Building capacity for sustainable development is about equipping organisations and individuals with the understanding, skills and access to information, knowledge and training that enables them to perform effectively.
Actions were identified to increase capacity building, develop research and promote information exchange and knowledge sharing on sustainable development.
Capacity Building
Sustainability guidelines have now been incorporated into the Joint Board of Moderators accreditation to ensure that sustainable development is integrated into accredited Civil Engineering degree courses.
The ICE released the State of the Nation report on Capacity and Skills in January 2008 which called for a safer, healthier, more productive and profitable industry.
Research
ICE has explored the consequences of Climate change on coastal areas in collaboration with RIBAs Building Futures group in the report ‘facing up to rising sea levels: Attack? Retreat? Defend?”
ACE have carried out research on “soft landings” which encourage builder and occupancy collaboration to ensure efficiency in handover and operation.
Research into embodied carbon has led to the creation of CESSM3 carbon accounting tool from TTL which includes embodied carbon costs for every material and unit of work. This enables users to calculate not just the economic, but also the carbon cost of every project they undertake.
Information Exchange
CIRIA have exchanged information through the Construction Industry Environment Forum workshops and the ICE holds an annual lecture to inform practitioners and stimulate action on sustainability. However, more work needs to be done in linking up professional bodies to exchange information.