Another question from the now infamous sustainable construction draft strategy.  Please feedback to us on our BuilderScrap.com blog if you have an comments.

Q: What specific actions could the construction industry take to lead by example and procure projects more sustainably?

1. A significant proportion of respondents said this was an issue for clients. Indeed, some respondents said the construction industry had no role to play.

2. Many saw effective delivery of the Egan integration agenda as the key contribution the industry could make. Some respondents suggested Government could provide leadership here (some suggesting Government funding should be conditional on integration) and on whole life costing and sustainable sourcing of products and materials.

3. Some respondents pointed to the challenge of defining either sustainability or whole life costs or value. There was also a view that there should be two strategies – one for new build and one for refurbishment/renovation. A number of people welcomed the inclusion of off-site construction and saw this as a key way in which more sustainable construction could be delivered.

4. Concerns were expressed about the timber target in the absence of targets for other materials.

5. Some respondents emphasised the importance of whole life costing to the industry’s future. A number of responses pointed to the focus on initial price as being a key barrier to a more sustainable industry. There were suggestions that industry should work with Government to develop one or two mandatory / standardised approaches to Whole Life Costing (WLC). Some also called for a greater focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) / environmental reporting / environmental management in procurement decisions.

6. The need to ensure the industry and its customers had the right skills to understand sustainability in the procurement context featured in a number of responses.