Emerging Findings
On 17 March the Low Carbon Construction Innovation and Growth Team, chaired by Chief Construction Adviser, Paul Morrell, published its Emerging Findings (PDF, 1.6 Mb) .
The Low Carbon Transition Plan is a Plan for Construction.
The Innovation & Growth Team is undertaking a strategic review of the construction industry’s readiness to deliver on the low carbon agenda, and develop a route map for the transition to the very different world that would follow a 29% cut in emissions by 2022, and an 80% cut by 2050.
Key messages from the Emerging Findings
- The Low Carbon Transition Plan sets out how the UK will achieve the targets from the Climate Change Act to cut CO2 emissions. Almost every proposition in it represents a market for construction if the barriers can be overcome, so it is virtually a business plan for the Construction Industry over the next 20 years.
- We need to develop new buildings that enable their owners and occupiers to lead more energy efficient lives without loss of comfort. We need to extend the same thinking to the 28 million existing buildings in the UK, and make them as good as they can be too; and we need to build the infrastructure that will support the production of “clean” energy and the operation of sustainable transport systems
- This is a huge opportunity; a programme measured in hundreds of billions of pounds which can help reshape the industry to become a more integrated, collaborative and progressive industry which attracts the brightest people.
- Transitions to low carbon and high performance should be seen as part and parcel of the same challenge. To take advantage of this the Construction Industry needs to develop a shared sense of purpose and a clear vision of the future so it can play a leadership role in the move to low carbon.
The full Emerging Findings document can be downloaded (PDF, 1.6 Mb) .
The emerging findings were welcomed by Industry:
John McDonough, Chairman CBI Construction Council
"Delivering a low-carbon economy is vital to our future prosperity and we welcome the IGT's contribution to how this can be achieved. Given the major role that construction can play in helping to reduce carbon emissions, the industry is ready to play its full part and sees this as a real opportunity for innovation, development and growth."
Keith Clarke, Atkins’ chief executive and Construction Industry Council’ chairman, applauded the findings:
“This IGT report should mark a fundamental turning point for our sector. It is the start of a journey we must push with innovative thinking, sustain with clever engineering and deliver with the ambition of our engineering forefathers.
“Industry and the professional institutions know the challenge is about reducing the carbon we use, emit and build into projects, and the way to do that is by pushing research and development, training and health and safety. Now we need a partnership strategy going forward that takes advantage of our desire to succeed and government’s ability to enable this to happen.
The solutions will be long term but our reactions must be rapid because what do today will influence what our children have to deal with tomorrow. Our ambition must be to tap into the low carbon opportunities of the 21st century in the same way the likes of Thomas Telford seized the day two centuries before.”
Graham Wren, Managing Director, BBGE, (member of the Federation of Piling Specialists)
“Our industry is perfectly positioned to reduce carbon emissions in the UK now and in the future. Everything we are currently constructing, if planned and designed appropriately, can contribute to the cut the carbon agenda and by working in an integrated manner construction will play a big part in achieving the challenging targets set.”
Terry Peck, Managing Director of Capital Roofing Co Ltd, (member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors)
“I am confident that every sector in construction has a part to play in reducing our carbon emissions. By developing new technologies and innovations and providing the skills to supply and install the most efficient solutions our industry is capable of reducing our dependency on carbon and improving the quality and performance of our buildings.”
Hamish MacGregor, Managing Director, MacGregor Flooring, President NSCC, (member of the Contract Flooring Association)
“Every one of us, be it a construction business, a consultant, client or trade association has a role in meeting the carbon reduction targets set. The incentives of a better place to live, more efficient products, environmentally friendly buildings and a healthy business provide plenty of reasons to change the way we operate which will ultimately benefit society. A tough challenge for construction, but one that I believe the whole industry from the largest contractor to the smallest specialist is ready to face.”
Suzannah Nichol MBE, Chief Executive, NSCC
“The low carbon agenda provides our industry with a whole range of opportunities to improve the way we deliver solutions for the built environment. A step change in how we plan, design, build and operate our buildings and infrastructure will enable new innovative and efficient materials and techniques to come to the fore and demonstrate to the wider world that construction is an industry for the future.”
