Environmental pressure from the Construction industry target sector: introduction
The Construction industry target sector (SIC 45) includes companies involved in residential and non-residential building work, civil and hydraulic engineering, installation and completion works. Preparatory work prior to building is also included in this target sector: i.e. sand and clay extraction, earth moving work and site preparation work.Environmental pressure
The direct environmental pressure caused by the Construction target sector comes mainly from the generation of building and demolition waste and the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from paint and adhesives. In addition, the Construction target sector uses energy and mains water on site, and causes emissions to the soil and into water through leaching from building materials. Construction has an impact on the livability of urban environments and is a source of landscape disturbance, both through the creation of building sites and the extraction of surface minerals.
The target sector contributes substantially to the following environmental themes: Acidification and transboundary air pollution and Waste management.
