New research by NBS finds half of industry professionals still unclear on duty holder responsibilities for higher-risk buildings As the six-month transition period for Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs) comes to a close, new research from NBS, the UK’s leading specification platform, shows the industry is still struggling to achieve a
A new purpose-built student accommodation scheme being built in the heart of Leeds city centre’s Arena Quarter has topped out and the scaffolding has now come down to reveal the new Merrion Street landmark, ahead of the development opening this summer. The part five, part seven and part nine storey
Successful trial of concrete sensor technology benefits major projects in road, rail and water… Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has made significant time and efficiency savings for its customers after using new concrete sensor technology. Costain’s materials engineers have been using Maturix’s concrete sensors to keep track of the strength
SINCE opening in April 2023, the new £21m Morpeth Sport and Leisure Centre has become a cornerstone of the community in the town. Continuing its huge success, it has been shortlisted for not one, but two construction industry awards. A sophisticated example of how well-designed facilities can strengthen social cohesion
Housebuilder The Hill Group and the Shearer Property Group (SGP) have commenced archaeological works ahead of the first phase of development of City Centre South, a £450 million regeneration scheme that will transform Coventry city centre. These essential preliminary works will ensure the heritage of the site is understood, recorded,
This result contributes to promoting a more sustainable approach to resource management Prysmian, leader in the energy transition and digital transformation, announces results of new and rigorous long-term ageing testing on the Sirocco family of cables, proving expected lifetime of more than 50 years, allowing operators to calculate the life
Henley Stone Specialists, BCM GRC and Smart Crosby International (SCI) have joined forces to launch a single source solution for the full design, manufacture, supply, and installation of GRC wall cladding systems. Construction firm Henley Stone Specialists, the UK’s leading installer of high-grade Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete, BCM GRC Ltd, leading
UK’s leading safety company will showcase responsible ranges and joined-up safety solutions at the NEC in Birmingham. Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, will be exhibiting at this year’s Health & Safety Event, scheduled to take place from the 30th April to 2nd May at the National Exhibition Centre in
Aggregate Industries has opened a brand new asphalt plant to serve Staffordshire and the surrounding areas as part of a £9m investment. The Cauldon plant in the Staffordshire Moorlands is based next to the company’s existing Cauldon Low Quarry, which will serve the plant with materials. The investment is the
Nine in 10 project managers working in the construction sector are confident the UK government will meet its 2050 net zero target, according to a new survey by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession. But 70% highlighted concerns over the profession’s pipeline
New research by NBS finds half of industry professionals still unclear on duty holder responsibilities for higher-risk buildings As the six-month transition period for Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs) comes to a close, new research from NBS, the UK’s leading specification platform, shows the industry is still struggling to achieve a consensus on the scope and requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022. The report reveals half of industry professionals remain unclear on the responsibilities of duty holders for the gateways defined for higher-risk buildings. What’s more, only 20 percent of respondents feel confident they are ‘very clear’ on the differences in responsibilities, if the project is defined as a higher-risk building. This is a deeply concerning figure. What the research makes clear, is a greater effort is urgently required to ensure a universal understanding of the BSA’s role; particularly, clarifying the lines of responsibility and duties, whilst improving the consistency and quality of documentation and record keeping on construction projects. Commenting on the findings, Russell Haworth, Chief Executive Officer UKI at Byggfakta Group, NBS’ parent company, said “At our Construction Leaders’ Summit last October, Dame Judith Hackitt told the audience, in no uncertain terms, that regulatory change is coming, and it’s unstoppable, so the construction industry needs to be fully prepared. Fast-forward to April 2024, and our research shows many specifiers are struggling to get to grips with the requirements, and this needs to be resolved. All designers must have the correct approach to specifications if the industry is to raise the bar on building safety. This includes getting to grips with the ‘nitty gritty’ of the BSA if they want to operate in the new regulatory landscape.” Worrying still are attitudes towards the Golden Thread and the critical role it plays for HRBs. For example, just under half of those surveyed (45%) are clear as to how they will manage building information to realise the Golden Thread and just one in ten have a solid plan in place. Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS, said “The level of understanding around the golden thread of information is worrying. As well as providing a continuous flow of information throughout the entire lifecycle of a building, it is necessary to ensure all relevant safety-related information is readily accessible and up to date.” He stressed the need for robust specifications that will act as a point of reference to demonstrate that designs meet the Building Regulations as part of the submitted plans at the gateways. “However, the Building Safety Act presents a great opportunity for the industry to take back control of both the design process and through proper change control processes ensure that sub-standard construction does not happen. Safety starts with the specification and a well-managed approach to spec writing must form part of the standard design process.” David Bain, Research Manager at NBS, said “Consistency is the backbone of progress and the stakes have never been higher when it comes to HRBs. These studies serve to highlight ‘trouble spots’ and importantly, offer an understanding of how to take the industry forward as a whole.” The full report, which provides insight into industry views on the Building Safety Act and its implementation, launches in April 2024. To find out more about NBS, its services, and expertise, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new purpose-built student accommodation scheme being built in the heart of Leeds city centre’s Arena Quarter has topped out and the scaffolding has now come down to reveal the new Merrion Street landmark, ahead of the development opening this summer. The part five, part seven and part nine storey building has been designed by Brewster Bye Architects and is being delivered by Urban Developments (York) Ltd on a site previously occupied by a bar and nightclub. In late 2022, Q Investment Partners (QIP), the Singapore headquartered private equity real estate firm, acquired the scheme in a deal worth approximately £15million. James Coppack, from QIP Development Group, said: “We are very proud of our recent collaboration with Urban Group that included a strategic revamp of our product standards as we continue to best position our upcoming UK PBSA developments. This Leeds asset will be an important addition to our expanding student housing platform.” Once complete the development will offer 88 high specification studio apartments with associated amenities, including a lounge, gym, study rooms, a cinema room, laundry facilities, staffed reception area and cycle spaces, and will be operated by Prestige Student Living, the premium brand of Homes for Students, ensuring a high-quality living experience for the residents. Nick Gould from Urban Developments (York) Ltd, said: “Work on this development is progressing well which is testament to the strength and experience of the whole development team and everyone involved is pleased to reach these important construction milestones. “We’re now looking forward to completing the internal fit-out and are on track to hand the development over to QIP this summer, with students moving in for the start of the 2024/25 academic year.” Mark Henderson, a director from Brewster Bye, said: “After designing the scheme and securing planning permission for it in 2022, it’s brilliant to see it heading towards completion and now the scaffolding is down, it’s revealed the façade and high-quality materials that are a key feature of the development. “It’s also rewarding to see how its stepped design complements the surrounding streetscape, in such a great location, just a short walk from the universities and surrounded by bars, restaurants and shops, which will make it a very popular place to live.” QIP is a global leader in purpose-built residential real estate. As a fully integrated platform, QIP creates best-in-class living assets including PBSA and multi-family. The company invests in mature markets across the globe such as UK, US and Japan. QIP’s UK portfolio consists of 11 assets to date as it pursues a strategy to deliver c.2,000 beds across prime university cities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Successful trial of concrete sensor technology benefits major projects in road, rail and water… Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has made significant time and efficiency savings for its customers after using new concrete sensor technology. Costain’s materials engineers have been using Maturix’s concrete sensors to keep track of the strength and temperature of setting concrete. The technology has been deployed across a number of Costain’s projects in the road, water and rail sectors. The Gaia 200 sensors, each the size of a large smartphone, send real-time temperature and strength data wirelessly to engineers, temporary works designers and other specialist contractors. This information helps them make faster, more informed decisions, for instance about when to remove the formwork following a concrete pour. The introduction of these sensors has reduced the length of time that the formwork is in place by around 33%, on average. Traditionally, concrete pours are tested by physically removing cube samples to be examined under lab conditions, with a typical pour requiring around six cubes. The ability to record readings directly and