changes and results in assassination the life of many species, humans, and a big burden to the economy.

#### **4. Concept of zero energy building**

Reviewing the method of construction in the construction industry, the innovation is lesser compared to other industries. Previously decisions were made to get a construction performed on the lowest initial cost without giving any attention to the limitation of the resources, especially during the operation stage. Progressively, the advancement came in the industry, and the focus was to improve the properties of the available materials for better utilization and cost-efficient. The change in the philosophy of construction industry materializes to build and construct living societies with improved health and environmental conditions [12]. The construction industry has been criticized for being the major contributor to the carbon emission and global warming. Around 10% of worldwide energy is consumed while manufacturing building materials and also generates 40% of the solid waste [13]. The rising energy demand and environmental concerns lead to sustainability by providing the living facilities which minimize the harmful effects and can easily be implemented [14].

The concept of achieving zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions of a building is known as zero energy building, also called as a net-zero energy building. Zero energy building generates its energy resources without relying on energy grid supply. The net-zero design principle provides the ease to the building users even in the extreme conditions, the more extreme exposure to the elements the higher energy requires for the comfort [15]. This principle is getting significant attention as developed renewable energy eliminates greenhouse gas emissions [16, 17].

The growth in zero energy building mainly occurs due to advancement in construction technologies and due to the input of academic researchers by collecting and analyzing the accurate energy performance information. Though zero energy building is still not common yet gaining value in developed countries. In the current

**127**

**Figure 5.**

*Zero energy building [20].*

*Impact of Zero Energy Building: Sustainability Perspective*

era, computer models can detect how efficient is the engineering design decisions. With the concept of zero energy building, carbon emissions and fossil fuels dependency can be reduced [15]. The first consideration for zero energy building was made by the US Department of Energy; whereas, the European Union was the first region to mandate zero energy building use [19]. The zero energy building balance

In real-world industrial estate, the zero energy building is the next revolution and contest. The construction industry is under pressure to provide efficient, cost-effective, and low energy consumption buildings in lesser time. In energy efficient approaches, zero energy building plays a vital role. A total of 30–40% of energy is utilized by the building sector, and reform in this area is the key step towards the future of sustainability. But this reform cannot be possible without the support of the stakeholders and should have familiarization about such kind

The aim is to construct a zero energy building that utilizes natural resources, lessen the waste, and fully optimize the producible energy. The construction team usually consists of engineers, architects, developers, owners, builders, and the occupants. The approach to constructing a zero energy building is to consider the building as one energy system in which every part should be energy efficient. Only those construction materials, developing systems and assemblies are taken into the account which decreases the energy use and utilizes all the built renewable energy. The building is furnished with the robust thermal envelope, providing a continuous air and moisture barrier, enhancing the effectiveness, and providing a relaxing indoor atmosphere. Site orientation is a critical factor for zero energy building as the moto is to take full benefit of the energy produced by the sun. Preferably, the orientation should be north-south in the Northern

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92906*

**5. Construction of zero energy building**

concept is described in **Figure 4**.

of projects [11].

**Figure 4.** *Zero energy building balance concept [18].*

*Impact of Zero Energy Building: Sustainability Perspective DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92906*

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

big burden to the economy.

implemented [14].

**4. Concept of zero energy building**

also disrupting the climate, all due to increasing temperature [11]. To portray a true picture of these effects is the current fire issue in the Australia, which occurs due to climate changes and results in assassination the life of many species, humans, and a

Reviewing the method of construction in the construction industry, the innovation is lesser compared to other industries. Previously decisions were made to get a construction performed on the lowest initial cost without giving any attention to the limitation of the resources, especially during the operation stage. Progressively, the advancement came in the industry, and the focus was to improve the properties of the available materials for better utilization and cost-efficient. The change in the philosophy of construction industry materializes to build and construct living societies with improved health and environmental conditions [12]. The construction industry has been criticized for being the major contributor to the carbon emission and global warming. Around 10% of worldwide energy is consumed while manufacturing building materials and also generates 40% of the solid waste [13]. The rising energy demand and environmental concerns lead to sustainability by providing the living facilities which minimize the harmful effects and can easily be

The concept of achieving zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions of a building is known as zero energy building, also called as a net-zero energy building. Zero energy building generates its energy resources without relying on energy grid supply. The net-zero design principle provides the ease to the building users even in the extreme conditions, the more extreme exposure to the elements the higher energy requires for the comfort [15]. This principle is getting significant attention as

The growth in zero energy building mainly occurs due to advancement in construction technologies and due to the input of academic researchers by collecting and analyzing the accurate energy performance information. Though zero energy building is still not common yet gaining value in developed countries. In the current

developed renewable energy eliminates greenhouse gas emissions [16, 17].

**126**

**Figure 4.**

*Zero energy building balance concept [18].*

era, computer models can detect how efficient is the engineering design decisions. With the concept of zero energy building, carbon emissions and fossil fuels dependency can be reduced [15]. The first consideration for zero energy building was made by the US Department of Energy; whereas, the European Union was the first region to mandate zero energy building use [19]. The zero energy building balance concept is described in **Figure 4**.

In real-world industrial estate, the zero energy building is the next revolution and contest. The construction industry is under pressure to provide efficient, cost-effective, and low energy consumption buildings in lesser time. In energy efficient approaches, zero energy building plays a vital role. A total of 30–40% of energy is utilized by the building sector, and reform in this area is the key step towards the future of sustainability. But this reform cannot be possible without the support of the stakeholders and should have familiarization about such kind of projects [11].

#### **5. Construction of zero energy building**

The aim is to construct a zero energy building that utilizes natural resources, lessen the waste, and fully optimize the producible energy. The construction team usually consists of engineers, architects, developers, owners, builders, and the occupants. The approach to constructing a zero energy building is to consider the building as one energy system in which every part should be energy efficient. Only those construction materials, developing systems and assemblies are taken into the account which decreases the energy use and utilizes all the built renewable energy. The building is furnished with the robust thermal envelope, providing a continuous air and moisture barrier, enhancing the effectiveness, and providing a relaxing indoor atmosphere. Site orientation is a critical factor for zero energy building as the moto is to take full benefit of the energy produced by the sun. Preferably, the orientation should be north-south in the Northern

**Figure 5.** *Zero energy building [20].*

Hemisphere, as it lowers the direct sunlight in the summer which reduce the cooling demand and higher the sunlight in the winter to reduce heating demand. The windows should be able to utilize the maximum natural light, control the heat variations, and automatically get darken when hit by the sunlight. Moreover, southern facing windows can prevent the heat in summer and warming up in the winter using shades and louvers. The roof of zero energy building holds the building cool by preventing the heat gained by the solar panels. Thicker and light colour materials are good to keep the roof cool as they oppose the sunlight and improve the indoor conditions. As zero energy building is air tightened, a proper energy recovery ventilation system is provided which keeps the air fresh and reduces the energy losses. It is recommended to keep the connection of zero energy building with the conventional energy source as well just in case of renewable energy cannot fulfill the requirements of the end-user. Also, if the energy generated is in surplus, it can be transferred to the grid so the energy inside the zero energy building should be steady [21]. **Figure 5** shows a model of a zero energy building.

### **6. Pros and cons of zero energy building**

There are many advantages of the zero energy building, yet everything comes with a downside. The pros and cons of the zero energy building are discussed below:

#### **6.1 Pros**


#### **6.2 Cons**


**129**

*Impact of Zero Energy Building: Sustainability Perspective*

**7. Ecological restoration by zero energy building**

Eventually, every industry contributes to the emission of CO2, and construction industry is not exempted. The best way to reduce CO2 emissions is to avoid the burning of fossil fuels. Just avoiding the burning is not enough as energy is required in all the sectors to perform day to day operation. Here, the importance of the zero energy building emerges as it is the most suitable way to avoid the emission of CO2 and also fulfill the requirements of the end-users by generating their energy. Zero energy building is also known as the zero-carbon building as the emissions of carbon from fossil fuels get balanced with the amount of produced renewable

Under crucial circumstances of climate change, the construction industry requires to construct high performance buildings where zero energy buildings are the robust solution as it provides healthy and energy efficient buildings which generates their own energy for usage. With the help of zero energy building, country's economy will also boost [11]. Climate change and shortage of natural resources is a global issue where adapting zero energy buildings can be restored and lemmatize

