Buildings represent one of our greatest sustainability opportunities and challenges. The benefits are there for all to see though: the design and construction of sustainable buildings can drastically lower operating costs, improve marketability, give longer and more useful life-spans, significantly increase occupant productivity and well-being … the list goes on.
And in the UK, The Green Register, an independent, self-funded and not-for-profit organisation, is at the forefront of promoting sustainable building practices across all disciplines of the construction industry.
The Green Register first opened its doors for business in October 2000, at a time when those promoting sustainability were still considered by many to be ‘tree huggers’.
It was initiated by Lucy Pedler, whose architectural practice, archipeleco, saw the need for a network of like-minded construction professionals across the borough of Southwark, London. The Green Register was given start-up funding and support by Southwark Building Control and Sustainable Energy Action, and very rapidly expanded from a local list of architects and engineers to a nationwide network of construction professionals, trades people and supporting local authorities. As attitudes and requirements have continued to change and evolve, The Green Register has expanded, becoming entirely self-supporting in October 2005 when it moved offices from London to Bristol.
Lucy Pedler is director of The Green Register; Birgit Nicklitzsch is manager and runs The Green Register office, and the entire organisation is guided by its members through a steering group and regional coordinators.
Offering expert and unbiased training on sustainable building practices to all disciplines of the construction industry, The Green Register’s aims are achieved through its three core activities:
Training – raising awareness of the issues surrounding sustainable building practices by running training and events across the UK. These events range from half-day practical workshops through to the full two-day Sustainable Building & Services training course. The Green Register also runs in-house Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions for construction professionals on a wide range of topics.
The Register – all members have attended at least two days of Green Register training and, once registered, are placed on the web-based register of members. This list is available to potential clients who are looking for professionals with a demonstrated commitment to sustainable building practices.
Networking – it is important to exchange ideas, provide mutual support and make professional connections with other disciplines; The Green Register’s events provide an ideal opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals and network, share ideas and information.
The Green Register can provide in-house CPD sessions for a wide variety of small and large organisations, ranging from general overviews of sustainable construction topics through to specifically tailored sessions. Organisations it has provided CPD sessions include entire RIBA regions, PRP Architects and a series of fourteen bespoke sessions for Stride Treglown offices around the country.
Sustainable design is responsible design, and The Green Register seeks to accelerate the widespread adoption of sustainable building best practice by assisting and encouraging members and the construction industry at large to utilise a holistic approach that addresses social, environmental and economic issues.
The Earth’s ecosystems are at a critical stage: they are being severely damaged, with human activity leading to irreversible loss of essential (i.e. life-supporting) ecosystem functions. Buildings and construction works have the largest single share in global resource use and pollution emission. This has to change, and to find out more about how you can be the change you want to see, visit www.greenregister.org.uk.
