How to survive the recession

The financial crisis has preoccupied virtually everyone over the past couple of months, but it seems as through the sustainability sector is holding up well.

There is no question that if you focused your business model on, say, residential or commercial office development, then things might be quiet.

But, if your model is diversified and you have tentacles into more buoyant sectors such as infrastructure and education (Learning Skills Council and BSF in particular), then you are likely to be busy.

The Middle East also seems to be holding up well and EPC's Carbon Reduction commitments, costed strategies for carbon reduction, whole life costing, as well as green rating work such as LEED and BREEAM appear to be as strong as ever.

The slow down in construction is, however, likely to result in greater pressure for carbon reduction in the existing estate.

What the industry now desperately needs is a definition for zero carbon so if there is new development, the market knows where it’s heading.

The existing estate is of course more challenging because there is less of a 'one size fits all' for refurbishment.

What the industry now desperately needs is a definition for zero carbon so if there is new development, the market knows where it’s heading.

Other positive signs include Gordon Brown's decision to create a new department for Energy and Climate Change, to appoint Ed Miliband as its minister and increase the challenge of the Climate Change Bill by increasing the reduction target from 60% to 80% at the eleventh hour.

The addition of feed in tariffs is also an encouraging sign for micro renewables.

So, in summary, we think the economic situation will be tough and the slow down will see a change in focus from new build to the existing estate, but only time will tell for sure.