Industry urged towards sustainability

by Tim Wood



Construction companies that respond to the sustainability agenda can look forward to increased financial performance, more repeat business and greater liaison with customers and clients.

However, according to the Building Research Establishment, which offered the advice, too many construction companies are currently uncertain about what sustainable construction means to them and how it will impact on their business performance.

Now the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions is to fund a project to encourage firms to improve performance. It aims to help them cope with having to operate and manage projects differently to incorporate sustainability into their business by developing a set of self assessment tools

The BRE is currently seeking out firms that would like to collaborate on this project. They will be invited to attend a workshop designed to help them make the most of sustainable construction as a business opportunity.

David Crowhurst, BRE project manager, said: "Some companies are endeavouring to move themselves down the sustainability agenda, but there is a significant part of the construction industry that still has some way to go.

"What we are trying to do is provide them with a means that enables them to identify where they are and what they can do to move themselves forward. We want to learn from those that are making progress and then develop a mechanism for transferring that information to the rest."

Crowhurst added it is vital that all construction firms adopt sustainability in order to stay ahead of their rivals. "The Government has just issued its strategy to try and improve the sustainability of the industry and improve its performance," he said.

"If that is the direction Government policy is going to go in, moving in tune with that is likely to put you one step ahead of the rest."

Firms interested in the management tools should contact the BRE on 01923 664950.