'Green' specifying: myth and reality – part 1

Some designers and organisations give the impression that ‘green’ specifying is something special and set apart from the 'conventional' design and specification processes. But that’s simply not the case, according to the RIBA’s NBS team, simply because ‘green’ is hard to define, measure and integrate without regard to the wider context. Here, they offer some useful guidance on a subject fraught with myth and misdirection.

Green issues have to be integrated with all the other performance requirements to be considered by the project team, such as fire, strength, durability, maintenance, health and safety and cost. Green issues appear in the NBS in various ways:

• In upfront general guidance to work sections, under headings 'Environmental issues' and 'Health, safety and the environment'
• In clause guidance, which deals with particular product attributes and cross-refers to general guidance where appropriate
• In the clauses themselves

The guidance aims to draw the attention of specifiers to the main issues associated with a particular product, or method of construction, and direct them to further key sources of information.

Clauses are what usually interest specifiers wanting to meet the green agenda for their project. NBS is sometimes asked for the ‘green’ version of its specifications, or for all ‘green clauses’ to be identified. This presents problems, because a product clause may often include a green attribute alongside a more conventional attribute. In addition, of course, green agendas are always project specific – a product that satisfies the green agenda for one project will not necessarily satisfy another’s. Just to illustrate the point, NBS clauses can be categorized broadly into those that have a recognizably 'green aura' and those that are 'neutral' until the specifier takes some action.

'Green aura' clauses are readily identifiable by their subject or heading, e.g. rainwater/greywater recycling systems, composting toilets, cellulose fibre insulation and non-hydraulic lime/sand mortar. 'Neutral' clauses are those awaiting decisions on clause inserts (e.g. UK sheep wool insulation versus mineral fibre insulation) or decisions on clause selection (e.g. timber windows versus plastics windows) to attain the 'green aura' in the context of the project specification.

Integration of green issues within the design and specification process is essential, and it starts way back at the project appraisal and briefing stage. This is where opportunities for greening must be raised, unenlightened clients persuaded and a commitment forged. This commitment may, for example, be the pursuit of a BREEAM 'excellent' rating for the project.

Where green specifying is different from conventional specifying, is in the need to make decisions about the green credentials of products and materials – and this is where matters can get really complicated! How do you compare the credentials of one product or assembly against another? Where do you go for information? What is a ‘green product’ anyway?

Look out for part 2 of ‘Green’ specifying: myth and reality in the next edition of Monthly Briefing to find out how leading industry experts (including the NBS) are addressing this issue

 

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