Constructing Excellence in Wales Publishes Guidance on Future Generations Targets

CEWales is collaborating with the office of the Future Generations Commissioner (OFG) to connect the industry’s day-to-day work with the principles of the Act. In effect, CE Wales is working to embed a new construction strategy within the government’s well-being goals and objectives, as if the industry were a named body within the Act.

Milica Kitson, Chief Executive of CEWales said, “The Extinction Rebellion, Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, UK government carbon targets and the legal imperative of the Well-being of Future Generations Act together send a powerful message. The construction industry, its clients and supply chain, must change if it is to deliver a built environment fit for future generations. Failure to adapt is not an option. Constructing Excellence in Wales, together with the industry, will be leading the campaign to bring about real change alongside the office of the Future Generations Commissioner.”

Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commisioner said “I welcome Constructing Excellence in Wales’ announcement of their ‘statement of intent’ regarding construction for future generations. It is encouraging to see CEWales and the construction sector voluntarily embracing the Well-being of Future Generations Act; working together to provide a built environment fit for future generations. The public sector in Wales is the single biggest construction client, worth an average of up to £5 billion a year. There is huge potential in this statement, recognising what the construction industry can do to achieve the well-being goals and I look forward to seeing progress from the industry.”

Constructing for Future Generations sets out the objectives that must be achieved and links the work of Welsh construction to the sustainable development goals outlined by the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales).

“As well as winning hearts and minds to our argument – that sustainable development construction in Wales can go together to create the built environment the nation needs – we have to make sure that our message is tangible. Preaching is one thing. Connecting the cause to work on site, or on the drawing board or in the planner’s office is crucial,” explains Milica Kitson.

The first key target is to establish a construction industry benchmark by mapping the seven well-being goals outlined in the Act against each of the nine stages in the RIBA plan of work. This will provide a picture of how far construction projects are currently aligned with the goals – and what needs to change. The benchmark will apply to both the public and private sectors, but the process will begin with 21st Century Schools projects.

“We urge all parts of the industry to commit to the government’s well-being aspirations as expressed in the WFG Act. New and existing CEWales members are invited to volunteer to assist with research, communication, events, seminars and conferences to help us spread the message,” ends Milica Kitson.

For further press information about CEW please contact Andrew Brown on 07795 547069 or email andrew@frankandbrown.com

Editor’s notes

As an independent, membership funded representative body Constructing Excellence in Wales is charged with driving the change agenda in construction, housing and regeneration. CE Wales spreads best practice across the construction industry in Wales and works alongside its stakeholder to improve industry performance in order to produce a better built environment.  The organisation works to encourage the whole supply chain to adopt the ideas set out in the Latham and Egan reports and embrace collaborative working with emphasis on creating a built environment fit the future in line with the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015.