accurately from sensors means that these tests are no longer required. One Costain project has used the sensors for more than 80 different pours and structures, eliminating the need to conduct destructive testing of approximately 500 strike cubes. Bhavika Ramrakhyani, head of materials at Costain, commented: “We have an important role to play in maximising efficiency for our customers without compromising on quality or safety. It is important that our engineers have instant access to the right information at the right time, with crucial information sent directly to their devices and laptops. This means they can make informed decisions to accurately determine when it is safest to remove the temporary falsework and formwork after a pour. “We’ve already seen enormous efficiency benefits. Programme delivery speeds have improved considerably, with striking times reduced by a third on sites where we have used the sensors. At the same time, the technology enables us to repurpose and reuse more of our temporary structures, as well as reducing the quantity of materials used, lowering our carbon footprint, which is another major benefit.” Anojan Selvarajah, materials engineer at Costain, said: “We’re pouring more than a thousand cubic meters of concrete every week, so it’s important that we can safely and easily monitor concrete strength data with a high degree of accuracy throughout the construction cycle. As an engineer I found this system to be very reliable and user friendly to use on sites.” Tobias Ejersbo, CEO at Maturix, added: “Costain has a fantastic heritage in UK infrastructure and a track record of innovating to realise greater efficiency. We are pleased that its engineers are seeing the benefits from using our real-time concrete monitoring system to keep track of the strength and temperature of dozens of pours across multiple different projects. “As someone passionate about technology and not from a construction background, it is amazing to see how Maturix can help others with their passions. Construction is evolving at such an amazing rate we are so privileged to be part of the journey.” Costain is an advocate of Production Thinking, which combines modern methods of construction with new technologies and materials, digital tools and smart decision making, all with the aim of driving productivity. More than a thousand people at Costain have completed production thinking e-learning training to further drive quality, predictability, safety and low carbon thinking into customer delivery teams. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SINCE opening in April 2023, the new £21m Morpeth Sport and Leisure Centre has become a cornerstone of the community in the town. Continuing its huge success, it has been shortlisted for not one, but two construction industry awards. A sophisticated example of how well-designed facilities can strengthen social cohesion and inclusion in an aesthetically pleasing hub, the centre has been shortlisted in the Public Sector Project and Community Benefit Project categories of this year’s RICS North East Awards. Commissioned and funded by Northumberland County Council and Advance Northumberland, this project was designed by leading firm GT3 Architects and constructed by Willmott Dixon. Located at the edge of the town centre conservation area and sitting beside the River Wansbeck in Gas House Lane, the new facility acts as an exciting bookend to the existing high street. Along with the sporting facilities – including a six-lane swimming pool and spectator gallery, learner pool, spa and fitness suites, studio and multi-use sports hall – the centre incorporates a new community services hub. This includes a double-height community library, a customer service centre, a café and soft play with connections to a poetry garden and outdoor terraces, plus a brand-new adult learning facility with classrooms for a number of courses. Since opening, the new centre has enjoyed a 200 to 260 per cent increase in swim, gym and class visits and a 165 per cent increase in community members. Paul Reed, director and sport and leisure lead at GT3 Architects, commented: “We knew from the very first discussions about revitalising Morpeth’s leisure centre that there was a huge opportunity to design a new typology of public building – one which embraced social cohesion, community, and wellbeing, just as much as sporting excellence. “Naturally, as architects, we are keen to ensure our buildings fit their context and can be considered visually as great designs, however a more important driver is that people enjoy and interact with the spaces. Our design team worked hard to create a flexible and inclusive destination, which better supported the various community and sporting groups within the area, whilst also offering new users a reason to visit. “We’re incredibly proud of the story the numbers tell about the resulting impact on the local community and delighted that the centre has been recognised by RICS. We hope Morpeth Leisure Centre will continue to deliver tangible and enduring social value for the region, offering a new model for cohesive leisure and community delivery.” The GT3 Architects design team also focused on carbon reduction and sustainability by introducing a large-scale photovoltaic roof array to provide reliable energy source and CO2 savings. They also included a series of building-wide heating