Understand the environmental impact of construction

It is well established that the construction industry can have major environmental impacts. But the true scale of the sector’s pollution is laid bare by the numbers. Construction is believed to account for:¹

• 4% of particulate air pollution;
• more water pollution incidents than any other industry;
• and thousands of noise complaints every year.

This has not escaped the attention of governments and regulators. And in recent years, tougher UK and EU legislation has significantly increased the potential costs associated with environmental incidents in construction.² For example, the Environmental Liability directive, which includes the ‘polluter-pays’ principle.³

In turn, that has seen building and construction firms prosecuted for pollution events. Fines have been handed down starting from a few thousand pounds.⁴ But legally the fines are unlimited.⁵

Clearly then, there is a pressing need for building and construction firms to:

• avoid or carefully manage polluting activities;
• reduce their environmental impacts more generally;
• and to take out environmental liability insurance. This is to help protect their finances and reputations if the worst should happen.

But what are the main environmental risks that construction firms need to consider as part of their risk management and insurance arrangements? Broadly speaking, they break down across three areas: air pollution; water pollution; and noise pollution.

Environmental impact of construction: air pollution

Construction is a relatively high contributor to air pollution.⁶ And air pollution causes can include:

• land clearing;
• operation of diesel engines;
• demolition; 
• burning and working with toxic materials.⁷

As anyone who has worked on site will know, construction can generate a lot of dust. This can be from building materials like cement and stone, vehicles on site, or from demolition activities.⁷ And there is a risk this dust can impact local environments.

Environmental impact of construction: water pollution

In construction, water pollution can occur when water containing pollutants from a site runs off into surrounding water courses.

The risks here can be as simple as heavily silted water being discharged into a nearby river or stream. This is known as sediment pollution. Or it could be less visible issues like surface water run-off containing harmful chemicals like paints, solvents, and diesel. Meanwhile, chemical pollutants can soak into groundwater, affecting drinking water.⁷

Environmental impact of construction: noise pollution

Noise may not be the first issue to spring to mind when it comes to the environmental impacts of pollution. But it is a potentially serious issue all the same.

Clearly, construction sites can be noisy places, thanks to the extensive use of heavy plant, vehicles and machinery. But noise can also come from shouting and loud radios.⁷ High levels of site noise carries a risk of affecting local residents and construction workers – but can also have an effect on local wildlife.⁶

Environmental liability insurance

For the construction industry, all these risks create a real challenge. Failing to put in place proper controls to manage the environmental impacts of construction can lead to:⁵

• Environment Agency (EA) investigations;
• prosecution;
• and in some cases, an unlimited fine and imprisonment.

On top of that, firms found to have polluted the local environment may have to cover the cost of remediating environmental damage. They may also face legal action from third parties seeking compensation. This could be local residents or businesses for instance.

Taken together, that can add up to significant financial consequences. And since the EA can publish details of enforcement action,⁸ it can also lead to serious reputation damage.

Clearly there is no substitute for effective management of environmental risks on construction sites. For example, putting in place and following a detailed environmental management plan.

However, if the worst should happen, putting in place environmental liability insurance may prove to be more than just good practice. Environmental liability insurance offers cover for liabilities arising from pollution or environmental damage including:

• clean-up of pollution;
• third-party bodily injury and property damage;
• and in dealing with the aftermath if an accident or unforeseen incident leaves a firm held liable for a pollution event.

It can also help with:

• legal defence fees;
• civil damages;
• and clean-up costs. 

You can find out more about environmental liability by contacting your local office.

Sources:

1. sustainablebuild.co.uk/pollutionfromconstruction 
2. abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance 
3. daera-ni.gov.uk/environmental-liability 
4. theconstructionindex.co.uk/builder-fined-for-illegal-bonfire 
5. uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com 
6. highspeedtraining.co.uk/pollution-from-construction 
7. organicnaturalpaint.co.uk/pollution-from-construction-the-legacy-persists 
8. gov.uk/environment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policy