UK-GBC Will Double Industry Climate Change Support

Environmentalists, green campaigners and renewable supporters have expressed concerns that climate change and sustainability may not be a high priority following the EU referendum result today. The final count revealed that Britain’s voters have decided to leave the European Union. In the wake of the news the Green Building Council is urging the construction and property sector to keep their climate agendas at the forefront of their operations.

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 business 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.”