Guillem Baraut, CEO of SOCOTEC: "Engineering is the key pillar for sustainable construction".
Within the framework of the Conversas + Sostenibles day, organized by Cadena SER, an outstanding interview took place highlighting the fundamental responsibility of engineering in sustainable construction.
Guillem Baraut, CEO of the engineering firm SOCOTEC Spain shared his vision on two key aspects: the need to reduce the environmental impact generated by construction and the importance of increasing efficiency in the use of buildings.
"Engineering is the key pillar for sustainable construction"
The need to reduce the environmental impact
Casa Seat in Barcelona was the setting for this event that brought together diverse voices committed to advancing society without jeopardizing our future. During the interview conducted by Sergi López, editor of Cadena SER's "Hoy por Hoy" program, Baraut highlighted the crucial role that engineering plays in promoting sustainability in the construction of buildings and cities.
One of the main concerns addressed by Baraut was the need for engineering to assume its responsibility in reducing environmental impact during the entire construction process. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of making decisions that require fewer resources and minimize waste. Two main fronts were identified to address this challenge: reducing the consumption of "new" materials and the efficiency of construction processes.
Casa Seat in Barcelona was the setting for this event that brought together diverse voices committed to advancing society without jeopardizing our future. During the interview conducted by Sergi López, editor of Cadena SER's "Hoy por Hoy" program, Baraut highlighted the crucial role that engineering plays in promoting sustainability in the construction of buildings and cities.
One of the main concerns addressed by Baraut was the need for engineering to assume its responsibility in reducing environmental impact during the entire construction process. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of making decisions that require fewer resources and minimize waste. Two main fronts were identified to address this challenge: reducing the consumption of "new" materials and the efficiency of construction processes.
Reuse, reindustrialization and recycling
"In our buildings, between 500 and 1000 kg/m² of materials are invested, which generates a significant impact. It is crucial to stop extracting and producing new materials, and start using the resources that are already at our disposal, building from reuse, reindustrialization or recycling," explained Baraut during the interview.
Although progress has been made in terms of sustainability, Guillem Baraut pointed out that there is still much to be done, especially in relation to energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies in the construction sector. In addition, SOCOTEC's CEO highlighted the importance of digitalization as a tool to control environmental impact and make informed decisions based on data.
Involvement of the public administration
It is imperative that both the private sector and public administration work together to promote parameters that foster sustainability and adopt circular waste management in all conversion processes. Only through a solid and committed collaboration will it be possible to move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
Guillem Baraut's interview on Cadena SER made it clear that engineering has a key role to play in sustainable construction, and its responsibility is not only limited to reducing environmental impact, but also to optimizing efficiency in the use of resources. With the commitment and joint action of all the actors involved, it will be possible to build a sustainable future in which the balance between economic growth and the environment is a reality.
