Green charter for building sector

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A "green charter" to cut carbon emissions from Wales' construction industry has been signed by more than 40 building groups and organisations.

The assembly government says the agreement is the first of its kind in the UK.

The Environment Minister Jane Davidson AM said: "Today is another Wales first in the battle against climate change."

But the Conservatives said the businesses "only represent a small part of the construction industry in Wales".

The charter is a joint initiative between the Welsh Assembly Government, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) and the Design Commission for Wales.

Carbon footprint

Organisations that have signed up to the agreement include building companies, colleges and trade bodies.

They will also promise to support an energy-efficient built environment, share examples and increase access to training.

Ms Davidson said the charter confirmed Wales' commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.

"The built environment is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases in Wales. The way in which we construct and use our homes and other buildings accounts for 40% of our total carbon emissions.

"It is vital that all our new buildings are energy efficient and as green as possible.

The Conservative's environment spokesman, Darren Millar AM, said the agreement showed the willingness of the private sector to work voluntarily to "tackle climate change".

"However, we must recognise that these businesses and trade organisations only represent a small part of the construction industry in Wales. We have a huge problem because the housing stock in Wales is much older Richard Jenkins, Federation of Master Builders

"I remain concerned that despite the manifesto commitments of the Labour-Plaid coalition, the promise to devolve building regulations to Wales - the key tool in delivering real change in the construction industry - is yet to be fulfilled.

"As such the assembly government is still failing to deal with the massive challenge of retrofitting inefficient buildings across Wales."

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) represents around 600 builders in Wales and is one of the trade bodies signing the charter.

Its director in Wales, Richard Jenkins, welcomed the agreement and said sustainable building would add "another arrow in the bow" for his members.

"Global warming is not going to wait until the economy gets better.

"It's about getting willing partners to make our building in Wales more sustainable."

"We have a huge problem because the housing stock in Wales is much older. This is a problem because they're generally solid stone walls so there's no wall insulation, there's no floor insulation."

He said people could help cut the carbon emissions of their homes by having thicker insulation installed.

The FMB is now looking to join forces with a housing association in an experimental project to show the benefits of sustainable building.

As part of the charter, the Energy Saving Trust will lead a Wales Existing Homes Alliance to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes.