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Month: October 2021

Top stories

 

Five-year £1bn investment to put people at the heart of North Lanarkshire communities

Towns and communities in North Lanarkshire will benefit from £1.243 billion investment over the next five years to transform them into vibrant, thriving, sustainable places, the local authority has revealed.

Read more >>

Plans submitted for £33.8m leisure-led development in Perthshire

A planning application for a new £33.8 million leisure-led development at West Kinfauns has been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.

Read more >>

BE@COP26

During COP26 Construction Scotland Innovation Centre will be an exciting hub of inspiration, learning and action for the built environment to accelerate to net zero. Over two weeks the Innovation Factory near Glasgow will be home to a host of innovative exhibits plus a range of events and experiences

Read more >>

 

November’s Featured Topic: Climate Change & Carbon

Climate change is the biggest issue of our times and the built environment is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions. Reduction in carbon emissions have to occur if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

We have a wealth of resources to help you gain a better understanding of Climate Change and Carbon – take a look:

Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon Footprinting Learning Pathway

This self-enrol learning pathway will provide you with not only the understanding of climate change, carbon emissions and how to identify were they occur, but also the skills to make reduction plans to tackle them and report on your progress to your stakeholders – clients, regulators and colleagues.

Enrol here >>

Decarbonising Construction: Building A New Net Zero Industry

This report from the National Engineering Policy Centre and the Royal Academy of Engineering focuses on four interconnected missions that cut across the whole of the construction sector that require urgent attention to achieve net zero.

Find out more >>

Carbon Reduction, Offsetting And Net Zero

In this E-Learning module we explore carbon reduction strategies including carbon offsets and Net Zero. This is the final part in a series of 4 modules on measuring and reducing your carbon impact.

Find out more >>

 

Recommended for Scotland

Low Carbon Regeneration – Business Bytes

5 November 930h-1100h

A 90-minute Business Bytes session to discuss low carbon solutions used in major urban regeneration projects – particularly in Glasgow. We are joined by Clyde Gateway to give an update on this major regeneration programme, and Scottish Water who will present their District Heating Networks providing heat from wastewater.

This course will be delivered virtually online. See the ‘what is the course about?’ section in course details for more information. REGISTER NOW >>

 

COP26 Training Pack

To enable our industry to use the inspiration from COP26 and take direct action to increase understanding, skills and performance on carbon reduction and related issues, we are pleased to provide our Members with a COP26 Training Pack, giving you direct links to free resources and training sessions designed to help your organisation and supply chain gain a better understanding of climate change and carbon. NB – please refer to our School Events listing for upcoming training activity on carbon and climate change.

TAKE A LOOK >>

Action Sustainability, the delivery partner behind the Supply Chain Sustainability School, has been recognised for its approach to workplace engagement with a sought-after industry standard.

We have been certified by Best Companies and recognised for our commitment to employees, with a ‘One to Watch’ status, which represents ‘good’ levels of engagement. Achieving a Ones to Watch status takes a BCI score of at least 600 – we are happy to have achieved well above this score, with a 96% employee completion rate.

Ian Heptonstall, Director and Co-Owner of Action Sustainability, said: “I am extremely proud that our employee engagement strategy has been recognised with a One to Watch Best Companies accreditation. I hope our recognition speaks volumes not just for what a great place to work Action Sustainability is, but also for what an inspiring sector Sustainability is. But we recognise that this is a work in progress, and we will continue our efforts to be an even better employer.”

Shaun McCarthy OBE, Director and Co-Owner of Action Sustainability, said: “Ian and I are committed to ensuring our company is the best it can be, including empowering our team to share their ideas and feedback, so that meaningful change is made.”

Jonathan Austin, Founder and CEO of Best Companies, said: “Congratulations to Action Sustainability on this significant achievement of a ‘One to Watch’ status. This award recognises that they understand the importance of workplace engagement and genuinely value their people.”

Best Companies has over 20 years’ experience in helping organisations measure and improve employee engagement using a robust methodology, with their accreditation standard certifying excellence in the workplace since 2006.

