Industry needs leadership for sustainability

Tougher Building Regulations and more client-led demand are needed for sustainable construction to take off, according to a survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Building.

Exclusive to CJ, the survey reveals an industry keen to deliver but demanding leadership from the top. A total of 99.4% of the 847 respondents said sustainability is either vital or important for the industry, but 87.8% said the industry is currently unable to mass produce zero carbon buildings.

While 73% of respondents said there has been an increase in demand from clients for energy-efficient buildings, nearly a quarter said there is no financial incentive to produce zero carbon buildings en masse a fifth said there isn't enough client demand.

More than two-thirds said the industry does not have good leadership on sustainability.

Asked what they would do if they had £1m to spend on promoting sustainability, one response was to build "a very large cage into which one could place all architects. [They] could be let out to practise again once they promise to incorporate environment-friendly design and products in their projects."