Sustainability

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…

The Green Party has said demolition work should require a full planning application, unless already included in a local development order. In its 46-page manifesto released on Wednesday (12 June), the party said it would tighten the rules around demolition if it enters government after the general election on 4…

Tier one contractor Balfour Beatty has pushed back its target dates for achieving net-zero carbon operations. The UK’'s biggest contractor has said it now hopes to negate scope 1 and 2 emissions – those coming direct from its activities and indirectly through its power use – by 2045. This is…

Delay in implementing changes to the infrastructure system has hit the UK’s net-zero ambitions, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has said. In its latest annual review, published this week, the commission warned that the sluggish UK roll-out of heat-pumps – caused by increased uncertainty around the system – was holding…