Lisa Sanders
head of social sustainability, Kier
As we push towards creating a more sustainable future, wherever you turn - from large corporations to SMEs, carbon reduction is at the top of the agenda.
The UK has committed to achieving net zero by 2050 and, let’s be clear, it’s a target that is critical to protecting our planet for future generations.
But is this a case of carbon tunnel vision which could put genuine sustainable development at risk?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as development that ‘meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’.
Essentially, true sustainability must be holistic in its approach and should extend not just to the environment and cutting carbon, but also to climate adaptation, social value, social sustainability and placemaking.
In my mind, the sector must take a pragmatic approach and there are some hard decisions ahead.
If we first consider climate adaptation, the picture is a stark one.
Our sea levels are rising fast – in fact, an interactive map by Climate Central reveals that several areas across Dorset could disappear underwater within the next 30 years. Conversely, without tackling water infrastructure and our approach to water management in the UK, there is a real danger that some areas will also face drought. Much of our rail infrastructure is Victorian and, as it ages, is becoming less resilient to extreme hot and cold weather conditions, resulting in potential disruption for thousands of travellers. Our cities are getting drier and hotter, with London marking record-breaking temperatures last summer, and our winters set to be wetter and warmer. We must adapt, adjusting our buildings and infrastructure to cope, future-proofing our towns and cities, and vitally protecting the communities which rely on these vital services and spaces.
But there is a delicate line to tread. Often the path to true sustainability is nuanced and complex, with several inter-relating or competing factors to consider. For example, as our climate changes, we will need to protect communities and towns with higher sea walls. But while, this is likely the right and proper thing to do, we shouldn’t forget that this can have knock-on impacts, such as intertidal habitat loss and displaced coastal erosion.
In the same vein, social sustainability must not go unnoticed or be of secondary importance. True sustainability means that a company considers social and human impact and delivers tangible social value to employees and the community in which they work. Companies have an ability, and imperative, to make a real difference to peoples’ lives. This could be anything from awarding contracts to local suppliers, going above and beyond in our efforts to improve a local area, or hiring people with convictions or from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to provide hope, chance and aspiration. These are all key priorities at Kier and, again, feeds into the holistic view that makes development actually sustainable in the long term.
Finally, let’s consider making a lasting difference. We can build the most environmentally friendly and nature-rich places, but if no one wants to live in them, or visit them, then can we really claim them as sustainable spaces?
This place-making element to sustainability in the built environment is an interesting one. Homes England recently published a paper exploring the placemaking impacts of housing-led regeneration. It shines a spotlight on understanding the impact the sector is having on places, from a broader perspective, and gives plenty of food for thought.
Consider a planting scheme along a main road, for example. The planting is done to reduce noise and air pollution in the surrounding area, but in so doing creates a dark, enclosed footpath, where the local community doesn’t want to walk. Or is not properly maintained so becomes overgrown or itself a victim of extreme weather. Or what about a new housing development that hits every BREEAM standard possible, but isn’t architecturally sympathetic to the local area and, as a result, becomes a blot on the landscape?
Balancing these competing demands is complex but we can and must embrace the challenge. At Kier, we’re doing what we can to achieve the right balance, guided by our refreshed Building for a Sustainable World framework. This framework focuses on three key pillars: Our People, Our Places and Our Planet, to ensure we address the issues that are most important to us and our stakeholders and that will make lasting differences. The people pillar considers the building of a workforce and supply chain of the future, the places pillar ensures we’re making a positive difference in our local communities and the planet pillar considers improving our environment, both now and for the future.
Our property business looks to regenerate and develop spaces, often in partnership with local authorities. A prime example of this is our Watford Riverwell development, being delivered in joint venture with Watford Borough Council. Since 2014, this 20 year programme sees over 70 acres of previously-contaminated brownfield land being redeveloped to create residential, commercial, retail, leisure, industrial space and a hotel. One of the key deliverables of the scheme was to clean up of the River Colne which runs through the site - improving access to the local community, open park space with walkways, and an outside gym.
This important environmental improvement work created a haven for wildlife and an attractive focal point for the new neighbourhood and for the wider Watford community to enjoy. It is deliverables like this that put social and environmental benefits on an equal footing.
The path forward was never going to be easy and, ultimately, we cannot consider developments truly sustainable when one factor or target is met but to the possible detriment of another. Each one of these factors must be considered in equal priority under the umbrella of sustainability.
Measuring and reducing carbon emissions - and embedded carbon – should remain a key consideration for those of us working to make our built environment more sustainable. But it’s not just about carbon. Taking a more rounded approach is critical if we are to create the sustainable communities of the future. This means communities that are adapted to climate change, nature rich, safe and offer better life chances all round.
This article was originally published in Placemakingresource.