Industry players urged to help shape framework of sustainable construction.

Construction minister Alun Michael is aiming to lay out the future of the industry with an update to the government's guidelines for sustainability in the built environment.

Michael today launched a consultation, the draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction Report 2006, and is looking for views from key players in the sector on how to make building more sustainable.

The review is an update to the Government's existing guidelines Building a better quality of life, published in April 2000 by then construction minister Nick Raynsford.

A number of areas will be examined in the report, including: building design and the code for sustainable homes; new construction methods and best practice; improving embedded energy systems; waste minimisation; enhancement of biodiversity; and improving efficiency in carbon emissions and the assessment of the impact on climate change.

Michael said: "I hope that the strategy will encourage industry to propose a positive response to some of the big questions it faces.

"The purpose of the review is to create a framework within which the industry can continue to make a strong contribution to improving the quality of our lives and take account of the dynamics of the modern built environment."

Government departments involved in the strategy include the DTI, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Defra, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education and Skills, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Office of Government Commerce.