Future Foundations - building a better South West
With the growing awareness of climate change, it is clear that how we build, organise and live in our communities has a direct impact on the environment. The Future Foundations initiative, launched in 2001, aims to provide a clear understanding of sustainable construction for anybody involved in construction and for individuals since sustainable construction affects us all.
Future Foundations has succeeded in raising awareness of sustainable construction through the Future Foundations Sustainable Construction Charter launched in 2002. Over 165 organisations have signed the Charter pledge which asks them to consider such factors as energy efficiency and local sourcing of materials and labour within their construction activities, designs and property. The “pledgees” represent a wide cross section from local authorities, developers and architects to educational institutions, police constabularies and charitable trusts proving that sustainable construction is of widespread importance.
More recently, Future Foundations have been preparing for the launch of the South West Sustainability Checklist for Developments – steered by Future Foundations and supported by the draft Regional Spatial strategy. This is an on-line tool for the practical use of those involved in construction and particularly for those in the planning stages, providing a fast and easy-to-use guideline for building sustainably. Eventually there will be a checklist following a similar template for every region in the country, helping to assist developers and local authorities to meet environmental targets. The checklist will be launched on 28th June 2007.
Future Foundations Project Director Lesley Seymour comments that, “increased public awareness of climate change is helping to drive demand for more sustainable construction, delivering real change on the ground is the new challenge.” Future Foundations work with regional government partners, local authorities, support organisations and private business to increased awareness, provide tools and address barriers to accelerate the adoption of sustainable construction in the South West.
Find out more at www.futurefoundations.co.uk.
Future Foundations is financially supported by the South West of England Regional Development Agency, South West Regional Assembly and the Environment Agency.
© 2007 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.