CABE appoints leading consultancy to look at its environmental impact

Sustainability consultants Beyond Green will undertake a comprehensive audit of CABE's environmental impact and identify ways in which the organisation can reduce its footprint.

CABE has appointed the sustainability consultants Beyond Green to undertake a comprehensive audit of its environmental impact. Beyond Green will be working in collaboration with footprinting experts Best Foot Forward.

As the government's advisor on architecture, urban design and public space, CABE has a key role to play in stimulating the market for more sustainable goods and services and for championing more sustainable buildings and urban environments. CABE wants to embed sustainability in its internal operations, external activities and practical advice.

Richard Simmons, CABE chief executive points out that buildings are responsible for no less than 40 per cent of UK carbon emissions, making a major contribution to climate change. 'It is essential that buildings are better designed, constructed and occupied in order to reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption and resource depletion,' he says. 'At CABE we do not believe that the sustainability agenda is just a box-ticking exercise. Sustainable design should be synonymous with good design. No building, public space or neighbourhood can really be considered well designed if it does not contribute to environmental, social and economic sustainability at the local, regional and global scale.'

The audit will look at CABE's environmental impact and identify practical ways in which the organisation can reduce its footprint. It will look at three distinct but interrelated areas:

1. Organisation: the building CABE staff work in and the resources, goods and services consumed.
2. Family and contractor: the activities of the CABE staff, commissioners and expert advisors as well as the contractors and service providers used.
3. Impact and influence: CABE's research and campaigns, guidance and practical advice.