Over £1 million has been pledged by some of UK's leading construction firms to dramatically improve the sustainability of the built environment. They have formed the UK Green Building Council, with the aim of transforming the £90bn sector into a "sustainable industry with the next 10 years".
In the UK buildings are major consumers of energy, water and materials and have a significant effect on the environment and also on the health and productivity of their occupiers. They account for around 50% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with the production of materials accounting for a further 10%. Similarly, infrastructure construction and renewal have major environmental impacts and make significant demands on natural resources.
Speaking on the BBC Website Peter Rogers, the council's chairman said that the initiative hoped to change attitudes towards energy consumption. "We are still living in a horsepower economy. People like big cars, powerful things, lots of lights and devices in the house," he said.
The group, whose 36 members include Barratt Homes, Land Securities Group, Nationwide Building Society and WWF, has a combined annual turnover of more than £30bn.
The council was formally launched on Tuesday at Ecobuild, green building exhibition at Earl's Court, London
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