Industry requires unprecedented collaboration on green agenda
With the outcome of the UK's referendum to leave the European Union, the UK Green Building Council is calling for businesses and industries to continue to address climate change and other sustainability challenges / opportunities.
Julie Hirigoyen, CEO of the UK Green Building Council, said:
“Brexit is already sending shockwaves through the construction and property sector, the scale of which won’t be clear for some time. It will be a tough trading climate, that will impact companies both large and small".
"Both economic and political uncertainty will have some people asking whether the green agenda needs to be deprioritised while businesses goes into firefighting mode. This must and need not happen".
"The incentives remain strong for business to address climate change and other urgent sustainability challenges. Arguably now more than ever we need to minimise future risk, reduce costs, add value for clients, generate new commercial opportunities and ensure we have the best people working as productively as possible. A sustainable built environment is fundamental to these objectives.
"UK-GBC will redouble its support of the industry, make the business case for sustainability, and explore more deeply the commercial drivers for sustainability. We will encourage an unprecedented collaboration between progressive businesses, green groups and other trade bodies. We will take the argument to Government that a low carbon, sustainable built environment is good for UK Plc, and that this requires a clear and consistent policy landscape - in or out of the EU.”