The UK Green Building Council today called for a 50% cut in carbon emissions from the built environment by 2020.
Speaking at the UKGBC’s annual conference, taking place in London, chief executive Paul King called on the construction industry to recognise its own role in reducing carbon emissions.
“We drastically need to cut emissions from all sectors, but the built environment offers the best cost-effective opportunity to do that,” said King.
“We have the technology and the know-how in the industry, but we haven’t managed to mainstream these yet.”
King said that attempting to cut carbon emissions in half would create thousands of new jobs which would help boost the financial recovery on the UK and help the government deliver on its carbon commitments.
Daniel Labbad, CEO of the European branch of Lend Lease
According to the UKGBC, buildings are responsible for 44% of the UK’s CO2 emissions.
King’s call won support from developer Lend Lease and contractor Balfour Beatty, which described the UKGBC’s statement as an ambitious call to action.
Daniel Labbad, CEO of the European branch of Lend Lease, said that a 50% reduction was an ambitious target but that the construction sector needed to take responsibility for making emission reduction cost effective.
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