Yet again we find ourselves here at BuilderScrap.com delving deeper into the draft for sustainable construction. Today’s question focuses on the construction industries reaction to climate change, and the respondents varying opinions.

Q: Are there other actions that the Government should be taking to help the construction industry rise to the challenge of climate change?

1. Although a wide variety of suggestions were offered by respondents to this question, the vast majority (about 75%) were concentrated around just 10 themes.

2. Many respondents said that the existing stock of buildings (mostly domestic, but there were also some references to non-domestic buildings) needed to be improved, though there were few suggestions as to how this should be accomplished. The focus was on improving energy efficient performance of these buildings, rather than on adaptation.

3. Approximately 7% of responses urged the establishment of climate change adaptation targets.

4. Respondents urged the promotion of specific technologies, e.g. the generation of energy from renewable sources; use of particular products, sometimes with higher thermal mass; or innovations to make building more adaptable to future climate change.

5. Some respondents thought more information should be provided by Government on these issues. A number sought clearer definitions by Government, e.g. on Zero Carbon and carbon neutrality. Some suggested fiscal incentives.

6. Some responses urged improvements in compliance software; improvements in tools such as BREEAM; and recommended defining a standard for carbon counting.

7. Other areas which attracted comments were: a need to address embodied energy in carbon footprints; a need to focus on non-domestic buildings; tightening the planning system; sponsoring more research; and infrastructure considerations.