July 17, 2023
As you will be aware, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is currently being held in Glasgow until 12th November 2021. The concept of a ‘COP’ in the context of climate change emerged with the founding of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the ‘Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. This was a conference that followed the first report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1990. As diplomats, scientists, lobbyists, activists, the media, politicians and businesspeople gather, the decisions made here will play a crucial part in a historic and vital process.
Businesses, like ours, with an interest in the sustainability space, have been aware of COP 26 for a while, and news coverage of the COP has been ample in recent weeks. But recently, we’ve noticed very few outlets explaining that The Built Environment and Construction Sector accounts for 38% of global Carbon Emissions, 50% of the world’s energy consumption and 40% of raw materials. While existing building stock will require large scale retrofitting to meet net-zero carbon goals, we also need a higher sustainability bar for new buildings.
Here at Longley, we are targeting the most impactful actions to mitigate this, leading the industry’s charge to meet the Prime Minister’s 2035 Net Zero target. As industry leaders, businesses shaping and developing a new approach is vital to the global challenges of delivering Net Zero in the Built Environment and the future of the construction sector will need to pivot to meet the challenge.
Works that achieve major sustainability certifications, with local, natural and low carbon and sustainable materials with a highly ecological specification, is integral to our business ethics. We will continue to strive towards improving our knowledge and lowering our carbon footprint through passion and innovation.
