Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have signed a formal agreement to drive the industry’s progress to net-zero.
The Sustainable Growth Agreement sets out a joint vision for the construction sector, recognising the need to build resilience and create more sustainable, thriving places for people to live and work.
The partnership aims to support the industry’s journey to net-zero, increase resilience in the built environment, and encourage investment in green infrastructure.
Activities delivered as part of the agreement will focus on up-skilling the construction workforce – from leadership to entry level – with a range of training courses, practical sessions, webinars and mentoring opportunities to develop the skills needed to deliver a low carbon built environment.
The agreement builds on the existing relationship between CSIC and SEPA, with the organisations having worked together on a number of projects.
Stephen Good, CEO of CSIC, said: “With increased innovation and new ways of working across the processes, materials, systems and skills used by the built environment, we can create a sustainable future for Scotland.
The buildings we live and work in, and how we build them, are central to our economic, social, and environmental impact.
“This partnership with SEPA cements an already successful relationship which we hope to further build on with cross-sector collaboration for the benefit of the entire sector.
“As well as reaching net zero carbon targets, we have an opportunity laid out in front of us to create a better place in which current, and future, generations can work, learn, live and prosper.”
Terry A’Hearn, SEPA CEO, said: “We’re in the middle of a climate and nature emergency and we need to be taking steps to secure the prosperity and future of our planet.
“The construction industry literally builds the future, but the industry needs to reduce the resources it uses and create less waste to help create a prosperous future and meet the ambitious net zero targets set by Scottish government.
“The CSIC is already delivering innovation that will drive net zero in the industry in Scotland, developing different ways of working.
“Swift, rapid innovation is the key to building and implementing those solutions and ensuring net zero targets are achieved.
“As a regulator, SEPA will stop bad practice in the industry, as a good regulator should. But we also need to encourage innovation.
“This Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA) with Construction Scotland Innovation Centre will support this step change in the construction sector, tackling the risks and ensuring environmental compliance is the norm.”
Image: SEPA’s Terry A’Hearn with Stephen Good of CSIC (Credit: CSIC)
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