Conclusion
Constructing in steel is one of the best ways that our generation can ensure that it does not leave intractable legacy problems for future generations. Sustainability demands satisfying social, economic and environmental criteria - the ‘triple bottom line’ – and steel ticks all of those boxes.
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Economic |
Steel is fundamental to the development and prosperity of the modern world |
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Social |
Steel is fundamental to modern society and a built environment which people enjoy |
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Environmental |
Steel is an inexhaustible resource |
The world’s response to the sustainability challenge is still being developed, there is no right or wrong solution and much work still needs to be done. We have only just started thinking about how to solve the problems. There can be few certain answers given yet to questions that we are still trying to form, but science tells us that the time for action is right now.
A commitment to sustainable development has to guide everything that we do, to ensure that the earth, its ecology and resources are preserved for future generations to enjoy. Steel scores highly on all the key criteria that we know sustainability implies.
Steel has always had a sound sustainability case, and key advantages from recycling, energy and waste minimisation were already routinely benefiting society long before climate change made sustainability such a key issue. Steel designs allow sustainable buildings to be created and the raw materials that we use to make steel are in plentiful supply.
Steel will never become a waste problem to be expensively disposed of by tipping in scarce landfill sites. Steel structures have long lives as they retain their appeal for longer and can be easily adapted, modified, extended or reconfigured to accommodate changing uses. When steel foundations are used there are no legacy problems of redundant and unwanted piles left behind.
Designers need make no special efforts to harness the many sustainability benefits of steel, these are guaranteed as soon as steel is selected for use. No other material can make these claims.
Corus recognises that steel can improve its sustainability credentials even further and, as a socially responsible supplier, is committed to the continuous improvement of its own processes. Corus has a proven long-term commitment to research and development to help the construction industry achieve its aims, and will continue this tradition to meet any new challenges of the world’s drive to our sustainable future.
