Christmas is traditionally a time for good will and reflection as we prepare not just for celebrating but also looking back at what we have learned from in one year as we plan for the new one ahead.
At CEW we already did some celebrating at the Senedd last week when along with ICE Wales and CECA Wales we invited stakeholders and members of the Welsh Government to a showcase of award winners. It was a great way to thank everyone that has supported our CEW Awards; to highlight the role construction plays in Welsh society and a chance to influence directly Lesley Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs.
It was also a time to reflect. The CEW Awards and the winners of the various ICE Wales and CECA Wales winners, all demonstrate the impact on our communities that construction can have when it is delivered with a focus on outcomes and value and not an obsession with cost.
That message is critical to 2017 and the next few years because if there is one resolution we must adhere to as we move forward it is this: construction is central to Wales creating the environment we need for our future generations to thrive.
What we do as an industry is intrinsic to achieving the goals set out by the Future Generations Act and the work of the Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe. But, just as importantly, the various projects we deliver as designers, builders, planners, suppliers and engineers must be managed with a focus on sustainability.
What CEW advocates as part of best practice has always involved building responsibly, managing and mitigating waste and maximising the best use of available resources. But now, more than ever, we must make sure that construction is a central element of the circular economy.
For an industry that remains the single greatest enabler to success for the country, we have no choice but to be seen to be walking the talk. So, in 2017, focus on best practice yes – but make sure that focus is underscored by an attention to the details of the circular economy and our future generations.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