and cooling solutions to minimise waste energy. Paul continued: “Our sustainability strategy for Morpeth was built on three core pillars – social, environmental, and economic. There’s little point in designing the most environmentally sustainable facility if no one wants to be there. As well as more than doubling the use of the sport facilities, the council has been able to generate additional income while consolidating its overheads and feeding into social fabric of the town.” Northumberland County Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet Member for Promoting Health Lives, said: “The design of the centre is truly spectacular. It is bright, spacious and takes advantage of the beautiful views of the River Wansbeck. It is an incredible building, and a vibrant community space offering the facilities and activities that the local community want. This has been backed up by the record attendance figures since it opened a year ago.” Jo Robison, director at DPP planning, said: “The building is an amazing success and has already become the heart of the community. “The site was a complex one in planning, heritage and flood risk terms but through careful engagement and clever design responses, the team has created a public building that brings people together for good and we are incredibly proud to have played a part in that.” The shortlisted projects for the 2024 RICS North East Awards will be judged in the coming months, with a number of judge’s recommendations put forward as finalists for the national awards later in the year. For further information, please visit www.gt3architects.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder The Hill Group and the Shearer Property Group (SGP) have commenced archaeological works ahead of the first phase of development of City Centre South, a £450 million regeneration scheme that will transform Coventry city centre. These essential preliminary works will ensure the heritage of the site is understood, recorded, and preserved before the start of construction. A team of archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology has begun a survey of the site with trenches taking place in various locations, starting in the Barracks car park before moving to Bull Yard and Shelton Square. The works are estimated to take seven to eight weeks to complete, and disruption to businesses and visitors will be kept to a minimum. The task will include the excavation of 23 trial trenches of varying sizes and depths, seeking to locate the line of the historic city wall as well as identify any other archaeological remains. Items of significance found during the works will be logged, protected, and covered for further investigation until the site has been cleared. Hill and SGP are working closely with Coventry City Council and West Midlands Police to ensure that emergency protocols are in place should the trenching unearth any unexploded ordnance that remains as a result of the city’s bombing during the Second World War. Andy Fancy, Managing Director at The Hill Group commented: “We are committed to carrying out the archaeological investigation works at City Centre South both safely and sensitively to protect any historical findings before the start of construction. These works are a routine part of the development process and essential due to the development’s location at the heart of Coventry’s historic centre.” Almost a thousand homes have been given the green light in this first phase of City Centre South, including 200 affordable homes, along with space for shops, businesses, and public open space in a pedestrian-friendly quarter. The new development, designed by acclaimed architecture firm Allies and Morrison, introduces a contemporary style that takes its inspiration from Coventry’s heritage. Conveniently located within a five-minute walk of Coventry train station, the development forms a major element of the wider masterplan for the regeneration of the city. Construction at City Centre South is scheduled to start in the autumn, with the first homes expected to be completed in early 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This result contributes to promoting a more sustainable approach to resource management Prysmian, leader in the energy transition and digital transformation, announces results of new and rigorous long-term ageing testing on the Sirocco family of cables, proving expected lifetime of more than 50 years, allowing operators to calculate the life cycle analysis of their networks over an extended period. Optical cables have now been deployed for decades, with fibre and cable technology continually evolving, and telecom networks are expected to be robust to environmental stresses over a lifetime of many decades with protection provided to the optical fibres at the heart of the network reliability. Besides providing mechanical protection, the optical coatings and cable materials must themselves remain stable across the cable’s deployment lifetime, whatever the environmental conditions. As part of the continuing industry leadership in cable design and reliability, Prysmian has performed long-term aging and lifetime certification of SiroccoHD and SiroccoEXTREME microduct cables and the fibres contained therein in order to simulate a cable lifetime of at least 50 years under dry and wet aging conditions. The data demonstrates that after lifetime