Cost efficiency of the zero energy building implies the energy cost that is utilized by the building, which is the main concern of most of the end-users. Infrastructural components and high demand costing by utility suppliers often included in energy cost. That is why cost does not only portray the energy consumed vs. energy generated by the building [18]. The main hurdle in endorsing the zero energy building is the initial construction cost which is paid by the investors. Direct and indirect costs are involved in the construction of the zero energy building. Direct cost includes materials cost, labour cost, machinery cost, and other costs which are directly related to construction activities. Indirect cost includes documentation fees, design cost, commission, and other official fees; whereas, the post-construction cost includes operational costs of building utilized in energy

Usually, people compare the initial construction cost of the zero energy building with the conventional building, which is higher for zero energy building, but the running expense is much lesser as compared to the conventional building. In zero energy building, all the energy demand is fulfilled by the building itself which is more cost-efficient compared to energy generated by the government, as that includes taxes and other hidden costs. It can be concluded that in the long run, zero energy buildings are way more advanced and cost-efficient, compared to conven-

Zero energy building implies a significant impact on a country's economy. Every country is struggling to produce a generous amount of energy to meet the requirement of the end-users. But due to limited resources, it is getting difficult and burdened the economy as well. Zero energy building comes as a solution not only to

fulfill the energy demand but also stabilize the country's economy.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92906*

**8. Zero energy building as cost efficient**

**9. Impact of zero energy building on economy**

energy [22].

the hazards.

development [23–25].

tional buildings.

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

**6. Pros and cons of zero energy building**

building due to the uniform inside atmosphere.

4.Reduction in monthly living expenses.

3.No impact of the external energy crisis to the end-user.

5.Environmentally friendly and reduce the carbon emission.

6.Higher resale value compared to conventional building.

energy building.

below:

**6.1 Pros**

**6.2 Cons**

building.

climate.

design.

Hemisphere, as it lowers the direct sunlight in the summer which reduce the cooling demand and higher the sunlight in the winter to reduce heating demand. The windows should be able to utilize the maximum natural light, control the heat variations, and automatically get darken when hit by the sunlight. Moreover, southern facing windows can prevent the heat in summer and warming up in the winter using shades and louvers. The roof of zero energy building holds the building cool by preventing the heat gained by the solar panels. Thicker and light colour materials are good to keep the roof cool as they oppose the sunlight and improve the indoor conditions. As zero energy building is air tightened, a proper energy recovery ventilation system is provided which keeps the air fresh and reduces the energy losses. It is recommended to keep the connection of zero energy building with the conventional energy source as well just in case of renewable energy cannot fulfill the requirements of the end-user. Also, if the energy generated is in surplus, it can be transferred to the grid so the energy inside the zero energy building should be steady [21]. **Figure 5** shows a model of a zero

There are many advantages of the zero energy building, yet everything comes with a downside. The pros and cons of the zero energy building are discussed

1.Due to improved energy efficiency, the cost to the end-user get reduced.

1.Less availability of experienced designers to build zero energy building.

2.The initial cost of zero energy building is higher compared to the conventional

3.Not suitable in the region with cold temperature due to less exposure to the

4.Limit future ability to respond to global warming due to specific temperature

2.The comfort of zero energy building is more as compared to the conventional

**128**

#### **7. Ecological restoration by zero energy building**

Eventually, every industry contributes to the emission of CO2, and construction industry is not exempted. The best way to reduce CO2 emissions is to avoid the burning of fossil fuels. Just avoiding the burning is not enough as energy is required in all the sectors to perform day to day operation. Here, the importance of the zero energy building emerges as it is the most suitable way to avoid the emission of CO2 and also fulfill the requirements of the end-users by generating their energy. Zero energy building is also known as the zero-carbon building as the emissions of carbon from fossil fuels get balanced with the amount of produced renewable energy [22].

Under crucial circumstances of climate change, the construction industry requires to construct high performance buildings where zero energy buildings are the robust solution as it provides healthy and energy efficient buildings which generates their own energy for usage. With the help of zero energy building, country's economy will also boost [11]. Climate change and shortage of natural resources is a global issue where adapting zero energy buildings can be restored and lemmatize the hazards.

#### **8. Zero energy building as cost efficient**

Cost efficiency of the zero energy building implies the energy cost that is utilized by the building, which is the main concern of most of the end-users. Infrastructural components and high demand costing by utility suppliers often included in energy cost. That is why cost does not only portray the energy consumed vs. energy generated by the building [18]. The main hurdle in endorsing the zero energy building is the initial construction cost which is paid by the investors. Direct and indirect costs are involved in the construction of the zero energy building. Direct cost includes materials cost, labour cost, machinery cost, and other costs which are directly related to construction activities. Indirect cost includes documentation fees, design cost, commission, and other official fees; whereas, the post-construction cost includes operational costs of building utilized in energy development [23–25].

