SUSTAINABILITY in construction

Development of local companies into specialised markets

The Building and Construction Industry Forum supports local construction business in diversifying and looking at new market opportunities. Sustainability and meeting new carbon reduction targets provide new avenues of work that could be capitalised on and be the catalyst for the development of local construction companies into new specialised markets.

The UK Government’s targets for the reduction of CO2 emissions include a 34% reduction by 2020 and a 60% reduction by 2050. Over a third of all UK emissions are generated in the home so the adoption of renewable energy technologies or implementing energy saving measures will have a significant impact on reducing the UK contribution to global warming.

The Scottish Government’s ‘Renewables Action Plan’ , published in July 2009, identifies that:

"The imperative for action address climate change is driving development across a host of policy interests. With Scotland’s world leading Carbon Reduction target of 42% by 2020, the country is set for a decade of unprecedented activity in this sphere."

The ‘Renewables Action Plan’ aims to produce a fifth of Scotland’s energy from renewables by 2020 through:

• Kick starting the renewable heat industry to massively increase take up
• Identifying the necessary infrastructure projects and options to deliver them
• Developing the skills mix to maximise potential and attract investment.

In Scotland the Scottish Building Standards will also provide key drivers for improving the energy efficiency of new buildings, both residential and commercial. The Sullivan Report identified that more than 40% of Scotland’s CO2 emissions came from the energy used to heat, light and run buildings.

A staged approach is outlined in the report towards achieving ‘ net zero carbon buildings ( ie space and  water  heating, lighting and ventilation) by 2016/2017, if practical’,  illustrating the urgency of the timeframe we face . A staged approach was outlined towards achieving this objective based on improving the criteria included in the 2010 and 2013 building standards.