Whilst we are faced with many issues around sustainability such as energy management, low carbon, our industry is always seeking ways to innovate and deliver measurable long term value for money, the single biggest issue we keep returning to is money.

The CLAW event last week was dominated by the need to do more for less. However, the event demonstrated one of the great things about Welsh construction: the desire to deliver great projects. And by great, we do not mean simply being in budget. We mean facilities, such as schools, that are not just fit for purpose and meet targets on waste and low carbon, but have a clear and demonstrably positive effect on the lives of the people using the building. For a school that means a child’s education – something that should never be compromised by money, design standardisation or anything else.

Having access to the best and most up to date data and evidence is critical for construction decisions.  At the Nearer to Zero events the Tyndall Centre presented the latest climate change forecasts.  The Tyndall Centre is a specialist centre for climate change research that brings together scientists, economists, engineers and social scientists to develop sustainable responses to climate change. Sounds exactly like the approach we have been advocating in Welsh construction doesn’t it.