New DfMA Overlay video content released 

To bring the concepts and case studies in the new DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work to life, we brought together leading minds from the world of DfMA in a series of 10 short films. These accessible, easily digestible videos will be published weekly on our social media and YouTube channels, and cover topics from Procurement to Digital. The first two shorts are now available online – see resource links below – so check them out and spread the word!

Upcoming training sessions…

  • The New RIBA Plan of Work DfMA Overlay – Lunch ‘n’ Learn, Thursday, 11 November, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Register now
  • Offsite for Quantity Surveyors and Cost Consultants Workshop, Thurs 25 November, 9:00 – 12:00. Register now
  • Offsite and MMC Procurement – Lunch ‘n’ Learn, Tuesday, 30 November, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Register now

Digitisation is crucial to the success of Offsite construction and MMC. Check out these sessions to skill up, and make sure you check ‘Digital’ as an interest topic in your personal dashboard settings if you’d like to learn more.

  • How to be a Digital Leader, Friday, 12 November, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Register now
  • Demystifying BIM – Lunch ‘n’ Learn, Wednesday, 24 November, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Register now

Resources recommended for you this month…

NEW: DfMA – Why now? Find out more

NEW: The MMC Categories. Find out more

If you don’t measure, you can’t manage

Complete our free self assessment to get your bespoke action plan today. The list of resources will advise you where you should focus your learning with direct links to top-quality materials.

You can also benchmark your company’s offsite maturity here.

Top stories

Net zero announcement: UK sets out plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions

Another big push towards electric vehicles is being made in the UK government’s latest strategy to make the great shift to a virtually zero-carbon economy.

Find out more >>

Three-quarters of UK SMEs without credible plans to reduce emissions

UK-based small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) will need far more support to decarbonise, otherwise the nation risk missing its net-zero target, a new survey has revealed.

Read more >>

JCB targets first hydrogen diggers by end of 2022

The UK plant giant is investing £100m on its project to produce super-efficient hydrogen engines with a team of 100 engineers working on developing the new engines.

Take a look >>

 

November’s Featured Topic: Climate Change & Carbon

Climate change is the biggest issue of our times and the built environment is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions. Reduction in carbon emissions have to occur if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

We have a wealth of resources to help you gain a better understanding of Climate Change and Carbon – take a look:

Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon Footprinting Learning Pathway

This self-enrol learning pathway will provide you with not only the understanding of climate change, carbon emissions and how to identify were they occur, but also the skills to make reduction plans to tackle them and report on your progress to your stakeholders – clients, regulators and colleagues.

Enrol here >>

Decarbonising Construction: Building A New Net Zero Industry

This report from the National Engineering Policy Centre and the Royal Academy of Engineering focuses on four interconnected missions that cut across the whole of the construction sector that require urgent attention to achieve net zero.

Find out more >>

Climate Policy Tracker For Business

This tracker from the We Mean Business coalition provides businesses with up-to-date information on climate regulation; enabling you to build a comprehensive picture of the policies that are directly impacting your operations and value chains.

Get started >>

 

Get ready for COP26 with our Training Pack

To prepare our industry to take action in the year of COP26, we are pleased to provide our Members with a COP26 Training Pack, giving you direct links to free resources and training sessions designed to help your organisation and supply chain gain a better understanding of climate change and carbon.

TAKE A LOOK >>

Top stories

Households offered £5,000 grants to swap boilers for heat pumps

Grants of £5,000 will be available to households to replace their gas boiler with a low carbon heat pump as part of efforts to cut emissions from homes.

Find out more >>

UK Government unveils its long-awaited plans for transitioning heat and buildings to net-zero

The Heat and Buildings Strategy outlines the Government’s approach for decarbonising the sector, featuring headline commitments to bring the upfront and operational cost of heat pumps for homes to price parity with gas boilers by 2030. This will lay the foundations for all new domestic home heating systems installed from 2035 to be fossil-fuel-free.