simulation, optical fibre attenuation as well as cable performance and material properties remain unchanged and can meet industry specifications set for newly manufactured cables. “Prysmian’s Sirocco HD and Extreme cables are already well known as highly sustainable and extremely efficient solutions. Due to their extra-compact size and extreme fibre density, they’re easily deployable, make the most of limited duct space, require fewer raw materials and reduce transportation costs.” states Ian Griffiths, Global R&D VP, Digital Solutions at Prysmian. “Now, after optimisation of the optical fibre and materials, and rigorous testing, Sirocco cables have an expected lifetime of more than 50 years, without any compromise on performance during that time.” “With the completion of this testing, it is now possible for operators to calculate the lifecycle analysis of their networks over a much longer period of time – more than 50 years.” adds Frederick Persson, Executive Vice President Digital Solutions at Prysmian. “This contributes to minimizing waste and promoting a more sustainable approach to resource management, and will be critical for creating the long-lasting, high-performing networks of the future.” To access the white paper and test report click on this link. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henley Stone Specialists, BCM GRC and Smart Crosby International (SCI) have joined forces to launch a single source solution for the full design, manufacture, supply, and installation of GRC wall cladding systems. Construction firm Henley Stone Specialists, the UK’s leading installer of high-grade Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete, BCM GRC Ltd, leading UK GRC manufacturer, and top engineering design specialists Smart Crosby International (SCI), have launched a comprehensive single source solution for the design, manufacture, and installation of Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC). This collaboration signifies a landmark moment for the UK GRC market, making the entire process more time-efficient and cost-effective for the end client. With over 90 years of combined experience within the UK GRC market and as long-standing members of the GRCA, this formidable trio already have a comprehensive track record of successfully and collaboratively delivering high-volume, top-quality, prestigious GRC cladding projects from design through to installation. With all aspects of the process provided by UK factories and offices, each company is an expert in their discipline aiming to offer clients an unrivaled package for GRC cladding requirements. The benefits of the collaboration are significant, providing more durability and minimal project maintenance, alongside a reduced construction phase and efficient delivery programme. In addition to this, GRC is a more sustainable solution for the environment, by significantly reducing carbon footprint due to a streamlined process. Shaun Henley, Founder and Managing Director of Henley Stone Specialists, commented: “We are delighted to be working alongside our partners BCM and SCI, this collaboration could be a landmark moment in the UK GRC construction sector. It is the first time a single-point solution for GRC has been offered to the UK market. With Henley Construction Management Group having recently launched our HZS stainless steel division the timing of the new venture is perfect. Our new division gives us the capability to produce our own, in-house stainless-steel brackets and fixings for all GRC projects. With our manufacturing capabilities and expertise in GRC installation, this joint venture will be sure to create more efficiencies and accuracy for our valued clients.” Darin Ballington, Director at BCM GRC Ltd added: “We’ve got a long-standing history of collaborating on projects with Henley Stone Specialists, so it seemed a natural fit to formally launch a new collaborative offering to the market – we’re excited to see what the future brings and to work on the highest of quality projects together.” John Dunthorne, Managing Director at SCI said: “We’re proud to be part of this new offering and the benefits it will bring clients across the industry. We will, of course, continue to work with other partners across the industry, but this collaboration will allow us to streamline specific joint projects and make them more cost-effective and efficient.” Significant collaboration projects between Henley Construction Management Group, BCM, and SCI include the supply, design, and installation of GRC on the Halo Project – a 7-story 116,000 sq ft Grade A office in Bristol that received a BREEAM Outstanding rating, in addition to The Charterhouse, a 206,000sq ft office and retail development in Farringdon, and Brentford Block D, a mixed-use project which provided 102 new homes in central Brentford. For more information on this comprehensive solution for GRC and to view a full list of services, benefits, and case studies, call Henley Group on 01924 472277 or email info@henleystone.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK’s leading safety company will showcase responsible ranges and joined-up safety solutions at the NEC in Birmingham. Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, will be exhibiting at this year’s Health & Safety Event, scheduled to take place from the 30th April to 2nd May at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The event takes place during a momentous year for both Arco and the health and safety industry, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and Arco’s 140th anniversary. Arco’s interactive exhibition can be found in Hall 4, Stand 4/G100 and has been designed to take visitors on a journey through the hierarchy of control, emphasising the importance of a joined-up approach to safety management. With a focus on consultancy, training, expert advice, compliance and sustainability, Arco aims to demonstrate its unparalleled safety expertise. Visitors to the Arco stand can expect immersive experiences, including virtual reality demonstrations where they will be placed in realistic environments, highlighting hazards within working at height and confined spaces. The stand will also showcase Arco’s award-winning Responsible hi-vis and Responsible workwear product ranges, as well as its product-assurance process and independent UKAS-accredited laboratory. Ahead of the event, Arco has been shortlisted in four categories for the 2024 Safety and Health Excellence Awards. Arco is nominated for: BSIF Product Innovation Award Safety Product Category (Non-PPE), Campaign of the Year, Distributor of the Year and Marketing Campaign of the Year, as well as sponsoring and judging this year’s inaugural Sustainable Company of the Year award. The winners will be announced during the award ceremony that will take place on the second night of the three-day Health & Safety Event. Gareth Wray, Marketing Director at Arco, commented: “We are thoroughly excited to be attending The Health & Safety Event during such a special year for Arco and the industry. We have gone above and beyond to create a truly engaging experience for visitors, showcasing our expertise not only in sourcing and delivering quality and compliant products, but in driving forward sustainable practices and offering joined-up safety solutions. “We look forward to interacting with the many attendees and sharing our expertise to drive positive change in safety practices.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries has opened a brand new asphalt plant to serve Staffordshire and the surrounding areas as part of a £9m investment. The Cauldon plant in the Staffordshire Moorlands is based next to the company’s existing Cauldon Low Quarry, which will serve the plant with materials. The investment is the first new asphalt plant to be built by the company since 2013 and it will provide asphalt for ongoing road maintenance and infrastructure projects across Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire and the M6 corridor. Specialist plant supplier Ammann was commissioned to install its Ammann ABP 240 Universal Asphalt-Mixing Plant which can produce 240 tonnes of asphalt an hour. It is hoped once at full capacity the plant will be capable of producing more than 250,000 tonnes a year. As well as the mixing plant and control room, the site has four bitumen tanks and a range of open and covered materials storage bays with a direct feed into the plant via conveyors. An on-site laboratory is under construction and will provide technical support and testing facilities for products. The new plant also has the ability to accommodate high volumes of RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) which can be reused into new products and supply of stone from the adjacent quarry will reduce lorry movements and carbon emissions. Importantly, the inbuilt systems and processes are highly energy efficient resulting in a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions when compared to a traditional asphalt plant, and the latest technology is in place to reduce noise, dust and odours. Thomas Edgcumbe, Managing Director for Aggregate Industries’ Surfacing Solutions division, said: “We’re really proud to be investing in this brand new facility to serve our customers with a range of base, binder and surface course products across Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. “It will be a real asset to the many projects in that region whether they be National Highways or local authority led. “The benefits of a new plant and state-of-the-art equipment are immediately evident and very much centred on reliability and efficiency. From surety of supply from our adjacent quarry, which also means less incoming deliveries, to reduced carbon emissions due to the technology utilised and the high volume of RAP we can accommodate going forward, it all adds up to a more efficient and effective operation which will benefit our customers. “We are also looking forward to being part of the wider community and have a number of projects we will be contributing towards to support local good causes.” The facility has completed its final testing and commissioning phase and is now fully open for business. For more information on Aggregate Industries visit: www.aggregate.