Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment included in the Construction Playbook

The refreshed UK Government Construction Playbook published this week includes the CSIC-hosted Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment.

The update to the Construction Playbook, which sets out key policies and guidance for how public works projects and programmes are assessed, procured and delivered, was published on 5 September. Chapter three brings focus to ‘Early Engagement and Clear Specifications – engaging early with the supply chain and developing clear, appropriate outcome-based specifications are critical factors in achieving timely and cost-effective delivery’ and includes a ‘Want to know more?’ box on page 32 that lists recommended resources, including a link to the Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment which is hosted by CSIC and is part of the Construction Leadership Council’s Construct Zero initiative.

We are delighted that the Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment has been included in the Construction Playbook, which supports better outcomes from projects. Collaboration is key to success and carbon reduction is more likely to happen when all organisations within a value chain are committed to reducing their footprint and saving costs. Dee Dee Frawley, CSIC Programme Manager

Dee Dee Frawley, Programme Manager at CSIC said: “We are delighted that the Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment has been included in the Construction Playbook, which supports better outcomes from projects. Collaboration is key to success and carbon reduction is more likely to happen when all organisations within a value chain are committed to reducing their footprint and saving costs. The Code provides a mechanism that enables individual organisations to publicise their annual progress, and thereby collaborate and share best practice on their journey to Net Zero with the intention of accelerating progress across the industry.”

The Carbon Code, which was drafted by the CSIC Achieving Net Zero Cross-Industry Working Group in 2020 and first issued in 2021, is a commitment scheme designed to facilitate action and collaboration in the built environment towards reducing carbon emissions (CO2eq) related to design, construction, maintenance, operation and decommissioning of built assets. Creating a community of built environment organisations to support each other will help everyone to reach the destination of net zero. 

In order to provide support and guidance for organisations navigating their way to demonstrating compliance with the Carbon Code, the Supply Chain Sustainability School, in collaboration with CSIC, has mapped some of essential materials and resources related to the Code commitments. The Supply Chain Sustainability School is an award-winning industry wide collaboration, led by partners and members, with a shared vision to be a world class collaboration to enable a sustainable built environment. Explore the map of materials here: https://lnkd.in/eGNn6a5p

Additional guidance can be found on the Carbon Code pages of the CSIC website or contact carboncode-enquiries@eng.cam.ac.uk with any questions.