Read more >>

NHBC Foundation launches key advice on Electric Vehicles

The NHBC Foundation has launched a new report advising housebuilders on what they should consider on all new schemes to accommodate electric vehicles (EV’s) as the UK aims for net zero greenhouse gas emissions. 

Take a look >>

 

November’s Featured Topic: Climate Change & Carbon

Climate change is the biggest issue of our times and the built environment, including the housebuilding sector, is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions. Reduction in carbon emissions have to occur if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

We have a wealth of resources to help you gain a better understanding of Climate Change and Carbon – take a look:

Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon Footprinting Learning Pathway

This self-enrol learning pathway will provide you with not only the understanding of climate change, carbon emissions and how to identify were they occur, but also the skills to make reduction plans to tackle them and report on your progress to your stakeholders – clients, regulators and colleagues.

Enrol here >>

Decarbonising Construction: Building A New Net Zero Industry

This report from the National Engineering Policy Centre and the Royal Academy of Engineering focuses on four interconnected missions that cut across the whole of the construction sector that require urgent attention to achieve net zero.

Find out more >>

Climate Policy Tracker For Business

This tracker from the We Mean Business coalition provides businesses with up-to-date information on climate regulation; enabling you to build a comprehensive picture of the policies that are directly impacting your operations and value chains.

Get started >>

 

Get ready for COP26 with our Training Pack

To prepare our industry to take action in the year of COP26, we are pleased to provide our Members with a COP26 Training Pack, giving you direct links to free resources and training sessions designed to help your organisation and supply chain gain a better understanding of climate change and carbon.

TAKE A LOOK >>

Top stories

Launch of the Welsh Procurement Policy Note WPPN 09/21: Sourcing Sustainable materials for construction projects in Wales

WPPN 09/21 provides advice to public sector bodies in Wales on how to manage market pressures affecting the availability and affordability of building materials.

Find out more >>

Wales & West Utilities Supports Decarbonisation Cluster in North Wales

School Partner Wales & West Utilities is supporting the HyNet low carbon cluster project in its bid to unlock a low carbon economy in North West England and North Wales and is urging the UK Government to award it ‘Track 1’ status later this month.

Learn more >>

Why Addressing The Need For Green Skills in Wales is Imperative

Wyn Prichard, Chair of the Supply Chain Sustainability School in Wales discusses the Skills Council with Business Wales . Wyn explains how we must make sure that we keep the improvement in this area over the next few years and not let sustainability slip down the order of priorities.

Read more >>

November’s Featured Topic: Climate Change & Carbon

Climate change is the biggest issue of our times and the built environment is one of the major contributors to carbon emission. Reduction in carbon emissions have to occur if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

We have a wealth of resources to help you gain a better understanding of Climate Change and Carbon – take a look:

Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon Footprinting Learning Pathway

This self-enrol learning pathway will provide you with not only the understanding of climate change, carbon emissions and how to identify were they occur, but also the skills to make reduction plans to tackle them and report on your progress to your stakeholders – clients, regulators and colleagues.

Enrol here >>

Decarbonising Construction: Building A New Net Zero Industry

This report from the National Engineering Policy Centre and the Royal Academy of Engineering focuses on four interconnected missions that cut across the whole of the construction sector that require urgent attention to achieve net zero.

Find out more >>

Climate Policy Tracker For Business

This tracker from the We Mean Business coalition provides businesses with up-to-date information on climate regulation; enabling you to build a comprehensive picture of the policies that are directly impacting your operations and value chains.

Get started >>

National Social Value Conference Wales

This National Social Value Conference is back this November (16th – 17th). This year’s theme will be “Leading the Movement”, encouraging businesses and communities across Wales to lead the way in the delivery of Social Value in Wales. Hear from David Emery, Sector Manager of the Supply Chain Sustainability School in Wales at the conference.

To find out more and to register click here.

Top stories

Workplace Sensors Reveal Geographical Trends For Office Visits

The latest office occupancy data from workplace technology company Freespace has revealed obvious geographical differences for preferred days of the week to visit the office.

