Building & Construction
This page includes information to enhance literacy about the impacts associated with building and construction, demonstrate what Notre Dame is doing to mitigate the industry's effects, and inspire ways you can take action.
The built environment is a testament to our progress as a modern society. It reflects our ability to harness and mold resources to develop spaces where we gather together to live, work, and recreate. However, as our communities expand and the demand for infrastructure rises, it becomes increasingly important to consider the long-term impacts of building and construction. Since we spend over 90% of our time in buildings, creating high-quality urban environments is also critical to our health.1
A Building's Life Cycle & Embodied Carbon
When designing buildings, every detail counts, whether it is the type of windows, the sourcing of building materials, or even the building's location. Each phase of a building's life cycle—from design and material selection to construction, operation, and eventual demolition—affects human health, the economy, and the environment.
During the construction, renovation, or demolition phases, buildings can generate what is known as "embodied carbon," which are emissions produced throughout the lifecycle of building materials, from extraction and manufacturing to transportation and installation. Over time, buildings can contribute a considerable amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in urban areas and utilize massive quantities of other resources like natural gas and water.2,3
The Construction Industry's Environmental Footprint
Identifying the impacts of the construction industry is complex due to both on-site and developmental factors. Still, some estimates reveal that the construction industry is responsible for 40% of global energy and natural resource consumption. Global research shows that 10-30% of landfilled waste is generated by construction projects, and some of the most significant environmental impacts of construction include water and soil contamination, excess raw material consumption, environmental degradation, and fuel consumption.4
The Role of Refrigerants
A notable factor in a building’s emissions impact is related to how refrigerants are managed. Used in AC units and other cooling appliances like refrigerators, refrigerants are essential for cooling and climate control, but are also potent greenhouse gases. Proactive refrigerant management that recovers and disposes of these gases properly can help to avoid fugitive emissions and the outsized impact that they have on our environment and society.
Many refrigerants, particularly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), have a global warming potential (GWP) thousands of times higher than carbon dioxide. For example, R-410A, a common refrigerant, has a GWP of 2,256, meaning it traps over 2,000 times more heat in the atmosphere than CO₂ over a 100-year period.5 Additionally, refrigerant leaks contribute to ozone depletion and climate change, making the transition to low-GWP alternatives, such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and natural refrigerants like CO₂ and ammonia, a crucial sustainability effort.
How Notre Dame is Addressing Its Impact Through Building & Construction Efforts
Notre Dame recognizes the criticality of designing our urban environment with sustainable practices in mind. Human health, functionality, environmental impacts, and financial resources are considered when erecting new buildings and modifying existing spaces.
Moreover, the University is reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with campus buildings by implementing energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, and sustainability-minded construction practices. To learn more about how Notre Dame is reducing its emissions, see our Greenhouse Gas Emissions page.
Retro-commissioning Existing Structures
While constructing efficient new buildings is a key component of sustainability, it is also important to utilize existing structures whenever possible. Buildings can last for hundreds of years, and upgrading them rather than demolishing and rebuilding helps conserve valuable materials while reducing the GHG emissions associated with new construction. See our Energy Conservation Strategies & Policies page to learn more about how Notre Dame is retro-commissioning existing buildings to reduce their impact.
LEED-Certified Building Standards
Since 2008, Notre Dame has been committed to constructing and retrofitting campus buildings to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, a globally recognized standard for sustainable architecture awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. There are four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Notre Dame has 26 LEED-certified buildings and counting. Examples include:
- Morris Inn, LEED certification: Gold
- Duncan Student Center, LEED certification: Gold
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Compton Family Ice Arena, LEED certification: Silver
See the complete list of LEED-certified buildings on campus.
Green Roofs
Notre Dame has over 212,000 square feet of vegetative "green" roofs across campus. Green roofs can provide several environmental and structural benefits: they enhance building insulation to lower energy demands, reduce the urban heat island effect, provide pollinators with additional food sources, and improve stormwater management by absorbing and filtering rainwater. Additionally, green roofs can extend the lifespan of buildings by shielding roof materials from UV radiation and temperature fluctuations.
