As the construction industry looks to the future - post COVID-19 - it’s looking more and more likely that a real focus will be placed on sustainability performance of individual buildings, communities and infrastructure projects, and a green recovery.
Just this week, reports industry analysts Glenigan, a coalition of eight Construction big-hitters have joined other big-business sectors in a commitment to net zero with the establishment of 'UK Contractors Declare' following discussions coordinated by Multiplex’s sustainability director, Dr Eva Gkenakou, and has eight founding signatories:
- BAM Construct UK
- BAM Nuttall
- Canary Wharf Contractors
- Morgan Sindall Group plc
- Multiplex Europe
- Sir Robert McAlpine
- Skanska UK
- Willmott Dixon
On June 1 2020 – more than 200 leading UK businesses, investors and business networks, signed an open letter, offering support to the Government in tackling the present health crisis, and urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to provide a clear vision for recovery efforts that align with the UK's wider social, environmental and climate goals.
The letter, signed by 207 businesses, investors and business networks - including a large number of construction firms - states: “With the UK facing major economic and social concerns including the risk of high unemployment and rising regional inequality, we believe that an ambitious low carbon growth and environmental improvement agenda can do a lot to address these concerns, as well as make the UK economy better prepared to deal with future shocks such as those related to climate change.
“The current crisis, in moving us all away from business-as-usual, has already created shifts in how we operate, and we believe we must use the recovery to accelerate the transition to net zero. Efforts to rescue and repair the economy in response to the current crisis can and should be aligned with the UK's legislated target of net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.”
The Prime Minister has said that a “green” recovery will be vital to help the UK come back from a dramatic economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 s pandemic. “It is indeed the vision that I have for the whole country,” Johnson said recently in Parliament. His environmental agenda is expected to be tied to a major speech at the end of June when he will reset the government’s agenda with a financial statement to prepare the UK for the new reality after the COVID-19 pandemic.
With big business, Government and public opinion now appearing to be firmly behind a green revolution, perhaps now really is the time for the entire construction industry to start working on strategy and processes and strive for ‘Excellent’ BREEAM, CEEQUAL, and CSH ratings.
As public and private clients become even more focused on environmental credentials then demand for more excellent ratings will enhance every project's market value, making it easier to sell or lease.
