Environmental Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability
The built environment accounts for 25 per cent of UK emissions, with operational energy use making up approximately 19 per cent. Furthermore, the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) state 80 per cent of the UK’s current building stock will still be in use by 2050, highlighting the urgent need for retrofit to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and improve overall comfort and liveability.
Why is there such a challenge?
Environmental sustainability is a complex issue shaped by:
- Carbon emissions: Both operational (the emissions from energy used during the occupational phase) and embodied carbon (those associated with the entire lifecycle of a building) from buildings contribute significantly to climate change and the built environment has a role in reducing these emissions.
- Resource use and waste: Construction and demolition account for over a third of global material consumption and waste generation. Overall, the sector needs to better understand the use and reuse of materials to reduce waste.
- Biodiversity and land use: Projects can disrupt local ecosystems and natural habitats without proper planning and enforcement.
- Climate resilience: Many existing buildings and infrastructure are not equipped to cope with extreme weather and rising temperatures.
What are we doing?
CIOB is helping lead the shift toward a more sustainable built environment through advocacy, partnerships and professional development. In particular, we:
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Publish Guidance:We publish best practice tools, case studies and technical guidance, including guides on sustainability, building performance and embodied carbon.
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Publish Research:We produce research on policies needed to encourage adaptable buildings, prioritise retrofit over demolition, and scale up energy-efficiency improvements.
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Campaign on Policy Recommendations:We urge Government to assess embodied carbon, incentivise retrofit over rebuild, and release overdue reviews such as the Future Homes Standard and MEES.
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Raise Professional Standards:We support members to embed sustainability through training, guidance and CPD, detailed on our climate and sustainability campaign page.
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Utilise our Advisory Panel:Our Sustainability Advisory Panel of experts, industry and CIOB staff advises on materials, guidance and policy for a more sustainable built environment.
What's Happening?
Governments and global institutions are increasing pressure on the sector to reduce its environmental footprint. Key developments include:
Our Briefings
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Our Campaigns & Positions
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Our Consultations
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Our Research
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Our News
CIOB sustainability conference calls for urgent action to tackle climate, nature and social crises
Unprecedented environmental, social and economic crises were at the centre of a Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) virtual sustainability conference yesterday (Thursday).
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Sustainability pioneer scoops coveted industry award
Sustainability pioneer Ian Pritchett was honoured with the Sustainability Award at this year’s Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Awards, in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to low-carbon construction.