Levelling up secretary Simon Clarke MP has been sent a letter from the built environment sector calling for a cross-industry sustainable building taskforce
Eleven major players across the built environment sector in the UK have signed a letter to Levelling up secretary Simon Clarke, calling for a cross-industry sustainable building taskforce to ensure buildings are fit for the future.
AXA UK, Arcadis and Kennedys are amongst the 11 businesses calling for a sustainable building taskforce to consolidate a long-term, integrated approach to housing and building policy.
They argue this would better reflect the built environment’s potential to drive positive outcomes for consumers and the wider economy.
Time to put sustainability, longevity, safety and resilience at the heart of policy
The letter warns that without significant reform across building regulations and policy, the government risks subjecting people across the country to a host of economic and social costs associated with poorly designed, insufficiently regulated, and ageing buildings.
These include higher-than-average energy bills, lower home resale value, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events.
The construction industry has expressed their commitment to building and regenerating more sustainably, whilst the business community looks to redefine the modern workplace post-COVID, both of which will benefit from a greater focus on sustainability in housing and building policy.
As the energy crisis hits homes and the government looks set to fail on reaching affordable housing targets, especially for senior residents, the need for a cross-industry sustainable building taskforce is more pressing than ever.
More comprehensive and long-term approaches are needed
The letter posits that the UK has a unique opportunity to reform its traditional, short-term approach to housing and building policy and embrace a longer-term view – one where quantity is not prioritised at the expense of quality.
Industry experts call upon decision-makers in the letter to adopt a wider, more holistic approach, which takes a view over decades, not just years.
The built environment can play a significant role in mitigating the issues of affordability and energy efficiency with the right kind of government support.
The letter follows AXA UK’s Sustainable Buildings report which outlines further recommendations
The recommendations address a range of issues, including the affordability of sustainable homes, the role of data and technology in creating more efficient buildings, workforce and consumer education, as well as the future of building regulation.
Other topics covered include driving further sustainability in the built environment and building support for the nation’s resilience to emerging risks.
Claudio Gienal, CEO of AXA UK&I, commented:
“The built environment plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s energy security and building resilience to emerging risks such as flooding and extreme weather.
“Unfortunately, regulation is yet to catch up with the crucial need to make what we build today fit for the evolving requirements of future generations.
“That’s why we are calling on the Government to create a sustainable buildings taskforce to bring together all those involved in the development of the UK’s building stock and help communities reap the benefits of a well-planned, energy efficient, and more resilient building landscape.”
