The 28 signatories to the statement acknowledge that the built environment accounts for almost 40 per cent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions whilst also having a significant impact on our natural habitats.

Signalled in the statement is “an urgent need for coordinated action to address and mitigate the impact of the built environment on both the climate change and biodiversity ‘emergencies’.”

To this end, the signatories have established a Climate Change Panel, formed from leaders within each profession and convened by CIC, to aid collaboration and shared endeavour between the professional bodies.

The Climate Change Panel will facilitate the coming together of the built environment professions so that they can:

• drive a net zero carbon emissions pathway;
• identify and promote examples of best practice carbon reduction,  climate resilience, biodiversity protection and improvement;
• encourage thought leadership and innovation to bring about change;
• share best practice in terms of education accreditation, membership qualification and CPD development;
• provide advice and guidance on all matters relating to the mitigation of the climate change and biodiversity ‘emergencies’ and the appropriate adaptation of the built and natural environment.

On behalf of members and with the advice of the Climate Change Panel, CIC will:

1. support and provide co-ordination and information exchange for the climate change and biodiversity action plans and activities of individual CIC member organisations;
2. work with the professional bodies to develop partnerships with governments, the Committee on Climate Change, the Construction Leadership Council and other governmental and non-governmental organisations in pursuit of these objectives; and
3. communicate activities both internally and externally, including through the publication of a regular Climate Change and Biodiversity Digest.

Stephen Hodder MBE, Chairman of the CIC said: “This is the most pressing issue of our time. Those in the built environment have an enormous role to play in reducing carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing buildings and infrastructure. There is no time to lose and we hope in forming this unprecedented alliance our collective skills, knowledge and influence will drive necessary change.”

The full statement is below.

Statement on Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency

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Notes to the editor

CIC is the representative forum for the professional bodies, research organisations and specialist business associations for professional services providers in the construction industry. It provides a single voice for professionals in all sectors of the built environment through its collective membership of 500,000 individual professionals and 25,000 firms of construction consultants.

Press Queries - 020 7399 7400 kpring@cic.org.uk

CIHT is a member of CIC and has released its own climate change pledge, more details can be found here