The environmental management has become an indispensable element for most industrial and economic activities. The desire to implement strategies to minimize the negative impact of these activities on the environment pervades various sectors, including the construction industry, traditionally one of the most polluting.
Aiming for a sustainable construction is a necessity and, to this end, environmental management must permeate all aspects of any construction project. It is at this point that the engineering becomes a key element: it is a fundamental tool to be able to implement environmental management strategies effectively.
The relationship between engineering and environmental management comes from its own definition: it says the RAEthat engineering is the "body of knowledge oriented towards the invention and use of techniques for the use of natural resources or for industrial activity". From the perspective of environmental management, the "use" to which the engineering, engineering and environmental efficiency that these techniques seek, must be based on sustainability. Within this framework of action, engineering seeks not only technical solutions to avoid damaging the environment, but also for its protection and care.
What is environmental management?
Environmental management is understood as the set of actions, plan of action or strategy adopted to to achieve maximum rationality in human activities, so that these do not harm the environment and contribute to its conservation, defense and even improvement.
Through environmental management, it is a question of finding a balance between the demands of people (well-being, safety, economic interest, etc.) and the conservation of the environment.This can also be considered a necessity for human beings, since their survival depends on it.
In this sense, environmental management would set the objectives of the technical solutions to be provided by engineering to a project. These objectives are mainly based on the following principles:
- Optimize resources.
- Anticipate and prevent environmental impacts.
- Check the resistance of the environmental system, i.e. its capacity to absorb impacts.
- The management of the environment.
Nowadays, for any activity likely to alter the environment, it is recommended to have a planning instrument such as environmental management, in order to integrate these principles, which are regulated by environmental management systems.
Environmental management systems
A Environmental Management System (EMS) is a tool for compliance with environmental legislation regulations and for continuous improvement in environmental efficiency.
Three types of EMS have been established:
- Formal system: this is the standard ISO 14001which certifies the companies' commitment to risk management and environmental protection.
- Standardized system: Eco-Management & Audit Scheme (EMAS), which is the Community Regulation on Eco-Management and Audit developed by the European Union. Although it is a voluntary tool, it distinguishes organizations that have implemented an environmental management system.
- Informal systems: internal strategies or actions developed by the company itself.
At TALATWe implement these environmental management systems through our engineering projects, thanks to different types of technical innovations.
Engineering projects to improve environmental management systems
Thanks to the development of innovative and customized engineering solutionsWe have contributed to the environmental management strategies of all types of works for various sectors, from hotel complexes to sports facilities, from private homes to health centers.
We have been in charge of integral projects as well as collaborations, integrating our contributions with those of other professionals in a flexible and effective way. These interventions have been carried out both in new construction and in remodeling or expansion projects, especially in the following areas air conditioning systemsThe energy efficiency of a building is a huge challenge.
A notable example of energy efficiency improvement can be found in the engineering project that we carried out at the hotel complex Hipotels Playa de Palmawhich has, among other solutions, photovoltaic panel systems, home automation and energy installations. aerothermal and geothermal.
Great example of engineering applied to environmental management: the new Santiago Bernabéu's hypogeum
Another example of how engineering can be used to achieve objectives set by an environmental management strategy is the hypogeum of the Nuevo Santiago Bernabéu. This subway greenhouse allows, among many other conversions, the stadium of one of the most important soccer clubs in the world to host events of the size of Taylor Swift's recent concerts without any damage to the turf.
Our engineers were integrated into a larger project to develop the air conditioning system for this 6-story subway structure where the field's grass trays are housed when there is no game.
The hypogeum allows the turf to be cared for in a controlled environment, without being subjected to the stress of weather conditions or human activities outside. To achieve this, the trays on each level have movable irrigation trusses, artificial infrared light and CO2 injection to promote photosynthesis and a system of underfloor heating and controlled ventilation to achieve optimal humidity and temperature conditions that favor the growth and preservation of the grass.
Thanks to the design of HVAC systems, intelligent air conditioning, even in exceptional circumstances such as those of the Bernabeu hypogeum, it is possible to advance in the implementation of environmental management systems that translate into concrete and immediate actions for sustainable development.
If you want to find out how to integrate these types of actions for make your project as sustainable as possible, contact our team and let's start talking about how to achieve it.