The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has published its guidance notes on improving sustainability in construction.

Published by Sweet & Maxwell, Building a sustainable future together is available from bookshops now, and is a forerunner to the inclusion of new sustainability clauses in all JCT forms of contracts from May.

The decision by JCT to extend the green provisions within its contracts followed an industry-wide consultation last year, and several months of drafting and consultation from across the property and construction industries.

JCT Secretary General, Peter Hibberd, said: "With almost half of all CO2 emissions coming from buildings, and the construction process itself being particularly wasteful, JCT recognised a need and has published Building a sustainable future together.


"This guidance note is concerned principally with how sustainability in design and construction is provided for within contract documents. It also includes new contract clauses that extend those currently in JCT contracts, which will be incorporated into Revision 2, due for publication in May."

The sustainability guidance, and subsequent clauses, does not seek to impose rigid criteria upon contractors, or strict targets. Instead they introduce a framework under which the contract can encompass sustainability. The guidance document stresses that the client's commitment and the early involvement of the supply chain are essential to achieve sustainability both in the design and construction processes.

The guidance note specifies a range of contractual provisions that could be selected, including value engineering to encourage design efficiency; requirements to reduce, reuse and recycle; wastage limitation; energy and water saving; emission reduction, and, use of sustainable materials and products.

(CD/JM)