Usually, people compare the initial construction cost of the zero energy building with the conventional building, which is higher for zero energy building, but the running expense is much lesser as compared to the conventional building. In zero energy building, all the energy demand is fulfilled by the building itself which is more cost-efficient compared to energy generated by the government, as that includes taxes and other hidden costs. It can be concluded that in the long run, zero energy buildings are way more advanced and cost-efficient, compared to conventional buildings.

#### **9. Impact of zero energy building on economy**

Zero energy building implies a significant impact on a country's economy. Every country is struggling to produce a generous amount of energy to meet the requirement of the end-users. But due to limited resources, it is getting difficult and burdened the economy as well. Zero energy building comes as a solution not only to fulfill the energy demand but also stabilize the country's economy.

There could be one perception that instead of supporting the economy, zero energy building will leave a negative impact on the economy as people will not pay taxes for energy usage. This perception arises because taxes are the main source of income for government and country's development. The perception can be refused as the government is utilizing more money for energy generation compared to the money getting in return. Zero energy building mainly operates with solar panels to generate energy. Due to this fact, the demand of the solar panels increases, so as its industry and the country's economy.

#### **10. Social impact of zero energy building**

Uncertainty in foreseeing the energy use in the building sector is due to occupant behaviour which is the most critical factor. Variation in energy usage in buildings has been observed even with the same climate conditions. The comfort level of every human being varies which directly affect the building operations and also increases the energy demand [26].

Humans are spending 90% of their lives in indoors premises for various works or living. Hence, to maintain a healthy lifestyle, safe and comfortable environment in buildings is significant. To provide the comfort and enhancing the condition of a building, almost 40% of the world's energy is been consumed which results in onethird greenhouse gas emissions mainly associated with the building sector [27, 28].

Besides environmental and economic benefits, zero energy building shows a positive impact on the society as well. Most of the benefits are related to the health of the end-users involved in working or living in the zero energy building. People associated with zero energy building tend to have an increase in brain functioning, getting better sleep at night, and due to low concentration of CO2 and other pollutants, the overall performance also gets an increase. Zero energy building not only focuses on the environmental perspective but also aims to provide a comfortable and healthy lifestyle [29].

#### **11. Life cycle cost analysis of zero energy building**

In long run, the zero energy building is more cost-efficient compared to conventional building. A life cycle cost analysis (LCC) was performed for 20 years using present worth analysis between conventional building and zero energy building [30]. The comparison is discussed in **Table 1**.

From **Table 1**, it can be observed that although the initial cost of zero energy building is higher compared to conventional building, LCC shows that zero energy building is much more cost-efficient and economic.

#### **12. Conclusion**

High energy consumption is a threat to climate, and the changes occurring are adverse for the life on earth as it is causing global warming. Not only the plants and animals but humans are also getting affected. With time, even the sources are getting shorter for mankind and one day will vanish. To deal with this issue, alternative solutions are required which fulfill the energy demand and have no impact on the environment. In this scenario, the zero energy building emerges as the best available solution to control both the major issues. In the long run, zero energy buildings are more cost-efficient and contribute to the country's economy as well. Though understanding of zero energy building is still lesser to many but will get a boost as it is in favour of everyone.

**131**

**Author details**

**Acknowledgements**

**Table 1.**

cost for conventional building

**Conflict of interest**

support provided for this research.

Wesam Salah Alaloul\* and Muhammad Ali Musarat

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

\*Address all correspondence to: wesam.alaloul@utp.edu.my

PETRONAS, Tronoh, Perak, Malaysia

provided the original work is properly cited.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

The authors would like to thank Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) for the

**LCC for conventional building 48521.99 47246.13**

*Impact of Zero Energy Building: Sustainability Perspective*

**Operation, maintenance and replacement costs (USD)**

Present value of total operating maintenance and replacement

*Comparison of conventional building and zero energy building.*

**Activity Conventional** 

Cost for gas arrangements 42.06 (natural

Construction cost for building 30143.50 39339.04 Cost for home appliances 203,320 2270.04

**Total initial cost 33036.15 41651.15**

Present value of water charge for 20 years 5.54 5.54 Present value of electric charge for 20 years 6820 — Present value of fuel cost for 20 years 1642.47 96.04 Present value of home appliances for 20 years 3949.64 3652.55 Present value maintenance of building 3068.19 1840.86

**building**

gas)

15485.84 5594.98

**Zero energy building**

42.06 (biogas)

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92906*

**Construction cost (USD)**

*Impact of Zero Energy Building: Sustainability Perspective DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92906*


**Table 1.**

*Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency*

industry and the country's economy.

increases the energy demand [26].

