Minister highlights 'environmental challenges' of construction

17-05-2007

A conservative minister has highlighted what he sees as the environmental challenges faced by the construction industry, and ways of tackling them.

Mark Prisk, the shadow minister for business and enterprise, first recognised the importance of the construction industry to the UK economy, acknowledging that it employs 2.1 million people and accounts for over eight per cent of the nation's GDP.

He went on to consider the environmental challenges faced by the industry.

"By its very nature, the entire process of construction can have detrimental effects on the environment," Mr Prisk said.

"According to official statistics, the energy produced from non-renewable sources and consumed in [the construction] sector accounts for roughly half of the UK's Co2 emissions," he added.

Mr Prisk then outlined the ways in which a conservative government would tackle the issue.

These included the setting out of a "comprehensive" long-term strategy followed by a period during which industry would be allowed to work out its solutions for itself alongside a government "leading by example".

He also suggested tax incentives to cut emissions and more emphasis on the notion that green businesses do better business – since they become more appealing to the public.

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