A wrap up of 2019

A wrap up of 2019

2019 has been a year of many changes on the environmental agenda. So, as we look back on a wrap up of 2019, let’s look at some of the key issues.

The government and businesses have committed to addressing the environmental challenges we face. These challenges include single-use plastics, climate change, air quality and the decline of biodiversity.

Today, and over the next few days, governments from across the world are meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference COP25. Here, they will work to come to an agreement agree on how to implement the Paris Agreement. Fuelled by organisations like Extinction Rebellion, consumers and lobbying groups, the environmental agenda is now at the centre, not the periphery.

How can the construction industry support climate action?

Increasingly, we recognise the construction industry has a key role to play in climate issues. Whether it’s designing buildings to minimise energy and carbon, sourcing responsible products, eliminating waste or reducing emissions, each business has a role to play.

Some great progress has been made. For example, companies are setting bold targets of net-zero and beyond. However, there is still more to do across the sector. This means clients, designers, contractors, sub-contractors and end-users must all play a part.

For me, collaboration is key to unlocking and creating the change needed. Luckily, the great thing about construction is that when faced with a challenge, we all find solutions together.

Here at Construction Industry Publications, collaboration is a key principle of what we do. The Environmental Manual is produced by experts from across the industry, who give their time to producing a leading sector publication on environmental issues.

Designed for businesses big and small, it contains a summary of environmental legislation, policy and best practice. This spans from design, through to construction. Plus, it comes in both digital and hard copies.

The manual is updated twice a year to ensure we are providing the latest policy & best practice. In our December update, we have a new section on site set up to ensure when sites are being established decisions are made to reduce the impact on the environment. We have also updated the waste section on the Environment Agency’s Low Risk Waste Position and the nuisance section on new emissions levels for non-road mobile machinery. For more information or to subscribe to the manual please click here.

Free tools to help your construction business

In the spirit of collaboration and recognising the role we all play in driving the agenda forward, we have created tools to help support your business. Our new, free insight tools will help your business to better manage its environmental impact.

In April we launched our Environmental Insights. This is a free bi-monthly newsletter featuring the latest news and best practice on environment. In fact, it’s a useful resource to make sure everyone working in the sector has the latest news and views. To subscribe, please click here.

We have also launched our thought leadership series. Environmental experts in the industry have written their views and opinions on key environmental issues, Issues covered include plastics, water quality and biodiversity net gain, to name a few.

We’ve designed all of these resources to ensure we create an industry which has a positive impact on the environment. 2020 looks to be another exciting year. However, one thing is for sure – collaboration across the industry will be key to addressing the challenges we face.

Everyone at Construction Industry Publications would like to take this opportunity to wish all our subscribers both new and old a very merry Christmas and a peaceful 2020. We look forward to welcoming new subscribers to all our resources in 2020.