The All Party Parliamentary Committee for Excellence in the Built Environment has launched an inquiry into sustainable construction and the Green Deal, and has called on firms, organisations and individuals in the sector to submit evidence on best practice, challenges and barriers.
Buildings account for nearly 50% of all carbon dioxide emissions and reducing the carbon footprint of our new and existing buildings is vital if the UK is to reach its ambitious carbon reduction targets.
In the last five years the UK government and the EU has introduced a raft of legislation to further these aims. This includes the code for sustainable homes, more stringent building regulations and the Green Deal - the instrument intended to kick start a revolution in retrofitting.
But is the industry playing its part? Is sustainability suffering in the recession? What more can be done to promote green construction in public and private sector building projects? We would like feedback on the spectrum of green construction and policies. These include:
- Evidence of best practice of sustainable construction in the built environment - and how this could be repeated?
- Barriers to sustainable construction - what is holding the industry back and how could this be improved?
- Progress on sustainable homes - too much too fast?
- The Green Deal - is the policy the right one? What can be done to ensure take up?
The APPG for EBE Commission of Inquiry comprises of members of both Houses of Parliament, senior members of the construction professions and key influencers and decision makers in other aspects of society.
Peter Aldous MP, John Alker, John Armitt OBE, Patrick Bellew, Peter Bonfield OBE, Oliver Colvile MP, the Earl of Lytton, Jack Pringle, Rt.Hon. Nick Raynsford, Andrew Stunell MP, Lord Teverson.
The Construction Industry Council acts as Secretariat to the Group. The Inquiry will examine written submissions and will involve four roundtable sessions, at which oral evidence will be presented to the Commission directly. It is hoped that these will give an opportunity for a candid and open discussion, exploring alternative viewpoints and leading to a pragmatic consensus.
The APPG for Excellence in the Built Environment was formed in July 2010. The group’s primary remit is to present a holistic and overarching view from all sectors involved in the planning, design, construction, management and maintenance of the built environment.
The built environment encompasses all forms of building (housing, industrial, commercial, hospitals, schools, etc., and civil engineering infrastructure, both above and below ground and includes the managed landscapes between and around buildings.
The APPG for the Excellence in the Built Environment seeks to work closely with other All-Party groups representing particular sectors of the built environment, such as architecture and planning, climate change, infrastructure, building, highway maintenance and gas safety. It is committed to investigate all current issues relating to the built environment and to engage parliamentarians and other serious commentators in looking at those major strategic issues affecting the built environment, which impact upon the lives of every constituent.
The group is chaired by Oliver Colvile MP, with Rt. Hon Nick Raynsford MP and the Earl of Lytton acting as vice-chairmen, while Lord Howie of Troon is the group’s Treasurer. The secretariat for the group is provided by Construction Industry Council, represented by the Chief Executive, Graham Watts OBE and Kamila Tomaszewska.
The APPG for EBE parliamentary members include: (Conservative) Sir Tony Baldry, Paul Uppal, David Amess, Jane Ellison, Andrew Griffiths, Dr Phillip Lee, Jessica Lee, Penny Mordaunt, David Mowat and Laura Sandys. (Opposition) Lord Howie of Troon, David Wright, John Spellar, Clive Betts, Luciana Berger, Adrian Bailey, Ian Lucas, Jack Dromey, Nic Dakin, Nick Raynsford and Paul Farrelly, the Earl of Lytton, the Earl of Mar and Kellie.
