CONSTRUCTION & BIM
ROADBLOCK TO NET ZERO
There is a long way to go to make sure new standards and processes are implemented to achieve a truly green construction sector, says Peter Sayce, Chief Product Officer at Bramble Energy.
‘Support’ is the word that springs to mind when looking at the current construction landscape and the decarbonisation challenge that it has been set. The construction industry is a major contributor to the UK economy, supports thousands of jobs and makes up the very fabric of the way in which we live our lives. It is also one of the heaviest carbon emitting industries and now has the mammoth task of completely transforming itself to decarbonise within the 2050 Net Zero goal.
A recent survey commissioned by Bramble Energy revealed over half of participants (54%) either do not have a sustainability agenda in place or if they do, they are not confident in achieving it by 2050. Taking into consideration the ambitious targets set by the UK government in Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener, there is a long way to go to make sure new standards and processes are implemented to achieve a truly green sector.
The transition must be on every level Strong action is needed from decision makers including the industry itself, government, private investors and clients to decarbonise the sector at pace. It is important that it is treated coherently, and as a whole ecosystem. The demands on the construction industry must change for Net Zero to be realised and must start at government
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level, where the built environment falls under the remit of many different departments.
Desired outcomes of projects and the sector itself have to be the same across the board with sustainability, security and resilience at the very core. Messaging needed to transition to a clean future should target not only the companies in construction but also on their customers, peers and contractors. The entire chain needs to make sure they are clear on the importance of the changes they are trying to implement, and not just assume ‘it’s someone else’s responsibility’.
The procurement of goods and services within the sector will play a huge role in changing industry for the better, with a focus on whole life carbon performance. This is where the government can use their significant purchasing power and the creation of policy within public contracts to set achievable standards for firms moving forward. Changing the priority of construction to green materials, technologies and innovations and being forceful in procurement will help this shift.
We have already seen examples of this. Most prominently the HS2 project has a focus of embedding environmental policy into its strategy, considering the firms it will work
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