What is ISO 21931‑2 - Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works about?
ISO 21931‑2 is the second part in the multi-series of standard documents that is applicable to the sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works. It details best practices in order to assess, communicate and improve potential impacts of civil engineering works on sustainable development.
ISO 21931‑2 provides a general framework for improving the quality and comparability of methods for assessing the contribution of civil engineering works and their related external works to sustainable development based on a life cycle approach.
Note: ISO 21931‑2 does not set benchmarks or levels of performance relative to environmental, social, and economic aspects and impacts.
Note: Valuation methods, levels, classes, or benchmarks can be prescribed in the requirements for environmental, social, and economic performance in the client’s brief, construction regulations, national standards, national codes of practice, civil engineering works assessment, and certification schemes, etc.
Note: For example, the assessment includes any local civil engineering works beyond the immediate area of the civil engineering works; the transportation of the users of the civil engineering works; and the use and exploitation of the civil engineering works itself.
Who is ISO 21931‑2 - Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works for?
ISO 21931‑2 on sustainability in civil engineering works is relevant to:
- Investors
- Local authorities and building authorities
- Designers and consultants
- Policymakers
- Appraisal specialists and estate agents
- Civil engineers and contractors
Why should you use ISO 21931‑2 - Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works?
The sustainability performance evaluation analyses elements and impacts in order to assess the environmental, social, and economic performance of civil engineering projects using qualitative and quantitative indicators that are quantified without making value judgments.
ISO 21931‑2 establishes a framework for methods of assessment of the sustainability performance of civil engineering works and related external works.
ISO 21931‑2 aims to bridge the gap between regional and national methods for the assessment of the sustainability performance of civil engineering works by providing a common framework for their expression.
ISO 21931‑2 identifies and describes issues to be taken into account in the development and use of methods for the assessment of the sustainability performance for all types of civil engineering works, both new and existing. It is relevant for the assessment of the environmental, social, and economic performance of both new and existing civil engineering works over their entire life cycle. This can help you minimize negative impacts and maximize positive direct and indirect impacts on sustainability, through a focus on:
- Use of resources (materials, water and energy) and waste generation
- Discharges into water, atmosphere and soil
- Biodiversity and ecosystems
- Social impacts, throughout the value chain, and
- Innovative and proactive approach towards selecting the most beneficial and economical alternatives.
Overall, ISO 21931‑2 will help you to measure and understand the sustainability performance of civil engineering works in order to assess, communicate and improve their potential impacts on sustainable development.