The construction sector has hit its first target in the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) CO2nstruct Zero initiative to drive carbon out of the sector.
There are 28 metrics included as part of the programme’s performance framework, covering issues including the reduction of embodied carbon in products, lowering the volume of waste produced by projects and boosting the number of carbon-retrofitted homes.
While some of these metrics will take years to achieve, the campaign has secured its
first success, with 90% of planning, design and estimating professionals having
access to the relevant Net Zero training and post qualification Continued Professional
Development.
While this first success helps to sustain momentum, the CLC is clear that there is still a huge amount of work to do to secure the other targets in the framework. To support this, the CLC will be launching a series of new initiatives in the coming months including an industry group to secure zero diesel sites, and a focus on funding and finance for retrofit, as well as continuing to work with and grow its current base of 150 supporting companies.
Commenting on the update, Co-chair and Construction Minister Lee Rowley MP, said: “2021 saw CO2nstruct Zero established with industry leaders and government. 2022 will see us continue to develop and grow the programme, working with our growing network of Business Champions and Partners to co-ordinate and promote our collective progress and influence companies across the sector’s breadth and depth to join our journey.”
Hannah Vickers, programme director for CO2nstruct Zero, added: “Delivering a transformed construction sector that is fit for a net zero future will take a huge, collaborative effort from across the entire industry. Ensuring that we’re measuring our collective performance is a vital first step to enable that collaboration – and that’s why the progress we’ve tracked so far is so positive. These are the first steps on a long journey; but one that is crucial to our industry’s future.”
