Bristol CE Club Annual Conference - Paul Morrell Keynote Address

Christos Vidalakis reports on the Keynote Address by Paul Morrell, Chief Construction Advisor

Paul Morrell began by highlighting the need for two way communication between industry and government.

In facilitating these discussions, the role of associations such as the Construction Clients Board, Department of Business Innovation and Skills, the Strategic Forum for Construction, Constructing Excellence and Construction Products Association is certainly important. However, there is a requirement for clear and effective communication; otherwise the industry runs the danger of turning into the Tower of Babel. Thus, the quality of communication is a key determinant of the success of any industry plan to address current challenges.

Paul identified the main challenges facing the industry at the moment as:

•  low carbon construction 
•  procurement

Carbon reduction, in particular, has created an immense opportunity for the whole industry.

To achieve this there is a need for a detailed plan which will facilitate change across the industry’s supply chains. Construction could look at approaches adopted in other industries such as the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (NAIGT), an initiative launched in April 2008 to address the innovation and growth challenges that the automotive industry faces.

The carbon footprint from construction is related to the following activities: Design - Product manufacturing - Transport - Site assembly - Use - Refurbish/demolish. Particular attention has to be paid to minimising carbon emissions in use, since improvements in this area have high potential and major impact.

The barriers to meeting the sustainability challenge were also identified as:

•  scepticism about low carbon
•  complexity of the sustainability issue
•  fragmentation
•  lack of data
•  lack of repetition/standardisation
•  lack of international competition

Addressing the sustainability challenge is having a massive effect on the construction industry, affecting many aspects of construction activity including, amongst others:

•  new homes
•  existing housing stock
•  sustainable energy sources
•  sustainable transport

It therefore also represents a massive opportunity for the whole supply chain. To successfully address the sustainability issue, clients need to raise the bar even higher whilst being assisted by first tier contractors acting as the supply chain integrators.

As a source of further information The UK Low carbon Transition Plan was suggested, a report which identifies construction as a key underpinning sector in achieving the required emission cuts , and plots how the UK will meet the 2020 emissions targets.

If you want more information on the Low Carbon Construction Innovation and Growth Team click here to visit the BIS website.