Graham Watts, Chief Executive CIC
“CIC welcomes the interim report on whether the construction industry is capable of playing its crucial role in delivering the Low Carbon Economy for the future; and commends the Innovation and Growth Team for producing the work against such a tight timescale. The new jobs that will be needed to decarbonise the built environment is a major opportunity for the construction industry, both in this country and in a leading role across the globe. It will need a cohesive approach from all the professions and across the industry and CIC can't wait to play a positive role in delivering a regenerated industry that is fit for this purpose.”
Cal Bailey, NG Bailey: contribution to the House of Lords inquiry on construction waste, on behalf of SEC Group 2008
Construction will continue to waste huge amounts of materials if we continue with current procurement practices. We need an integrated delivery process in which design teams comprising consultants, contractors and manufacturers, all buy into more efficient designs and methods of construction. By reducing waste, we will also significantly reduce energy use and increase profitability right through the supply chain.
Norman Train FIStructE, President, Institution of Structural Engineers
''Addressing the challenges of a UK carbon transition plan will play to the strengths of structural engineers who are skilled in the adaptation and modification of existing buildings and the retrofit of energy systems to extend the economical life of the current building stock''
Ruth Reed RIBA, President Royal Institute of British Architects
'The RIBA is active in combating climate change by making sure that architects are willing and able to deliver the high standards of building performance demanded by clients and new regulations alike. We campaign for a high quality built environment and sustainability is a prerequisite for that quality. The RIBA’s education, training, tools and best practice equip architects to meet the low carbon challenge head on and to grasp the opportunities emerging in the design, construction, retrofitting, maintenance and operation of low carbon buildings and infrastructure. We are committed to working closely with our industry partners and the Government so that the built environment plays a major part in creating a low carbon future for us all.'
Mike Simpson FCIBSE President, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
“CIBSE believes that changing our buildings and communities is the first and fastest step to a less carbon intensive world. Engineers, architects, facilities managers and all those involved need to be united in their vision and in their approach to delivering that vision, while building users must demand change, and show their desire for more energy efficient workplaces. Tackling the energy efficiency of buildings in the UK is a win-win situation, as energy savings can pay back the capital investment. But we must speed up the process and make real headway now in order to have a fighting chance of reaching future targets.”
Michelle McDowell, Chair, Association for Consultancy and Engineering
“Adapting our built environment to the realities of global climate change and reducing its carbon footprint are two central challenges for the UK construction industry. Improving our vital infrastructure, transport links, energy, utilities and residential and commercial buildings are key to reducing the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions.
As well as new construction, there is also much to be gained through enhancing existing assets and improving the way they are used. It is in these three areas that the consultancy and engineering industry - as the designers - can play a particularly important role, by working with clients, building operators and the wider construction industry to achieve the carbon reduction targets.
However, to do this requires a shift of mind set both by the clients that commission projects and by the industry that delivers them. The consultancy and engineering industry is central to making this change a reality, and is ready to grasp the opportunities that the move toward a low carbon economy presents.
ACE is proud to represent an industry that will do much to help meet UK plc’s low carbon economy challenge.”
James Wates, Chairman, UKCG
"We live in uncertain times but there are two things we can take as a given – continuing impact of climate change and that we are running out of resources. We all have a responsibility to do something about this.
The construction industry is already designing and building low carbon buildings. This provides tremendous business opportunities and creates new skills. We are up for the challenge.”
Professor Paul Jowitt, ICE President
“Adapting individual pieces of low carbon infrastructure is not enough. We need to understand the carbon implications of interactions between assets and how they will be used by people and machines. This will require greater knowledge-sharing and joint working between engineering and built environment professionals of all disciplines.
Engineers and other built environment professionals must develop a systems approach to managing carbon impact across the UK´s interdependent energy, transport, waste and water networks. This means changing the way that engineers, clients and decision-makers think about designing and delivering infrastructure.”
