A Blueprint for Change

ROUNDTABLE WRITE UPS

CASE FOR CHANGE AND ACTION PLAN

Here is how the attendees felt the sector should state its case: 1. Galvanising action – a systems approach via a minimum standard would have the benefit of giving the industry a common goal to aim at, putting pressure on those not on board and providing reassurance to policymakers via an audited and standardised approach. 2. Scaling innovation – with a myriad of pilot and trial projects taking place all over the country, how many times, one guest asked, is a similar idea being tested in different parts of the UK? A standard would prevent piecemeal innovation and mobilise resource and money behind shared efforts to have a larger impact. 3. Encouraging investment – standardisation would give the private sector incentive to invest. The example of buying new recycling equipment for London kerbs was given. If contractors had certainty that all boroughs would prioritise the re-use of street materials, then it would make the business case for expenditure far less risky.

Participants acknowledged that standards for the UK’s roads and public realm do already exist, of course, notably the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, while PAS 2080 sets a framework for carbon management in infrastructure. However, the group felt that something more directive – prescriptive even – is needed to move the dial on decarbonising our streetscape, with defined, measurable minimum performance targets for projects. Some gave examples from the Netherlands and Norway that show how setting centralised, mandated sustainability targets can speed up progress. There was consensus that a standard would help, but how to convince decision-makers of this? Cost is a major barrier and the funding context for UK infrastructure is very different from buildings. Attendees agreed that getting buy-in from central and local government is essential. For local authorities especially, compelling arguments are needed to get politicians to endorse change ahead of the 2026 elections.

Sustainable Infrastructure: A Blueprint for Change | 27