Delta has had a strong focus on circular and Cradle-to-Cradle© optimised construction for more than 20 years. We have made significant strides in this. Cradle-to-Cradle© is a holistic design principle, but commercial development requires strategic choices.
Focused on CO₂ reduction
Our sustainability choices are partly determined by budgets and planning. We therefore actively strive to reduce our CO₂ footprint. Making a logistics building operationally CO₂-neutral is relatively easy: building without gas and fitting around 25% of the roof area with PV panels already takes us a long way. However, the real challenge lies in the material-related CO₂ emissions during construction. This embedded footprint is often many times larger than the building's operational CO₂ emissions, e.g. for lighting, heating and cooling.
Data-driven insights
At Delta, we have been calculating the total CO₂ footprint, including materials, operational emissions and energy generation, for years. We do this together with WiseBrick, which gives us detailed insights. Our first project with a comprehensive CO₂ inventory was HelloWorld in Hoofddorp, developed with VolkerWessels Logistics Development at Schiphol Trade Park.
Confronting results
The results were a wake-up call. This Cradle-to-Cradle© optimised, BREEAM Excellent building with energy label A+++++ and an MPG score of 0.31 had material-related CO₂ emissions of over 18 million kg CO₂. This equates to 381 kg of CO₂ per m². In comparison, this footprint was 80 times larger than annual operational emissions! Furthermore, this figure (due to Paris Proof standard) only relates to the production and construction phase of the main building - so the actual impact over the full life cycle is even higher.
The Dutch Green Building Council sets the limit for material-bound emissions for logistics buildings at 240 kg CO₂ per m² to be considered ‘Paris Proof’. So we were still far from that and saw room for improvement.
Concrete improvements and Paris Proof certification
WiseBrick's detailed analysis allows us to make targeted choices and engage with manufacturers and suppliers. Measuring = knowing. This resulted in our ABC Harnaschpolder project, again together with VolkerWessels Logistics Development, where material-related emissions were reduced to 221 kg/m². This makes us officially ‘Paris Proof’.
Keep innovating
Can it get any better? Absolutely! We continue to look for innovative solutions and make ever smarter choices within our economic frameworks. Step by step, Delta continues to build a
sustainable future.
Future Forward! We make the difference!
Coert Zachariasse,
CEO Delta Development
For more information, also check out the websites:
www.wisebrick.earth
www.volkerwessels.com
www.dgbc.nl
Share this article via
© Delta Development
