Public Procurement and Property

Built Environment @ COP26: CSIC showcase sustainable alternatives for construction!

October 19, 2021 by Guest Blogger No Comments | Category climate change, Construction, Guest Blog, innovation

As we count down to COP26, Scottish Procurement are delighted to welcome a guest blog from Construction Scotland CSIC to promote their BE@COP26 showcase. A chance to learn about how the procurement of innovative materials is key in transitioning to zero carbon.

From 1-12 November, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) is hosting a free showcase of events and exhibitions, highlighting opportunities to combat climate change through the use of alternative, sustainable materials and processes in construction.

With construction and the built environment accounting for as much as 47% of UK carbon emissions, we recognise the major role it must play in transitioning to zero carbon, with innovation and the procurement of innovative materials and solutions critical to making meaningful and long-lasting change.

Over the two-week period, our Innovation Factory in Hamilton will host some of the UK’s most innovative prototypes and exhibits, shining a spotlight on the emerging opportunities to build more sustainably across public and private sector projects including housing, schools, offices and retrofitting existing buildings.

While the sector is already taking steps towards a zero-carbon future, with cutting-edge materials, processes and next generation skills already available, they need to be adopted at scale and made accessible to everyone – and responsible, sustainable procurement can support that. The decarbonisation of the built environment is one of the biggest challenges Scotland faces in achieving our 2045 emissions targets and COP26 can be the catalyst for change.

Among the range of exhibits on display will be the UK’s first two-storey modular home manufactured from homegrown cross laminated timber – part of the wider Transforming Timber initiative. We will also showcase a NearHome prototype, part of the Scottish Government’s 20-minute neighbourhoods initiative, which shows how disused spaces can be transformed into sustainable, local work hubs.

In addition, MultiPly – a carbon-neutral, modular wooden pavilion that was the star of the London Design Festival – will be on display, along with sustainable building materials such as Kenoteq’s K-Briq made from 90% recycled construction waste.

As well as guided tours around the Innovation Factory and exhibits, visitors are invited to attend two key conferences taking place during the fortnight: Wood for Good, celebrating the growing importance of using timber in low carbon construction and BE the Solution, which will explore the sustainable materials, processes and skills that can be adopted by the industry and mainstreamed.

CSIC is Scotland’s national innovation centre for the built environment and our core mission is to accelerate the transition to zero carbon by supporting research and design initiatives, and by offering access to cutting-edge tools, equipment, and leading expertise.

Almost every aspect of sustainable construction can be supported by responsible procurement, whether it is through choosing low-carbon materials like homegrown timber or selecting contractors that champion energy efficient approaches such as Passivhaus or EnerPhit.

We are already at the heart of the built environment ecosystem, connecting industry and the public sector with the right expertise and skills to inspire action and drive change. Our role during COP26 is no different – we’re building a showcase that will leave a lasting impact on the future of the built environment and encourage everyone to get involved.

BE@COP26 is being delivered by CSIC with the support of the following partners:

Eco Systems Technologies, Wood for Good, Cities4Forests, SNRG, American Hardwood Export Council, Timber Development UK, Confor, Balfour Beatty, Race to Zero, Offgrid Travel, NMITE,  After the Pandemic, Class of Your Own, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Funding Council, CO2nstruct Zero, Transport Scotland, UK Department for Education, UK Green Buildings Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Edinburgh Napier University, Innovate UK, Interreg.

To find out more about the exhibits and to book a visit go to: be-at-cop26.org.

Thank you very much to CSIC for sharing with us all about their exciting hub of inspiration, learning and action for the built environment to accelerate to zero.

Public procurement in Scotland is:

• Good for Business and Employees
• Good for Society
• Good for Places and Communities
• Open and Connected

For further information on public procurement in Scotland please visit gov.scot/procurement

For further information on Scotland’s Public Procurement Priorities please click here.

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Tags: BE@COP26, climate change, Construction, COP26, environmental benefits, guest blog, innovation, procurement, public sector procurement, Scottish Procurement, Sustainability, sustainable procurement

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