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nine in 10 project managers working in the construction sector are confident the UK government will meet its 2050 net zero target, according to a new survey by the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession. But 70% highlighted concerns over the profession’s pipeline talent to sustain the delivery of net zero projects – adding to growing calls for urgent action to tackle the skills gap across the sector. It comes after new figures showed UK emissions fell 5.7% in 2023 to its lowest level since 1879, according to analysis based on preliminary government energy data by the website Carbon Brief. Its analysis showed emissions fell to 383 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) last year. Barring the general strike of 1926, emissions haven’t fallen below 400 million tonnes of CO2e since the Victorian era. It also means the UK is now more than halfway to net zero by 2050, despite the UK economy growing 82% in the past 33 years. It was also announced earlier this month that the Government has committed to support the building of new gas power stations to “maintain a safe and reliable energy source for days when the weather forecast doesn’t power up renewables”. A poll of 1,000 project management professionals, carried out by national research company Censuswide, found 93% of the construction sector respondents were confident overall that the UK government will achieve its 2050 net zero target that is enshrined in law. Some 29% were very confident and 64% were somewhat confident. The top reasons for their confidence were action being taken by their sector and UK Government measures/legislation – both chosen by 50% of respondents. In recent years, the Government has called on businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. Recommended action has included switching to low-emission lightbulbs, adjusting heating and cooling systems, installing smart meters, insulating buildings, and fleet electrification. In 2020, businesses accounted for 18% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the Government’s 2023 Net Zero Growth Plan aims to scale up technologies to decarbonise homes, power, industry and transport. But in September 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak controversially scaled back on green policies affecting electric vehicles and gas boilers, drawing criticism from the climate watchdog. Meanwhile, 70% do not believe there are enough project professionals in the talent pipeline to sustain the future delivery of net zero projects in the construction sector. Of these, 20% strongly agreed and 50% somewhat agreed with the statement. Another 14% neither agreed nor disagreed. Andrew Baldwin, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at APM, said: “With the UK striving to become a global leader in combating climate change, project managers working across the construction sector are playing a pivotal role in driving the transition to net zero. “As the experts on the frontline, they are embracing responsibilities ranging from strategic planning to resource management, addressing complex challenges such as stakeholder engagement and technology adoption, and leading the way towards a better sustainable future. “That’s why it’s very encouraging to learn from our latest survey that a significant majority – over 90% – of construction project managers believe the UK will achieve its flagship 2050 net zero target. “But our profession is not naïve. We know there is more to do, which is why ahead of the Spring Budget, APM calledon the Government to factor in greater clarity and commitment to levelling up and net zero projects. Certainty, consistency, and confidence are key to future investments in projects and project delivery. “And the warning about the talent shortage affecting the future delivery of net zero projects must not be ignored. As the only chartered membership organisation for the project profession, APM will continue to ensure our concerns are listened to and acted upon.” Case study: Jacobs Professional services firm Jacobs won the Sustainability Award at the recent APM Awards 2023 for its approach to embedding sustainability into every project. Jacobs provides professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector and places sustainability at the core of its operations. It achieves this by implementing its global sustainability approach, PlanBeyond® into client solutions, ensuring each project becomes a climate response opportunity. Will Masters, Sales Leadership for Sustainability at Jacobs, said: “Aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, PlanBeyond is Jacobs’ approach to integrating sustainability throughout our operations and our solutions, enabling us to help our clients plan beyond today for a more sustainable future for everyone. “Sustainability is foundational to who we are, how we operate and to the end-to-end solutions we co-create with our clients that support energy transition, decarbonization, adaptation and resilience, through to regenerative and nature-based climate solutions.” The Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 commits the UK government by law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels (net zero) by 2050. Businesses and project professionals seeking to improve the standards of their project management are encouraged to view APM’s project management qualifications which lead to Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) status. To learn more, visit APM’s qualifications and training page. APM will also be addressing issues affecting the project profession at its summer conference on 5-6 June including identifying future solutions to address skills shortages and data driven performance and AI. Visit apm.org.uk for details. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
