BESA President Criticises Government’s “Cold Feet” Over Net-Zero Timetable  

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19 October 2023

BESA President Claire Curran said the government’s “flip flopping” on net-zero and infrastructure policy should not be used as an excuse to delay investment that would “make buildings work better”.

Speaking at the opening of the  Building Engineering Services Association’s (BESA) annual conference, Claire said that buildings should be made to work better for social and economic reasons; not just to meet safety and climate change goals. She said: “It makes no difference that the government has got cold feet over its net zero timetable and the cost of vital infrastructure. We still have a built environment that is desperate for an upgrade.”

“We need look no further than the ‘crumbly concrete’ scandal in schools and hospitals for proof that our existing building stock is not being properly maintained.  Vital investment in refurbishment and retrofit has fallen so far behind the curve that many of our built assets are no longer fit for purpose.”

–Claire Curran

President, BESA

“We need look no further than the ‘crumbly concrete’ scandal in schools and hospitals for proof that our existing building stock is not being properly maintained.  Vital investment in refurbishment and retrofit has fallen so far behind the curve that many of our built assets are no longer fit for purpose.”

She told the event that improving the built environment should be a priority as it was critical to “the hopes and aspirations of this and future generations”.

“The buildings we live and work in are crucial to our wellbeing and quality of life – and there is nothing more fundamental than that.”

“We Are Supposed to be Improving Buildings – Not Letting Them Continue to Degrade.”

Claire also criticised the two-thirds of residential landlords who told a recent survey that they would rather sell their properties than pay for energy efficiency improvements to meet EPC regulations originally due to come into force in 2025.

“And then the government scrapped the deadline anyway,” she said. “What sort of signal does that send? The whole point is that we are supposed to be improving buildings – not letting them continue to degrade.”

“Whether you think net-zero is achievable or not, making buildings better is surely a basic social responsibility.”

Picture: a photograph of Claire Curran. Image Credit: BESA

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 19 October 2023

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