Industry stakeholders sought to fund unprecedented published sustainable procurement guidance for UK construction industry.

Increasing legislation and a growing focus on environmental and sustainability requirements have stressed the need for more responsible practices across all industries especially in construction.

Client and stakeholder expectations are constantly growing in this area, resulting in the construction sector being under increasing pressure to both manage risk in the supply chain, and differentiate themselves as environmentally, socially and economically responsible organisations.

Due to the multitude of rapidly changing initiatives and strategies in this field, understanding sustainable procurement can be a complex business for organisations throughout the construction sector.

In response to these changes, CIRIA in association with Action Sustainability, has recognised the need to deliver a guidance entitled, "Sustainable Procurement in Construction". The publication will be the result of a collaborative research project and aims to illustrate the key sustainability opportunities and challenges faced in construction procurement today. This unique guidance will also provide a practical step-by-step approach to managing sustainable procurement across construction projects. 

This is your opportunity to demonstrate commitment to addressing sustainability issues in the supply chain, to influence industry good practice standards, and highlight your organisation as a leader in this field.

We are seeking funding from organisations like yours, to help us develop this indispensable best practice guidance that will:

• Identify the key principles of sustainable procurement, and clearly illustrate how these can be applied in the construction sector  
• Demonstrate how responsible decision-making and sustainable practices can be embedded across an organisation and its supply chain, to deliver construction projects that embrace corporate social responsibility commitments
• Help organisations not only benefit from knowledge learnt through best practice case studies, but also highlight how these improvements can assist with project management; environmental, social and budgetary performance; as well as reducing risk and demonstrating good corporate social responsibility

This publication will be an overarching guide to Sustainable Procurement in Construction. It will be suitable for organisations, both large and small, that want to embed sustainable procurement within their businesses. It will include:

• What sustainable procurement is; and why it is important for construction
• An overview of key processes and techniques available
• Case studies illustrating how sustainable procurement strategies have been successfully implemented in the construction industry
• References with links to further resources on specific areas such as responsible sourcing of materials, retaining skills and managing risks

This guide will be robust, user-friendly and concise. In addition to being available in book form, it may be available online. The overall document will be drafted and reviewed by a Project Steering Group to ensure it is an independent and authoritative guide.

• Stakeholder consultation workshops (November 2009 - January 2010) 
• Publication of the Sustainable Procurement in Construction manual (June 2010) 
• Practitioner workshops: how to use the manual to embed sustainable procurement in your organisation (June 2010 - ongoing) 
• Integrated press and PR campaign will engage widely with the construction and related sectors (ongoing)

This project will provide innovative and authoritative guidance on sustainable procurement. By participating in this project you will benefit from:  

1. Brand recognition as a supporter of industry good practice
2. Ability to influence the development of definitive guidance standards
3. Opportunity to demonstrate your organisation's commitment to address sustainability issues in the supply chain
4. Participation in stakeholder workshops related to the development of guidance standards
5. Gaining an early insight into innovative developments and key trends in this area
6. Enhancing your own professional development

Some of the ways in which your organisation can contribute to this project are: 

• Join the Project Steering Group
• Contribute funding
• Provide case studies
• Attend, or sponsor the dissemination events

Susan Steensma, Project Manager, CIRIA.  Tel: 020 75493300 or email susan.steensma@ciria.org OR

Emma-Jane Allen, Action Sustainability.  Tel: 020 7700 0008 or email emma-jane@actionsustainability.com