CIOB signs up to Green Skills At Cop campaign
The world’s leading professional body for construction management and leadership has pledged its signature to the #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign.
Kickstarted by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, the campaign calls for green skills to be integrated into national action plans for biodiversity and climate change.
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has joined the cause ahead of November’s Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, to highlight the significant lack of green skills within the construction industry.
Amanda Williams, head of environmental sustainability at CIOB, said: “Addressing the significant green skills gap will be essential in creating a more sustainable built environment.
“By joining the #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign, we hope to encourage the Government to give proper focus to the issues the industry is facing and to put measures in place to address the deficit.”
CIOB estimates around 500,000 additional workers in skilled trades are required in the UK alone to bring the national housing stock up to a minimum emergency efficiency standard of EPC C by 2030.
The organisation has continually called for a green construction skills fund to be introduced which could fund a pipeline of workers who are trained in things like retrofit coordination, heat pump installation and sustainable modern methods of construction (MMC).
It could also cover specialist roles such as ecologists which are required for projects to fulfil requirements from recently introduced legislation on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
Meanwhile, Skills England, the newly formed body created to address skills shortages and economic growth, said in its September report that green-skilled workers would be vital in delivering the country’s Net Zero targets.
Amanda continued: “We were encouraged to see Skills England recently acknowledge the importance of ensuring there is a healthy supply of workers with green skillsets.
“CIOB will continue to work closely with Skills England to understand the links between crucial industries, particularly construction, and the future emphasis of a workforce with skills for the climate transition.”
CIOB will attend this year’s COP29 conference and will continue to highlight the skills issue with policymakers and other industry stakeholders.
Amanda concluded: “We know the built environment is responsible for almost 40 per cent of energy-related CO2 emissions, and addressing this has the potential to accelerate the transition to a net zero future.
“We must ensure the built environment is at the front and centre of the discussion so global leaders recognise the importance of engagement with our industry.”
For more information on the #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign, visit: www.greenskillsatcop.iema.net
We must ensure the built environment is at the front and centre of the discussion so global leaders recognise the importance of engagement with our industry.
Amanda Williams, Head of Environmental Sustainability
This article appears on the CIOB news and blogsite as "CIOB signs up to '#GreenSkillsAtCop campaign' dated 16 October, 2024.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Achieving net zero in social housing.
- Actuate UK issues climate warning and urges action.
- Aligning net zero with the levelling-up agenda.
- A zero-carbon UK by 2050?
- Carbon neutral.
- CIOB announces sustainability champion Saul Humphrey as vice president for 2024 2025.
- CIOB articles.
- CIOB Podcast: 21st Century Construction.
- Climate Change Act.
- Construction skills crisis threatens UK net zero goals.
- ECA calls on London Mayor to prioritise green electrical skills in the capital.
- ECA research cited in Welsh Government consultation on Net Zero Sector Skills.
- England, Wales, electrical skills, training and net zero in 2023.
- Future of Green Skills in Sussex.
- Guide to sustainability in the built environment.
- Making Mission Possible: report on achieving a zero-carbon economy by 2030.
- Net zero building higher education and the skills of the future.
- Net zero by 2050.
- Net Zero not possible without right skills.
- Net zero strategy: build back greener.
- Retrofit experts highlight critical actions Scottish Government must take to reach net-zero targets..
- Skills in the construction industry.
- Skilled workforce unable to meet net zero ambitions.
- Skills shortage.
- Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction says CIOB President.
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.