One of the most notable campus green roofs sits atop the Joyce Center. This green roof is the largest in Indiana at 68,900 square feet. Spanning nearly two acres, it features over 32,000 trays of plants from 25 different species and was recognized with the New Municipal Best Management Practice Award (2022) from the Indiana MS4 Partnership for its contribution to stormwater management.
Learn more:
- Green roofs continue to grow across campus skyline
- ND Works Podcast: Green roofs at Notre Dame with Tony Polotto
- Mendoza’s new roof: It’s alive!
- Largest roof greenscape in Indiana lives atop Notre Dame’s Joyce Center
- Green Roofs Serve as Another Enhancement to the Notre Dame Stadium Area
Construction Waste Management & Material Reuse
The University prioritizes responsible material use during renovations and new construction, ensuring that resources are recycled, repurposed, or donated to avoid sending materials to landfills.
Diverting Construction Waste
Our Facilities Design and Operations team works tirelessly to reduce construction waste as the campus continues to update and expand. One notable example includes the construction of Jenkins-Nanovic Halls. During the development of these halls, the construction team diverted 83% of waste from the landfill. Additionally, over 39% of the building material contained recycled content, and roughly 40% was either harvested or manufactured within 500 miles of the campus.
Fixture & Furnishing Donations
When the University vacates spaces, second-hand furniture and fixture stores such as Chicago Furniture Bank and the former Habitat ReStore have been invited to receive viable materials, from traditional furnishings like couches, desks, waste bins, and lamps to functional finishes like stair hand railings, baby changing stations, outlet covers, and exit signs.
Surplus Property Program
Before an item is discarded, it is expected that all University assets go through Notre Dame's Surplus Property Program, through which Notre Dame students, faculty, staff, and local community members can shop for affordable second-hand goods, including furniture, computers, office supplies, lamps, and more.
Learn more about the waste diversion at Notre Dame on our Waste Diversion page.
How You Can Make an Impact
Thankfully, you don't need to make big changes to your daily work habits to contribute to more sustainable buildings on campus. At Notre Dame, we're lucky to have qualified leaders actively planning and developing a healthier and more efficient built environment. However, small actions in your own space, whether in your office, dorm, or your home, can make a difference, too.
Submit AiM Work Requests
If you notice problems like your office or dorm thermostat going to extreme heating or cooling periods, faucets leaking, windows unable to close, or automated lighting errors, submit an AiM work request. You are the eyes and ears of campus, and by submitting orders, you help our Utilities & Maintenance team members save resources and prevent small issues from becoming significant problems. Note: You must be connected to the eduroam server or Notre Dame's secure VPN to access the site.
Reduce Your Energy Usage
Turn off your lights and electronics when you don't need them on. Consider purchasing energy-saving power strips that reduce energy consumption.
Choose Efficient Appliances
When it's time to upgrade your appliances, opt for energy-efficient machines that are powered by electricity instead of gas. Learn more about Energy Star-certified appliances.
Prioritize Purchasing Sustainably
Consider home goods and building materials that have a lower impact and support businesses that strive to achieve more sustainable operations. The Ecolabel Index tool is a great place to understand ecolabels and identify brand values.
Dispose of Refrigerants Properly
Old refrigerators, air conditioners, and other cooling appliances contain refrigerants that must be handled correctly. When disposing of them, check for responsible disposal options in your area. You can also visit our A-Z Recycling Directory for recycling guidelines at Notre Dame.
Minimize Waste
Instead of throwing away old furniture, consider donating or repurposing it. Buying second-hand furniture is another excellent way to reduce waste and support a circular economy.
Improve Your Home's Efficiency
Keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient by sealing gaps around windows and doors. Using thermal curtains and weather stripping can help reduce heating and cooling costs. Get to know your community and state options, as well!
- The Indiana Office of Energy Development administers the Indiana Energy Saver Program.
- The City of South Bend offers an Energy Assistance & Solar Savings Initiative (EASSI).
- Most utility companies offer efficiency incentives.
Sources
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Roberts, Tristan. "We Spend 90% of Our Time Indoors. Says Who?" 2016.
- Dessalegn, E., Shitaw, T., & Yidnekachew, E. "Analysis of the Socioeconomic and environmental impacts of construction waste and management practices." National Library of Medicine, 2022.
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"IPCC Global Warming Potential Values." Greenhouse Gas Protocol, 2024.