Press Release

Sustainable construction slips from agenda as credit crunch bites

Sustainable construction slips from agenda as credit crunch bites

Tough Government targets on sustainable construction are being missed – even on public sector projects – according to small and medium-sized contractors surveyed by the National Federation of Builders (NFB).

The trend is a worrying one for the industry's commitment to sustainability as it suggests that the issue isn't being addressed, leaving the UK with a legacy of buildings that barely achieve the standards set by the Code for Sustainable Homes.

NFB members said it wasn't that they were unable to meet sustainable specifications – many were quite knowledgeable on the driving issues and regulations - but that in over half (53 per cent) of projects tendered for they weren't even asked to consider them.

The NFB highlights this as worrying when buildings are responsible for almost half of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions and members are only being asked to install renewable energy sources on 17 per cent of projects.

The Federation has helped small and medium-sized contractors understand the long term need to respond to the sustainability agenda but points out that smaller businesses cannot drive the issue when clients put cost before sustainability.

Interviews with survey respondents confirmed this concern.

NFB chief executive Julia Evans said: "The drive for sustainability in the construction sector is clearly market driven and not all markets are actively encouraging it.

"The new build social housing sector leads the way – but is subject to tighter regulation – and the economic climate means that we are unlikely to see other sectors catching up.

"Even where sustainability is on the agenda, our research shows that it risks becoming a tick box issue with contractors being asked to do the minimum possible to achieve the standards.

"The Government is facing a difficult decision. No-one is really driving sustainability because cost is always king, so targets are unlikely to be met.

"Does the Government introduce wider and stricter legislation and risk being criticised for stifling construction during the current economic climate?"

The research also revealed that NFB members do understand sustainability, and how to deliver it when asked, but want more guidance on what kind of sustainable initiatives can reduce long term costs and make their own businesses more sustainable.

Julia Evans added: "As a result of research we have published, we have developed a strategy that will enable us to help members gain the skills and knowledge to be prepared to build sustainably, sustain their workforce, be socially responsible and, where possible, influence clients."

This strategy focuses on four key actions:

1. Explaining how to make the building process meet legislation on sustainable construction. Understanding what is required of a contractor, site manager and site team to comply with all relevant legislation.

2. Encouraging training and proper succession planning to help make members' businesses more sustainable.

3. Encouraging members to be responsible builders and employers by
promoting the Considerate Constructor Scheme that deals with many
causes of nuisance from a site.

4. Informing members of the technologies that the client is likely to add
in the future with practical, action-based guidance for members.

The NFB represents some 1,500 builders and contractors across England and Wales. In addition to providing specialist advice and business services, the Federation, with a network of eight regional offices, lobbies local, national and European government on a range of issues to sustain positive trading conditions for members.

To receive a copy of the full NFB Sustainable Construction Report, contact Paul Bogle at policy@builders.org.uk.

For more information visit www.builders.org.uk