Industry and government launch joint strategy to become world leader in sustainable construction

Construction minister Shriti Vadera has launched the joint industry/government Strategy for Sustainable Construction, which sets out challenging but achievable targets to be delivered by industry.

The commitments are to:

Recruit 230 000 additional trained construction workers by 2010;

  • Cut work-related deaths by 10% year on year;
  • Supply an extra 13 500 apprenticeship placements by 2010;
  • Achieve a 50% reduction in the amount of construction waste that is taken to landfill.
  • Ensure 25% of materials are responsibly sourced by 2012.
  • Ensure construction projects over £1 million have biodiversity surveys carried out, and instigate necessary actions by 2012.

Vadera said: “Our aim is to become a world leader in sustainable construction.

“This strategy, which has uniquely been developed jointly by government and business, will provide greater certainty over what is expected from the sector in future, from training and developing skills to tackling the challenges of climate change.”

As part of this industry initiative, key government departments have also signed up to the Strategic Forum’s Construction Commitments, which include best practice on procurement, such as collaborative working across the supply chain and whole-life costing.

The pledges cover six key areas and are accompanied by a set of aims for the industry to meet over the next four years. The Forum is set to focus on: procurement and integration; people; client leadership; sustainability; design quality and health and safety.

Strategic Forum chairman Mike Davies said: “The government has taken a lead with a number of key departments already announcing that they will adopt the commitments.

“I want to see every company in the industry demonstrate their support for this agenda by putting their name to the commitments.”

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor