The NBS have published a report investigating sustainability in construction projects, and finding that only around 40% of construction projects achieve their sustainability goals
The NBS sustainability report found that around 4 in 10 projects achieved sustainability goals, with fewer people reporting those targets being achieved than in 2014.
The report gauged what issues are getting in the way of meeting these targets, with cost being the most cited.
The NBS sustainability report shows motivation
The ‘Sustainable Futures’ report was aimed at understanding attitudes towards sustainability and protocols within the construction sector.
It highlights that the industry is generally motivated to achieve sustainability targets, but are hampered by barriers that are often difficult or sometimes impossible to overcome.
They study surveyed 600 people within the built environment, and found that numbers of people reporting the achievement of sustainability targets had dropped compared to the 2014 report.
Of those surveyed, 90% indicated that they had worked on at least some projects that had sustainability goals, while 48% said that their projects had sustainability goals ‘most of the time.’
Just 16%, however, said that all of their projects had sustainability goals.
Barriers to achieving targets must be addressed
The study found that main barrier to achieving sustainability targets was cost, with 63% of those surveyed citing it. This was closely followed by lack of client demand at 50%.
Other concerns in the NBS sustainability report include 41% of respondents saying that sustainable products are being “value engineered out”, meaning there are concerns around value for money, 36% said that lack of Government policy and regulation is an issue as well.
Dr Lee Jones, head of sustainability at Hubexo, said: “Climate change is a global issue of utmost importance, and construction has a major role to play. With COP29 underway, it’s important to get a real understanding of how seriously sustainability is being taken within construction. Our research has identified the most common perceived barriers to progress, but arguably the largest barrier is our industry as a whole. It’s down to all of us to implement the solutions.
“At Hubexo, digital solutions are our speciality – the findings from this report are extensive and will help us tailor our NBS content to improve knowledge and education around sustainability in the coming months.”
