Sustainability

Sustainability in the Construction Industry

As part of the government’s Industrial Strategy, there have been clear aspirations set out for the construction industry under the “Construction 2025” project. One of these goals is sustainability with aims to be “an industry that leads the world in low-carbon and green construction exports.” The detailed vision summarises that partnerships throughout the industry, including the Government Construction Board, will allow focus on efficiency of procurement as well as exploration of options for further efficiency. Organisations such as Anglian Water have already committed to robust sustainability policies which have seen them establish long term relationships with their supply chain, establishing a commonality in their goals and strategies. An exciting initiative, that is set to be complete by the end of 2020, is that within Scottish timber. Funding has been secured from Innovate UK’s Innovation Fund, to “prove the business case for using Scottish timber to create the structural elements of buildings.” This initiative will see the manufacturing of the first Scottish sourced cross laminated timber and nail laminated timber housing unit. The project could be considered one of the first major steps leading to a boost in the Scottish economy as well as the environmental impact throughout the industry. According to Jason Hubert, Head of Business Development at Scottish Forestry; the Scottish government not only “recognises the importance of increasing Scottish timber in construction as a means of storing carbon for the long term,” but they are also “committed to getting more Scottish timber into construction and aims to increase the current 2.2 million cubic metres to 2.6 million cubic metres each year by 2021/2022.”

CITB and the Environment

Sustainability is an issue which not only has an impact upon the environment, but also has a direct impact on your company’s profitability, productivity and reputation. An understanding of best practice in sustainable construction can also open up many opportunities to grow your business. Courses in this area can qualify you to benefit from the additional work generated as a result of Government initiatives such as the Green Deal.

CITB have added another string to their Site Safety Plus bow by launching a new Site Management

Environmental Scheme e-learning course. Designed to help site managers, and aspiring site managers, who are looking to improve their overall knowledge of environmental management and legislation as it applies to UK construction sites. There are 10 key areas: Energy Management Archaeology & Heritage Ecology & Biodiversity Environmental

Management Systems Statutory Nuisance Water Protection & Management Resource Efficiency

Waste Management Sustainable Construction & the Environment Oil Management &

Contamination Control

For more info on completing this course check out https://ecourses.citb.co.uk/learningprograms/ viewprogram/id,8