The built environment (buildings and infrastructure) drives around half of the material flows in the Australian economy. Compared to Australian totals, it is estimated that buildings use 30% of raw materials, 42% of energy and 25% fresh water and are responsible for 40% of atmospheric emissions, 20% of water effluent and 25% of solid waste. The built environment represents the most important value chains for many mineral and metal materials and therefore the most important stewardship challenges and opportunities. This is certainly the case for steel, where residential and commercial buildings alone account for an estimated 33% of steel consumption in Australia, before considering engineering, mining and civil infrastructure.
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