Achieving net zero carbon through construction procurement and contracting

Abstract

This opinion considers how ‘net zero carbon’ can be achieved through construction procurement and contracting and in doing so (i) discusses what prevents construction from achieving net zero, (ii) considers what procurement and contracting systems can deliver net zero, (iii) explores how the UK government supports net zero procurement and contracting and finally (iv) describes how a net zero alliance (which is a collaborative way of working) operates in practice. The authors argue that (i) innovative approaches to achieving net zero carbon through solutions can be applied holistically to construction strategy, procurement, contracting and management, and also stress the point that (ii) new strategic relationships and processes play a crucial role in ensuring that clients, advisors and the construction industry can deliver net zero carbon targets in practice on a variety of different projects and programmes of work.