Deciding between civil engineering firms in Idaho is a process in and of itself, one which shouldn’t be rushed—you need to know that your civil engineers have your and your project’s best interests at heart. Being on the same page is crucial to its success.

Part of your interview process should include asking how your team of civil engineers can help reduce the project’s carbon footprint. In addition to acting responsibly on behalf of the planet, a civil engineer who has plans to reduce their carbon footprint will save you utility and maintenance costs down the line.

What civil engineers can do to reduce their carbon footprint

Construction contributes to a large chunk of greenhouse gas emissions—a recent report from C40 indicates that 11 percent of global carbon emissions comes from construction projects. We are all aware of the personal measures we can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as saving energy, water and gas whenever possible, making our homes more energy efficient, using public transportation when possible and other mitigating decisions. However, the amount of energy expended to actually build the homes and offices we use is a major contributing factor.

So, what can construction companies and civil engineering firms in Idaho do to cut down on their carbon footprint? Here are some tips:

• Use recycled materials: Materials are the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in construction. The amount of energy it takes to manufacture steel, cement and other building materials is staggering—which is why it’s important for engineers and developers to plan projects using recycled materials whenever possible. Ask your civil engineer how they approach recycled materials in their designs, and if they can think of other ways to avoid using newly manufactured materials.
• Reduce energy consumption: Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to consider ways in which the building design can save on energy consumption both during and after construction. How does your civil engineer take energy efficiency into account? Do they have examples of other buildings they’ve designed with reducing energy consumption in mind?
• Sustainable engineering and construction: Finally, sustainable engineering and construction can help reduce your overall emissions. Today, programmers and engineers are working together to create planning software that helps identify ways to cut the carbon emissions. These factors can include anything from the supply chain to specific construction methods on-site.

Reducing emissions is the key to responsible construction and development. It requires taking the long view and evaluating not just what will work right now, but planning for the future, including how the development will be used and what the surrounding areas might look like over the next decade or more.

Civil engineering in Idaho

Mason & Associates is Idaho’s premier civil engineering and surveying firm. We can handle all aspects of surveying as well as planning your next land development project. Since 1989, our team has been serving southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon, offering skill, commitment and experience. Reach out to us today to learn more about our services.