The importance of the construction industry is all around us; where we live and work, and how we move from one place to another. The construction sector is responsible for our homes, our hospitals, our schools, our roads, our water works, our railways and our places of work. Against this background construction has a key role to play in helping the Government meet its target of cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, especially considering that:
Construction uses around 6 tonnes of materials each year for every man, woman and child in the UK Construction and demolition produce more than 80 million tonnes of waste each year – 10% of which is unused in building materials 47% of UK carbon emissions are from buildings.
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is the largest trade association in the construction industry. Founded in 1941, the FMB has a membership of around 12,000 building firms. As the voice of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry, the FMB works closely with a number of government departments and agencies in pursuit of the common goal of a highly skilled, legitimate, sustainable and safe construction industry that the public can trust.
The FMB also recognizes the role construction can play in creating a more sustainable Britain and most importantly is committed to ensuring that government objectives for sustainability are practical.
The FMB believes there are four key drivers to bring about a low carbon built environment:
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The need to minimise waste across the industry
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The need to reduce carbon emissions from housing and other buildings through innovation in materials and process
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The need to create sustainable communities and a sustainable work force, and
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The need to give as much specific and practical advice as we can, directed to real design and site activity
The FMB is determined that our industry should stay ahead of the game by outlining policy recommendations to government and opinion formers to enable builders to play a full and constructive role in building the new greener Britain.
