Government to adopt UKGBC plan to halve emissions

The UK Green Building Council is to develop a business plan for the construction sector that will target a 50% reduction in emissions. Once complete, the government will adopt the ambitious plan which aims to halve emissions by 2020.

The business plan is one of several low-carbon focused measures which will be announced by the government next week when its response to the Innovation and Growth Team’s Construction report will be published.

Chief executive Paul King revealed to Building back in February, the UKGBC’s intention to draw up a business plan which would tackle carbon emissions without relying on the government to enforce or subsidise change.

John Alker, director of policy with the UKGBC, confirmed the business plan was in the process of being drawn up.

“The UKGBC is committed to delivering a plan for the industry which cuts emissions but does so in a way which is profitable,” said Alker.

“We plan to do this by thinking outside the box and being innovative. Hopefully this in turn will further strengthen our relationship with the government.”

A plan requiring homeowners to have energy efficiency upgrades when they call builders for unrelated work is also expected to be announced as part of the government’s final response.

Following on from that it is believed a Green Construction Board will be formed – comprising a mix of public and private representatives – which will oversee the progress of government reforms by facilitating co-operation with the industry.

The IGT report on how the construction sector could meet the low carbon agenda was published in November 2010.