Why

sustainable building consultants
Because:

Above all, to do nothing is to put your business or organisation at risk.

“tackling carbon exposure is more than good environmental stewardship, it could also protect a Company’s share price in the short term and create long term competetive advantage” - Mc Kinsey 2004

The drivers for change are inumerable and complex and comprise carrotts and sticks profferred and wielded at local, regional, national and international level. The following is a very brief list of the vast array of  the means by which sustainability is and will continue to be forced to the top of the boardroom agenda

Legislative
  • UK Government targets for Co2 reduction are set as being 20% by 2010, 30% by 2020 and 60% by 2050 with the 2020 and 2050 targets being legally enforcable as per the terms of The Climate Change Bill.   This will force all business and individuals to effect these reductions.
  • The EPBD (European Performance of Buildings Directive), requires EPC’s (Energy Performance Certificates) to be introduced and UK enabling legislation has set the following timetable:

6/4/08 EPC’s required for a all new dwellings and all non dwellings with in excess of 10,000 m2, for sale or rent

1/7/08 EPC’s requirred for the construction sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500 m2

1/10/08 EPC’s requirred for the construction sale or rent of all remaining buildings and dwellings. Display Energy Certificates (DEC’s) required for all public buildings in excess of 1,000 m2

  • Water: the Water Framework Directive; the Water Bill; the imminent Water Strategy; plus coverage under IPPC;
  • Waste: The Landfill Tax; the WEEE Directive; Waste Strategy for England 2007 + supporting Consultation on Incentives for Recycling by Households;
  • Energy: Climate Change Levy; Emissions Trading; the Stern Review; the Energy White Paper;
  • Property: DDA; Building Regs Part I; EPBD; Code for Sustainable Homes: Home Information Packs (HIPs), including Energy Performance Certificates.
 
Social & Corporate Governance:
  • Business: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); indices and initiatives for Responsible Business (FTSE4Good, DJSI, GRI, ETI, BITC): the short-lived OFR; the Companies Act; the National Minimum Wage; Working Time Directive; Human Rights; Health & Safety;
  • Consumers: Fairtrade; Organic certification; FSC, MSC, food miles; carbon footprints; Vehicle Excise Duty & the Congestion Charge
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