CLG: Government taking steps to create green construction jobs

08/02/2010 13:30:24

The government is taking a variety of steps to create more green construction jobs, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has claimed.

A spokesman for CLG asserted that, with buildings responsible for half of all emissions, it was evident that their negative impact on the environment would have to be reduced as part of efforts to combat climate change.

He said this was why the government was setting new standards for construction work on all types of premises and that new housing is already 40 per cent greener than it was eight years ago, but acknowledged that further changes were needed.

The spokesman stated: "The government is already taking action in terms of retrofitting existing buildings, improving future design standards and cutting red tape in the planning system for the installation of green energy solutions."

A report published last week by the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment argued that by clever use of regionally sourced materials, building firms can reduce carbon emissions and bolster local construction recruitment at the same time.

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