Implementing Circular Economy Principles in Structural Engineering Practice

Last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated: “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land… Observed warming is driven by emissions from human activities. The scale of recent changes across the climate system as a whole are unprecedented over many centuries to many thousands of years.” Of course, these emissions are a product of global society as a whole. However, the building construction industry has been a significant emissions contributor and material user; approximately 40% of global material extraction is for housing, construction, and infrastructure. As structural engineers, we have a fantastic opportunity to be impactful leaders in reducing material use and emissions.