The UK must adopt the government's Construction Strategy "enthusiastically and unequivocally" to meet carbon reduction targets, according to HVCA president Bob Shelley.

“However, the really hard work remains to be done [to turn] the vision into reality,” Shelley said at the HVCA President’s Luncheon last week.

“I draw a great deal of reassurance from the fact that the new Construction Board, which will oversee the delivery process, will be chaired by the government’s chief construction adviser, Paul Morrell. Since his appointment, Morrell has demonstrated not only a deep understanding of the construction process, but also a welcome readiness to pay heed to the views of all industry interests, and to take these into account when reaching his measured, carefully considered conclusions.”

Shelley told his audience that in the quest for a low-carbon economy, HVCA members are now routinely acknowledged as experts in the integration of renewable technologies into both residential and non-residential buildings.