Sustainable Lives
As individuals we are all being encouraged to think and act more sustainably. Developers and landowners are also under pressure to change their ways. Planning applications, applications under the Building Regulations and legal agreements related to the development of land are being required to demonstrate that the proposals will reduce energy consumption, use renewable forms of energy, reduce flood risk, use recycled building materials, benefit wildlife, recycle waste and reduce car use, amongst other things.
It may cost more to develop in a sustainable way and it tends to be the future occupier rather than the developer who will benefit. However, people are beginning to realise that a sustainable energy efficient new home is worth paying for, because the annual running costs will be far less than those of an older poorly insulated house. It's like buying a car, only more so. Some people don't care about the running costs of a "gas-guzzler" sports car or a 4x4 "tractor".
Some people seem to have more money than sense. Even Jeremy Clarkson thinks "the drivers of these things in cities must be clinically insane." More and more of us can see the attraction of a fuel efficient, low emission, reduced road-tax economy model.
Rather than resisting and resenting the Government's insistence on sustainable development, why not turn it to your advantage and think about ways to create a product that gives you an advantage over most of your competitors. When the housing market bounces back, as it inevitably will, you could be producing the sort of house that will attract buyers who have more sense than money and are looking for good value in the longer term.
For example, your company could adopt a sustainable procurement policy and make its supply chain as sustainable as possible. This will help you comply with legislation and environmental regulations, reduce your long term costs and, most important of all, improve your image with future customers who prefer to buy from responsible suppliers. Business Link has lots of advice for businesses considering ways of making their company more sustainable
Action Sustainability has a simple toolkit you can use to see where improvements could be made. It's a helpful way of checking that your staff and suppliers understand your aims, and appreciate the benefits that can be achieved. Your customers will be impressed by your value-for-money products that don't cost the earth.