A Sustainable Index for Construction Works in Spain

Abstract

Spain, along with the rest of the countries integrated into the European Union, is deeply committed to the promotion of policies aiming at a greater balance among economic, social and environmental aspects. Nevertheless, despite all the efforts already undertaken in our country in this respect, the results so far, according to the report "Sustainability in Spain 2006: brief synthesis" published by the Observatory of Sustaínability in Spain, dependent on the Ministry of Environment, are insufficient, and consequently, a Spanísh Strategy of Sustainable Development in accordance with the recently approved European Union Revised Strategy for a Sustainable Development is very much needed. The building sector, one of the most important of our economy, but also a great consumer of territory, energy and transport, must contribute to correct this situation by consolidating and increasing the initiatives towards sustainability. On the other hand, taking a closer look al the many activities related to sustainability in building in Spain, we can notice an excessive fragmentation resulting in an unnecessary multiplication -even reiteration- of efforts instead of channeling them in the same direction. lt must be added that, besides responding to the interests of very specific areas of activity, they are basically focused on the economic and environmental aspects of sustainability, practically ignoring its social implications. However, as it has been acknowledged by the European Union, the stress should be at this moment on the development of reliable sustainability indicators, paying particular attention to social indicators. Within this context, the purpose of our research is to develop an index of Sustainability Indicators in Construction Works for Spain, with a triple focus -economic, environmental and social-, transcending the interests of the different activities which coexist inside this sector, and joining efforts towards a common objective.