29 July 2016 | Martin Read

Organisations representing the property and construction industry have joined forces to call for the UK’s existing focus on decarbonisation to be maintained as part of any EU exit negotiations.

Members of the alliance of 18 organisations, which is led by the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), have signed an open statement to the industry.

“Incentives remain strong for business to address climate change and other urgent sustainability challenges,” says the statement. “A low carbon built environment can be a catalyst for innovation, investment and job creation. It can drive productivity and economic growth, and provide a platform for exporting British expertise, engineering and technology to a global market.” 

The statement’s signatories have committed to working collaboratively to achieve this, across the industry and with government.

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “Reducing energy consumption and increasing the energy efficiency of both the new and existing commercial building stock is a vital component not only of our contribution to international treaties, but also to increasing productivity in the economy and ensuring future energy security. The government must take this into account in drafting its industrial strategy.” 

Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive of UK-GBC, said that it was now more important than ever to minimise future risk, reduce costs and generate new commercial opportunities.

“Low carbon buildings and infrastructure will deliver these outcomes. The businesses represented in our collective memberships span all aspects of the property and construction industry. It’s this unprecedented scale of collaboration that is required to achieve a low carbon sustainable built environment, and take the message to government that this is as good for UK plc as it is for GDP.” 

The organisation’s joint statement can be found here: tinyurl.com/FMW0816-ukgbc