The Construction Commitments
Sustainability
North East - 21st May 2008
Big issue:
- How do we improve sustainability beyond statutory requirements for same/less money?
Good ideas:
- Why should sustainability be a cost issue? Added value should be considered to overcome this
- Make sustainability more affordable - cheap products, more research
- Educate/raise awareness of the positive benefits of sustainability
East Midlands - 4th June 2008
Big issue:
Good ideas:
- Use of more sustainable materials i.e. synthetics rather than finite resources. Use of material currently landfilled
- 99% reduction in carbon emissions
- Long lasting service life, lower maintenance
Yorkshire and the Humber - 16th July 2008
Big issue:
- How do we make the increase in cost to meet the sustainability agenda, affordable and attractive for clients?
Good ideas:
- Demand needs to increase (to reduce materials costs).
- Someone needs to create the demand for a Code 6 Home
- Value engineering
- Payback periods - what is 'affordable'?
South East - 3rd September 2008
Big issue:
- How can we make sustainability more affordable?
Good ideas:
- Focus/targeting: - "More bangs for your buck" - inhouse knowledge - expert advice
- "Just do it"! - supply and demand - cost will start to come down.
- Engage with supply chain- take advice - share knowledge
- Make sustainability a core business objective
- Appoint a 'delivery champion' - prevent/mitigate unforeseen problems during implementation
- Behaviour
West Midlands - 1st October 2008
Big issue:
- What is the benchmark for sustainability?
Good ideas:
- Environmental/Environment/Social - the Triple Bottom Line
- Sustainable communities as well as environmental performance features such as the Code for Sustainable Homes
- Continuous Improvement as opposed to meeting a standard(s)
South West - 5th November
Big issue:
- How do we make sustainability affordable?
Good ideas:
- Cost is too often confused with value
- If the industry adopts sustainable technologies they become cheaper
- Focus needs to change from initial capital outlay to life-cycle costs
- Early involvement of sustainability issues can save capital costs
- It is not a 'bolt-on' it is an integral part of project delivery
- Understanding brief
- Strategic as opposed to project specific
North West - 4th December 2008
Big issue:
- What is a sustainable community?
Good ideas:
- One with mixed uses, tenures, employment, leisure, shopping and transport links. Managing energy and waste and striving towards renewable energy. Where people want to live for a lifetime. With involved stakeholders with 'ownership' of the place.
East of England - 25th February 2009
Big issue:
- How do we deliver sustainability aspirations whilst keeping control of costs?
Good ideas:
- Look at your supply chain and evaluate the cradle to grave impact of the materials going into the building. The Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 targets could be met in one or two large components (e.g. insulation) allowing greater flexibility in the choice of other materials. Also look at the overall build/install costs.
