What we build today will still be here in 2050, but the world will have changed – perhaps radically. And 80% of the buildings we will be using are already built, which makes large-scale and sustainable refurbishment of property across the UK of huge importance.

In the face of climate change; concerns over energy security; a tough economic outlook; and a lack of skills and training in new technologies and building methods, the construction industry is experiencing unprecedented demand for low- or zero carbon buildings; intelligent microgeneration; sustainably sourced products and materials; and high quality green space.

And many of the key questions are framed by sustainability. We spend up to 90% of our time in buildings but how many of them are healthy, have a low environmental impact and are flexible enough to adapt to the rapidly evolving demands of their users? Are we producing the right kinds of energy and transport systems for our cities? And will they improve our quality of life and encourage greener lifestyles?

If we’re serious about creating a sustainable future, our built environment needs to be centre stage in tackling these challenges.

Our work

We give strategic advice to our partners in the construction industry, their clients and investors, and associated industry bodies. The issues we address range from stakeholder engagement and stimulating innovation in the supply chain to benchmarking, and sustainable procurement.  

We also develop frameworks to guide our public sector partners with planning and development responsibilities and we identify ways for sustainable practices to be rewarded in the market place.

Our recent projects include:

• A framework for sustainable construction in retail – we created a process framework for the John Lewis Partnership to ensure that sustainability is embedded within the planning, design and construction of its new department stores, Waitrose supermarkets, and major refurbishment projects.
• Stimulating more sustainable healthcare projects –we were one of three organisations instrumental in developing SHINE, a long-term project which helps the NHS to improve the sustainability of its buildings. The NHS spends hundreds of millions of pounds every year on its healthcare estate. SHINE aims to ensure that investment promotes sustainability and reduces its carbon footprint.   
• Engineers for the 21st Century – E21C aims to help the engineering profession respond fully to the challenge of sustainable development. It brings together promising engineers from a range of partner organisations to work on projects which create signficant improvements in the sustainability of products, processes and engineering practice.

Our partners in the built environment

Arup
Balfour Beatty
British Waterways
Carillion Building
GSH Group
Halcrow Group
Igloo Regeneration
John Lewis Partnership
Marks and Spencer
Morrison Construction
Skanska Construction Group
The Environment Agency
Willmott Dixon Construction

Contact

Martin Hunt
Lorna Pelly