The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has launched a new sustainability guide for built
environment professionals.
The guide covers topics including sustainability development goals, green
financing, embodied and operational carbon, biodiversity and social value.
It offers practical tools and strategies to help readers embrace sustainable
practices during the planning, construction and ongoing operation of a building
to support national and global efforts to reach net zero, while also improving
the environment for surrounding communities.
Dr Gina Al-Talal, FCIOB, Head of Technical and Standards Development at
CIOB, said: “Sustainability guides are now fairly common but ours is
specifically tailored to the construction profession so will be an extremely
valuable resource for our members and the wider sector. It provides a reference
point at every stage of a construction project and emphasises the importance of
integrating sustainable practices and the difference this can make to the
environment and local communities.”
Amanda Williams, Head of Environmental Sustainability at CIOB, said: “The
construction industry has a vital role to play in responding to the twin
challenge of climate change and biodiversity loss. We must harness all the
skill and ingenuity of the sector, as we aim to ensure that the projects we
deliver today make a positive contribution to the kind of future we want to
see. This comprehensive guide to sustainability in the built environment is
essential reading for construction professionals as they work to make their
difference to this defining challenge and put sustainability at the heart of
everything they do.”
Dr Michael Yam, FCIOB, CIOB’s 2022/23 President, said: “The construction and
built environment sector needs to reset as the 2050 net zero target approaches.
This means a movement towards more intensive use of modern methods of construction,
more off-site work, more innovative use of materials, more infrastructure
directly supporting zero-carbon energy production, and more re-fitting than
knocking buildings down.
“At the CIOB, our goal is to help steer the sector through turbulent waters,
keeping an eye on our destination of a safe, carbon neutral, high-quality built
environment.
A built environment that contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable
Development Goals. It is our hope that this sustainability guide will serve as
a roadmap to
get us to that destination.”
