“The most important thing is for everyone in the industry to understand the part they can play in delivering a net zero economy. A lot of small changes will add up. We are going to need a lot more skills in terms of automation, big data, offsite construction, sustainability, change management, project management – things that people don’t always think of when they think about construction. We need to promote careers in the industry better, making it more accessible and more aspirational.
When we talk about net zero, we are talking about timescales that are not tomorrow. They might be 2030 or 2050. The problem with long timescales is there is always something more urgent to do today. We need to create a problem that is immediate and needs a reaction.
Willmott Dixon is involved in the Supply Chain Sustainability School, which provides free learning, advice and support. We have a portal, a bit like a personal carbon calculator, that calculates fuel use in the supply chain and helps companies to reduce their carbon footprint.
We are also involved in the Aldersgate Group. It’s an alliance of leaders from across business trying to drive change for a sustainable economy. In October last year, we launched a skills briefing calling on government, businesses, and education providers to collaborate on boosting the supply of skills across the low-carbon economy.”