**10. Social impact of zero energy building**

**11. Life cycle cost analysis of zero energy building**

[30]. The comparison is discussed in **Table 1**.

building is much more cost-efficient and economic.

There could be one perception that instead of supporting the economy, zero energy building will leave a negative impact on the economy as people will not pay taxes for energy usage. This perception arises because taxes are the main source of income for government and country's development. The perception can be refused as the government is utilizing more money for energy generation compared to the money getting in return. Zero energy building mainly operates with solar panels to generate energy. Due to this fact, the demand of the solar panels increases, so as its

Uncertainty in foreseeing the energy use in the building sector is due to occupant behaviour which is the most critical factor. Variation in energy usage in buildings has been observed even with the same climate conditions. The comfort level of every human being varies which directly affect the building operations and also

Humans are spending 90% of their lives in indoors premises for various works or living. Hence, to maintain a healthy lifestyle, safe and comfortable environment in buildings is significant. To provide the comfort and enhancing the condition of a building, almost 40% of the world's energy is been consumed which results in onethird greenhouse gas emissions mainly associated with the building sector [27, 28]. Besides environmental and economic benefits, zero energy building shows a positive impact on the society as well. Most of the benefits are related to the health of the end-users involved in working or living in the zero energy building. People associated with zero energy building tend to have an increase in brain functioning, getting better sleep at night, and due to low concentration of CO2 and other pollutants, the overall performance also gets an increase. Zero energy building not only focuses on the environmental perspective but also aims to provide a comfortable and healthy lifestyle [29].

In long run, the zero energy building is more cost-efficient compared to conventional building. A life cycle cost analysis (LCC) was performed for 20 years using present worth analysis between conventional building and zero energy building

From **Table 1**, it can be observed that although the initial cost of zero energy building is higher compared to conventional building, LCC shows that zero energy

High energy consumption is a threat to climate, and the changes occurring are adverse for the life on earth as it is causing global warming. Not only the plants and animals but humans are also getting affected. With time, even the sources are getting shorter for mankind and one day will vanish. To deal with this issue, alternative solutions are required which fulfill the energy demand and have no impact on the environment. In this scenario, the zero energy building emerges as the best available solution to control both the major issues. In the long run, zero energy buildings are more cost-efficient and contribute to the country's economy as well. Though understanding of zero energy building is still lesser to many but will get a boost as it is in favour of everyone.

**130**

**12. Conclusion**

*Comparison of conventional building and zero energy building.*

#### **Acknowledgements**

The authors would like to thank Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) for the support provided for this research.

#### **Conflict of interest**

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

#### **Author details**

Wesam Salah Alaloul\* and Muhammad Ali Musarat Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Tronoh, Perak, Malaysia

\*Address all correspondence to: wesam.alaloul@utp.edu.my

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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## *Edited by Başak Kiliç Taşeli*

Creating decent living conditions for all people while decoupling economic growth from the increasing use of virgin resources and environmental impacts is the major challenge of this millennium. There are many approaches suggested for solving these problems, including changing consumption behavior from material products to services, finding technological solutions to create more closed loops for materials, and using fewer virgin resources and energy obtained from clean renewable sources. A main issue to address is sludge formation during wastewater treatment. As such, this book, over seven chapters divided into two sections, investigates the application of biosolids or sewage sludge together with possible resources for sustainable development. It also presents information on resource efficiency from a more complex perspective, looking at several resources and the causal links between them in order to point out new pathways towards a more sustainable use of resources.

Published in London, UK © 2020 IntechOpen © PublicDomainPictures / pixabay

Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management and Resource Efficiency

Sustainable Sewage Sludge

Management and Resource

Efficiency

*Edited by Başak Kiliç Taşeli*