Build back greener
The government has legislated to end its contribution to global warming by 2050. To achieve this, we need to use the collective buying power of the public sector to drive change in the delivery of public works - reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieving sustainable outcomes.
All contracting authorities should set out strategies and plans for achieving net zero GHG emissions by or ahead of 2050 for their entire estate/infrastructure portfolio. These should be aligned under an overarching sustainability framework, and systems and processes should be in place to ensure their projects and programmes deliver on the targets set. Recognising the design life of public works, contracting authorities should adopt the use of whole life carbon assessments (e.g. PAS2080) to understand and minimise the GHG emissions footprint of projects and programmes throughout their lifecycle.
Achieving sustainable outcomes should be considered alongside the net zero commitment. For example minimising the use of resources and energy, reducing waste and increasing biodiversity. This supports the government's presumption in favour of sustainable development and the commitment to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
| Navigating the Construction Playbook |
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| The Construction Playbook has been structured around the main stages of a typical procurement and project lifecycle: • Preparation and planning • Publication • Selection • Evaluation and award • Contract implementation There are 12 chapters each setting out best practice for specific topics with 14 key policies flowing through the Playbook. The key policies are the reforms or actions which will have the greatest impact in improving how we deliver public works projects and programmes. The symbol for a key policy is a Playbook icon | |
and each time this appears it flags an important policy that practitioners should take note of.