Sustainability

Less than 1 per cent of social value created by construction firms comes via carbon reduction measures, figures shared with Construction News indicate. Data from construction software provider Compliance Chain shows that more than 98 per cent of the £6.8bn social value created through its frameworks comes from easy-to-achieve measures…

Greater use of technology in the construction sector could boost the UK economy by £417bn within two and a half decades, according to a study by Costain. The UK’s 16th biggest contractor found that extensive use of connected and autonomous plant (CAP) in the industry could bring £356bn worth of…

Construction firms operating in London will need to meet a new “tightening” of machinery emission rules, a plant equipment firm has warned. Rules around the emissions from generators and air compressors are changing in the coming months, which Aggreko says requires rapid change by contractors operating in the capital. From…

Construction firms have begun jostling for position to win the jobs to build two carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites that were backed by the prime minister last week. Balfour Beatty and Costain said they had the tools and skills to deliver the “mega” projects announced by the prime minister.…

A lack of training in heat pumps and other low-carbon heating systems is holding back progress on meeting net-zero targets, according to the Construction Leadership Council (CLC). Scaling up the construction industry’s ability to deliver retrofit low-carbon heat solutions in older buildings “continues to prove a challenge”, the CLC said…

The construction industry has moved closer towards meeting its net-zero ambitions but tough finances and a lack of data are holding back further progress, research has suggested. According to the latest biennial NBS Sustainable Futures Report, nine out of 10 respondents worked on projects with sustainable outcome targets, with almost…

Skanska has secured the contract to replace a nine-storey office block overlooking London’s River Thames, involving the reconstruction of the retained century-old facade. The Swedish contractor will design and build the 12,100 square metre flexible workspace for Baola Properties at 7 Millbank (pictured). The facade, which was built in 1913…

A high court judge has dismissed an attempt to halt groundworks at two HS2 sites in Warwickshire. The Environment Agency (EA) launched legal action last month against HS2, arguing that it had failed to ensure groundworks at the sites would not impact nearby groundwater. It sought an interim injunction, which…

The UK will struggle to radically improve the energy efficiency of its building stock due to a lack of “green collar” construction workers, according to Turner & Townsend.  A new report published by the consultant says in-demand green trades now command annual salaries of £134,000, with wages having soared by…

The Labour Party has promised to overhaul planning rules and fund infrastructure in a bid to revive the economy. In a 132-page manifesto published ahead of the 4 July general election, the Labour Party pledged to shred planning constraints for infrastructure and housing, adding that it would reform delivery of…