Find out more >>

Green Building Council Publishes Guidance for LA’s On New Commercial Buildings

New guidelines have been published by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) to help local authorities drive up the sustainability of new commercial buildings.

Read more >>

New IFMA Research Advisory Committee Focuses On The Future Of FM

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has created a new Research Advisory Committee to help reshape the built environment through a future-oriented research agenda.

Learn more >>

November’s Featured Topic: Climate Change & Carbon

Climate change is the biggest issue of our times and the built environment is one of the major contributors to carbon emission. Reduction in carbon emissions have to occur if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

We have a wealth of resources to help you gain a better understanding of Climate Change and Carbon – take a look:

Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon Footprinting Learning Pathway

This self-enrol learning pathway will provide you with not only the understanding of climate change, carbon emissions and how to identify were they occur, but also the skills to make reduction plans to tackle them and report on your progress to your stakeholders – clients, regulators and colleagues.

Enrol here >>

Decarbonising Construction: Building A New Net Zero Industry

This report from the National Engineering Policy Centre and the Royal Academy of Engineering focuses on four interconnected missions that cut across the whole of the construction sector that require urgent attention to achieve net zero.

Find out more >>

Climate Policy Tracker For Business

This tracker from the We Mean Business coalition provides businesses with up-to-date information on climate regulation; enabling you to build a comprehensive picture of the policies that are directly impacting your operations and value chains.

Get started >>

Measuring & Managing Carbon Lunch ‘n’ Learn

This Lunch ‘n’ Learn will provide you with the knowledge and tools to help you to address the issue of measuring, reporting and managing greenhouse gas emissions. This introductory session will focus on the principles of carbon reporting within your organisation and supply chain.

Collecting and reporting sustainability data is becoming increasingly common, as organisations and their clients seek to quantify, reduce and effectively communicate their impact on climate change.

This session – run by Charles Naud, product manager of Action Sustainability’s reporting system Sustainability Tool– will explore a key framework behind measuring carbon emissions and how to effectively manage performance within your organisation and supply chain.

EVENT DETAILS:

  • DATE: 8th November 2021
  • TIME: 12:00pm -13:00pm
  • LOCATION: Online
Register for FREE now >>

Top stories

Climate Change Warning from the Environment Agency

Hundreds of people could die in floods in the UK, the Environment Agency has warned in a hard-hitting report that says the country is not ready for the impact of climate change.

Find out more >>

Urgent Government Action needed on HS2’s Euston Station and Northern Route

A lack of clarity on the northern section of HS2 and its London terminus at Euston could be putting the entire £100bn scheme at risk, watchdog MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have warned.

Read more >>

UK Sets Out  650bn Infrastructure Pipeline

Up to £650 billion of public and private sector money could be spent on UK priority infrastructure projects over the next 10 years, according to plans published by the government.

Learn more >>

November’s Featured Topic: Climate Change & Carbon

Climate change is the biggest issue of our times and the built environment is one of the major contributors to carbon emission. Reduction in carbon emissions have to occur if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

We have a wealth of resources to help you gain a better understanding of Climate Change and Carbon – take a look:

Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon Footprinting Learning Pathway

This self-enrol learning pathway will provide you with not only the understanding of climate change, carbon emissions and how to identify were they occur, but also the skills to make reduction plans to tackle them and report on your progress to your stakeholders – clients, regulators and colleagues.

Enrol here >>

Decarbonising Construction: Building A New Net Zero Industry

This report from the National Engineering Policy Centre and the Royal Academy of Engineering focuses on four interconnected missions that cut across the whole of the construction sector that require urgent attention to achieve net zero.

Find out more >>

Climate Policy Tracker For Business

This tracker from the We Mean Business coalition provides businesses with up-to-date information on climate regulation; enabling you to build a comprehensive picture of the policies that are directly impacting your operations and value chains.

