NET ZERO TARGETS
RESHAPING OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
When it comes to achieving net zero targets, there is a shared responsibility to collaborate better to achieve generational change. The formation of the CO2nstructZero initiative is set to challenge the construction and engineering sector to do better.
1 Conversations surrounding how the UK reaches its 2050 net zero emissions target inevitably struggle to come to a clear definition of what net zero is – never mind the complex ways in how to achieve it. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a quarter of global carbon emissions came from buildings in 2017. Here in the UK the built environment accounts for around 45% of total carbon emissions, with roughly 25% from domestic buildings and 18% from commercial and other non-domestic buildings – e.g. schools, hospitals. So as the construction industry come to terms with the impact of the built environment on climate change and work hard at improvements, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) launched a new industry change programme in March this year – CO2nstructZero. This will be a crossindustry approach to drive carbon out of all parts of the construction
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sector, from manufacturing and design to construction and operation of buildings. “By providing a consolidated action plan, clear targets and a single ambitious vision for change we hope that we can bring together the excellent work being done across the industry in a co-ordinated way to drive real transformation,” says co-chair of the CLC, Andy Mitchell. “We’ll be working with the CLC member trade bodies to change expectations and ambitions amongst UK construction clients and consumers. We know that the industry cannot invest effectively in low carbon options unless the demand is consistent. We need everyone to work together – and we need people to step up as champions of the industry that will help to drive behaviour change and support others to tackle these challenges. We’ve seen the transformative impact that collective ambition has had on our
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industry’s standing with Government during COVID, who are now clear that the construction industry must be a key partner in the drive to reach UK net zero by 2050.” The CO2nstructZero initiative aims to develop a single overarching programme and action plan to deliver against the nine CO2nstructZero priorities, to co-ordinate the efforts of partner organisations who are leading individual activities, increasing impact and visibility of those activities and minimising duplication of effort. It will set out measurable targets and performance criteria to demonstrate the sector is making progress against the CO2nstructZero priorities and 2050 targets. It will also act as the primary conduit for engagement with Government to advise on how best to showcase the sector at COP26 being hosted by the UK in November.
