The Playbook expects contracting authorities to 'set out strategies and plans for achieving net zero GHG emissions by or ahead of 2050 for their entire estate/infrastructure portfolio', and that 'systems and processes should be in place to ensure their projects and programmes deliver on the targets set' (p.5). Feedback from review participants suggests that much more can be done to ensure that frameworks drive zero carbon targets and improved sustainability. For example, 69% of the industry participants consider that frameworks should be used more actively as a medium through which to drive zero carbon actions, and they refer to:
■ Good intentions but few firm commitments or tangible signs of progress
■ Focus groups who have yet to convert their discussions into actions
■ The absence of deadlines to drive management actions at framework level.
69% of industry participants say frameworks should drive zero carbon actions. |
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The Anglian Water @one alliance 'effectively used alliances and collaboration to enable innovation' when it was challenged to deliver stretching efficiency and carbon targets - the 50% reduction in embodied carbon being particularly challenging. The @one Alliance experience on carbon has demonstrated that collaborative and integrated teams have pooled their combined expertise and their broader partner capability to deliver innovative solutions and have been driven to meet what at first sight looked an unlikely target' (Annex 3 case study 1). |
Frameworks enable the net zero carbon commitments of individual organisations to be integrated into coherent strategic plans. They provide systems for net zero carbon proposals and other sustainability initiatives to be carefully evaluated at a strategic level and then to be adopted consistently on successive projects.
Framework contracts convert net zero carbon objectives into actions by creating new lines of communication, new commitments and clear timescales for clients and industry to agree sustainable solutions that are practical and affordable. For example, frameworks can support a strategic approach to rapid and safe implementation of the retrofit programmes for existing housing and other public buildings that are essential to achieving net zero carbon targets.
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Constructing West Midlands and North West Construction Hub report that they are 'working with the Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure & Construction in developing and piloting a challenging national construction industry carbon reduction code under the headings of: ■ Water - To minimise and reduce potable water usage in construction and operational use.; consider embodied water in the manufacture of materials, works and services ■ Waste - To minimise waste by reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering in the built environment, throughout the construction phase and across the supply chain; consider a circular economy approach diverting waste from landfill ■ Materials - To identify, source and use environmentally and socially responsible materials; consider health and safety requirements and other ways to promote well-being for construction workers and future building-users such as eliminating hazardous materials ■ Biodiversity and ecology - To protect and improve flora, fauna and habitat and provide ecological benefits throughout the project lifecycle ■ Land, air, water, noise - To maximise positive, and minimise negative effects on land, air, water, noise, throughout the construction delivery phase and to provide a lasting legacy ■ Supporting communities - To consider the environmental impact on the community and to get involved with and establish how a project can provide benefits and improve the area ■ Transport and mobility - To consider opportunities for sustainable transport of labour and materials throughout the construction delivery phase and to consider opportunities to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport usage ■ Climate change mitigation and adaption - To minimise greenhouse gases emitted in the built environment, the construction process and in the manufacture/delivery of associated goods, works, services; consider and maintain flexibility in design and construction processes and delivery methodologies to cater for future climate change adaption; reduce operational energy demand (before offsetting); reduce embodied carbon (before offsetting)'. |
Through collaboration among framework providers, clients, managers and suppliers, the proposals designed to achieve net zero carbon targets and other sustainability initiatives can be assessed and costed objectively for adoption on framework projects. Frameworks also support joint net zero carbon initiatives by sharing access to the systematic use of digital information, MMC and SME expertise, particularly where the scale of a framework programme enables consistent supply chain procurement and where collaborative framework systems are used to facilitate the exchange of ideas.
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Crown Commercial Service reports that their 'framework specifications emphasise delivery of sustainability through the design process, materials selection, construction techniques and construction methods implemented, supporting 2050 net zero commitments, and ultimately a whole life carbon approach. Suppliers are mandated to identify opportunities to clients on achievement of sustainability objectives. Specifications also contain more detailed requirements, shoring-up these higher-level objectives, for example: ■ Adopting the application of BRE's Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) ■ Promoting, conserving and enhancing biodiversity, including use of Biodiversity Action Plans or equivalent, and the management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) ■ Following the principles of the Green Public Procurement (GPP) voluntary instrument ■ Adherence to packaging regulations and the reduction of embedded carbon, particular important in Building Materials'. |