Get started >>

Measuring & Managing Carbon Lunch ‘n’ Learn

This Lunch ‘n’ Learn will provide you with the knowledge and tools to help you to address the issue of measuring, reporting and managing greenhouse gas emissions. This introductory session will focus on the principles of carbon reporting within your organisation and supply chain.

Collecting and reporting sustainability data is becoming increasingly common, as organisations and their clients seek to quantify, reduce and effectively communicate their impact on climate change.

This session – run by Charles Naud, product manager of Action Sustainability’s reporting system Sustainability Tool– will explore a key framework behind measuring carbon emissions and how to effectively manage performance within your organisation and supply chain.

EVENT DETAILS:

  • DATE: 8th November 2021
  • TIME: 12:00pm -13:00pm
  • LOCATION: Online
Register for FREE now >>

Carbon

The School’s Climate Action Group released its updated Carbon Calculator in August 2021. Still free to access online, it has been upgraded, taking on board feedback from the Group. It is now easier to use and has been adapted so that organisations with different levels of experience in carbon reporting can participate, report their data and allocate it to their clients.

We now have 75 registered Partners and 430 registered suppliers in the system, and this is only increasing. Partners are actively looking to their supply chains to get involved. As a member of the School you may well have had a request already.

We are continuing to run webinar sessions for members and Partners to find out more about how the Calculator works. The next sessions, all at 3 – 4pm, are on Weds, 27th Oct., Weds, 24th Nov., and Weds, 15th Dec., 3 – 4pm

More widely the School is running a series of training and webinar sessions in and around COP26. Information on this is available here.

If you want to know more about the Climate Action Group or the Carbon Calculator, contact [email protected]

 

“Our greatest asset is our People”

How HW Martin (Traffic Management) are using the People Matter Charter to evidence their commitment to their employees and supply chain partners.

Since establishment in February 1988, H W Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd has developed into one of the largest traffic management providers in the country. Their mission is to be a safe, customer-focused traffic management partner of choice for their clients, whilst being a primary embedding mechanism for an inclusive and sustainable sector. Their experts deliver data-led, traffic management services within a temporary environment. Put simply, they guide vehicles around roadworks in the safest, most efficient way possible, delivering excellence in operation for their clients.

HW Martin (Traffic Management) pride themselves on their dependable, agile, and progressive approach that has seen them continuously fulfil their commitments to clients for the past 33-years. They are inspired to improve the experience of everyone who travels or works on both the Strategic and Local Authority Road Network.

HW Martin (Traffic Management) and the People Matter Charter

HW Martin (Traffic Management) first became aware of the People Matter Charter during one of The School’s Fairness, Inclusion and Respect webinars. James Hunt (Sustainability Manager) is a proud FIR Ambassador and the principles of the Charter resonated with his own beliefs on how an organisation should treat it’s greatest asset, it’s people.

“Signing the Charter confirmed our existing commitment to our employees and supply chain partners.”

 

Commitment focus

HW Martin (Traffic Management) have chosen to focus on Intent 1, EDI (although they prefer FIR!). They have been promoting FIR in the work they do since 2016 with their approach and priorities evolving over time.

The Covid-19 pandemic; increased awareness of mental health issues; Black Lives Matter movement and the abhorrent abuse aimed at people over social media have drawn major attention to inequalities in our society and have raised questions about the effectiveness of plans and approaches to promote equality, diversity & inclusion.

As part of their Partner status with the School they have arranged for a “Becoming a FIR Ambassador” training session to be run, and they have invited colleagues and supply chain partners to this to further raise awareness. They are also in the process of creating bespoke Learning Pathways for internal colleagues which will incorporate FIR resources and CPD accredited e-learning.

Implementing the People Matter Charter within workforce strategy

In order to promote awareness and tackle under representation in their businesses, HW Martin (Traffic Management) believes that there is more to do to build understanding of, and engage with, structures of exclusion. Having have just produced their first FIR Report, they are also developing a Positive Action Plan to raise awareness internally of the topics raised.

They are looking at advertising, recruitment strategies and their general communications to identify how they can be more accessible to minority groups amongst other activities. The report also challenges some common misunderstandings relating to FIR.

