50% of construction project managers answered “too little” when asked if they felt if their company was doing too much, too little, or enough, to reach 2050 net zero targets
A new survey from the Association for Project Management (APM) shows the pessimistic outlook amongst construction project managers towards achieving the government’s 2050 net zero targets- with half believing that their company is not doing enough.
Under a quarter (23%) said their company was doing “enough” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and another 26% said “too much”. The question was not applicable for 1% of respondents.
APM surveyed over 900 project professionals working across UK sectors including construction in the poll, carried out by Censuswide.
Awareness of carbon reduction measures is widespread, but more is needed
74% of respondents said that their company does incorporate net zero carbon emissions planning into their projects.
The three most common ways were: including sustainability and environmental measures within project benefits; ensuring minimum carbon footprint across supply chain(s); querying/challenging efficiency of designs.
Other methods included using low carbon/sustainable materials, using new technologies, and reducing project-related travel.
Collaboration and coordination will be essential to achieve 2050 net zero targets
Professor Adam Boddison OBE, chief executive of APM, said: “Rising to the challenge of meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero target requires a huge amount of co-ordination, collaboration and championing, among much else.
“It is therefore slightly surprising to find that half of project managers working in construction think their company isn’t doing enough to support the UK’s signature net zero policy, whether that’s promoting the unique benefits of innovative new technologies, taking a tough stance throughout the design stage, or being firm enough on supply chain partners who fall below acceptable standards.
“Project professionals are value-driven and cherish the wider social, economic and environmental aims and benefits of their projects. Whenever a mismatch involving core values arises, we support and encourage our members to speak with their employer to identify suitable opportunities to help enhance and reshape their company’s sustainability strategy and activities.”
The news comes after recent outcry against the prime minister’s seemingly counterintuitive plans to scale back multiple green policies whilst remaining committed to the 2050 net zero target.
