Low carbon construction IGT
An innovation and growth team (IGT) was established within the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) by Minister Mark Prisk MP on 17 September 2009 to answer the question; ‘Is the construction industry fit for purpose for the transition to a low carbon economy’, and to consider how it might become a world leader in this sector. This was partly in response to the commitment set out in the Climate Change Act to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050.
The review steering group was chaired by Paul Morrell, the then Chief Construction Adviser supported by; industry experts, the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Emerging Findings were published in March 2010, and the final report Low Carbon Construction was published in November 2010.
The final report suggested that whilst the construction industry in the UK was demonstrating some capacity and inclination to address the challenge of climate change and the economic opportunities that might exist, there were are number of barriers to reform.
The report suggested that; ‘There is a general and growing awareness of the challenge, but few businesses have an accurate understanding of the sheer scale of the undertaking ahead; and there is a level of disbelief about whether or when the difficult decisions that will lead to the necessary changes in customer behaviour will be made.’
The three main barriers were identified as:
- The need for a clear path setting out the transition to a low-carbon economy.
- The need for government and the industry to work together to develop this path.
- The need to incentivise uptake of commercial offers aimed at carbon reduction.
It was proposed that companies in the wider construction industry must:
- De-carbonise their businesses and their supply chain.
- Provide people with new and existing buildings that emit less carbon in their construction, operation and decommissioning.
- Provide infrastructure for the supply of clean energy and support sustainable practices in other areas of the economy.
A series of detailed recommendations to address these issues and the barriers to change was summarised in Annex A to the report, with the key recommendation seen to be stimulating demand.
A government response to the report Government response to the Low Carbon Construction Innovation & Growth Team Report was published in June 2011 setting out an action plan for the move to low-carbon construction, focussing on:
- The need for a transparent plan.
- The need to reform public procurement.
- The need to make the most of export opportunities.
- The need for a new level of cooperation between government and industry.
This action plan also proposed the creation of a joint government and industry board to take forward the programme, and as a result, the Green Construction Board (GCB) was established.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Carbon dioxide.
- Climate change Act.
- Earth overshoot day.
- Energy Act.
- Energy Performance Certificates.
- Energy Related Products Regulations.
- Energy targets.
- Government Construction Strategy.
- Green Construction Board.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
- Mean lean green.
- Routes to low carbon energy.
- Sustainability.
- Sustainable materials.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.