“We want to develop is an environment that promotes equitability, equality and accessibility for all – this is simply about creating a level playing field.”


Should others sign the charter?

HW Martin (Traffic Management) believe that the Charter will ensure that an organisation focusses on their people – both directly employed and within the supply chain. They believe that having an effective and inclusive workforce strategy is essential to attracting and retaining people, especially considering the skills shortages in the construction industry. Signing up to the Charter will go a long way to ensuring that the welfare of employees and supply chain partners are prioritised, promoting that culture will provide the base for a sustainable sector.

“Using the Eight Commitments you can create a strategy to focus on specific areas for improvement whilst ensuring you celebrate and formalise the great work that is already happening within the organisation.”

 

Learn more about HW Martin (Traffic Management) here.
Learn more about HW Martin (Traffic Management)’s Partnership with the School here.

We are pleased to announce that Biffa has become the latest Partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School

Having been a member since 2014, Biffa has taken the next step and joined the School as a Partner and to collaborate with their colleagues and drive sustainability across the built environment supply chain.

The School is delighted to welcome Biffa on board and look forward to working with them.

Our Partner organisations are committed to building sustainability skills and knowledge across the industry. This will help us to safeguard the future of the UK’s built environment and ensure that it is fairer, greener, and more robust.

The School is committed to working alongside our Partners to support us all in our objective to “build back better”.

Find out more:

DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work

The DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work is now published! We had a fantastic launch, with lively discussions and plenty of input from the 200+ strong audience of architects, clients, consultants, manufacturers and more. Catch up with the recording here if you missed it.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing several short videos complementing the Overlay, featuring case studies and hearing perspectives from practitioners within different job roles on their experiences with DfMA, so keep your eyes peeled.

Offsite Leadership Group

The Offsite Leadership Group met on the 8th September to catch up on progress and discuss pressing topics within the world of Offsite and MMC. Emerging themes included best practice in managing material and resource availability in the current climate, and the need for effective sharing of data and modelling techniques with manufacturers. We’ll be taking these themes forward into our future training sessions and outputs.

The minutes from the Leadership Group are published here. If you’re from a Partner organisation and are interested in joining the Leadership Group please drop us an email at [email protected].

Our next meeting will be on December 1st, 10-12 where we’ll be discussing social value and Offsite, as well as recent work on decarbonisation of precast concrete.

Upcoming training sessions…

Don’t miss our virtual conference ‘Offsite and Mass Timber Construction‘, Thurs 21 October, which we are running in tandem with the Scotland group in the School.

This session, featuring speakers from the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology, Robertson Timber Engineering and Edinburgh Napier University, will discuss on-going work to increase the use of timber in construction and stimulate dialogue with respect to barriers to uptake.  Find out more and register

Also coming up:

  • DfMA for Architects Workshop, Weds 20 October, 9:00 – 12:00. Register now
  • Offsite for Quantity Surveyors and Cost Consultants Workshop, Thurs 25 November, 9:00 – 12:00. Register now

Resources recommended for you this month…

NEW: The DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work 2020. Find out more

NEW: Routemap for Zero Avoidable Waste in Construction. Find out more

If you don’t measure, you can’t manage

Complete our free self assessment to get your bespoke action plan today. The list of resources will advise you where you should focus your learning with direct links to top-quality materials.

You can also benchmark your company’s offsite maturity here.

We are pleased to announce that GRS Roadstone has become the latest Partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School

Having been a member since 2012, GRS Roadstone has taken the next step and joined the School as a Partner and to collaborate with their colleagues and drive sustainability across the built environment supply chain.

The School is delighted to welcome GRS Roadstone on board and look forward to working with them.

Our Partner organisations are committed to building sustainability skills and knowledge across the industry. This will help us to safeguard the future of the UK’s built environment and ensure that it is fairer, greener, and more robust.

The School is committed to working alongside our Partners to support us all in our objective to “build back better”.

Find out more: