Robertson deal to shape Scotland’s net zero building push

Aaron Morby 4 years ago
Share

Scotland’s environmental regulator has formed a three-year partnership with builder Robertson group to help push for more sustainable construction projects across the country.

Group ceo Elliot Robertson hopes to inspire the rest of the industry to move towards the goal of becoming climate positive
Group ceo Elliot Robertson hopes to inspire the rest of the industry to move towards the goal of becoming climate positive

The Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA) between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Robertson is the first in Scotland to focus on environmental performance across an entire supply chain.

The partnership will help amplify support for the businesses in the Robertson supply chain to meet their environmental obligations and encourage them to move beyond compliance by supporting the transition to a circular net zero economy.

SEPA regulates activities undertaken by businesses, including construction firms, house builders, waste hauliers, industrial operators, product manufacturers and suppliers.

Acting as a ‘critical friend’, Robertson will highlight any systemic issues associated with meeting environmental regulations so that action can be taken to tackle them before they result in environmental harm or a licence breach.

Any opportunities identified to help upskill suppliers and subcontractors to meet their environmental obligations, support them to do more for the environment and create opportunities that link business success with environmental success will also be shared.

The two organisations will also work together to:

  • undertake a joint review to help prioritise actions in the supply chain;
  • pilot, review and share SEPA training content and guidance for the industry around environmental compliance
  • explore new ways of identifying the suppliers and subcontractors most in need of support, intervening to help support, but using compliance history to inform supply chain selection, and contractual compliance requirements to drive improvements.

Terry A’Hearn, SEPA’s chief executive, said: “In 2018, I challenged Scotland’s business leaders to face up to the scale of the environmental challenge facing us.

“I explained that only great leaders would understand that it is an opportunity for their businesses and organisations to help solve – it while creating economic success.

“This is the first agreement between SEPA and a tier 1 construction, housing, infrastructure and support services business and it creates a real opportunity to communicate the aspirations, challenges and opportunities for environmental performance in Scotland to a wide audience.

“I hope our SGA with Robertson will inspire others to answer the call as well.”

Elliot Robertson, Robertson’s, chief executive officer, said: “At Robertson we fully recognise the role that we play in assuring a sustainable future.

“We have worked closely with SEPA for a number of years and we are proud to formalise and build upon our relationship through the signing of the SGA.

“We are confident that this agreement will have a positive impact on our operations and we look forward to facing the challenges ahead and to being part of the delivery of an inclusive net zero society.”

This SGA is one of a series of such agreements the Scottish regulator has struck in recent years – with existing partnerships including the Leven Programme Partnership and the 2050 Climate Group. It will be reviewed after three years, with an opportunity to widen the scope to improve the environmental and sustainability performance of the supply chain during other phases of the building lifecycle.

 

Latest news

Redundancies loom at M&E giant Dalkia

Consultation starts at Southern region
18 hours ago

Land deal unlocks East London £750m health hub plan

Queen Mary University secures site to build Whitechapel life sciences complex
18 hours ago

Aureos bags £45m Howden Relief Road job

Former Keltbray infrastructure business to start construction next month
19 hours ago

Four injured after partially built floor collapses

Court hears how steel beams were cut at the same time Acrow props removed
19 hours ago

Careys directors sacked after £4m job-loss showdown

Pair win unfair dismissal case after being accused of "tickling each other’s bollocks"
4 days ago

Octavius wins £31m A38 corridor upgrade

North Somerset picks firm for key trunk road improvement scheme
18 hours ago

Danny Sullivan Group hits back over HS2 allegations

Labour supply giant confident it is "fully compliant with all tax obligations"
4 days ago

Bid race takes off for £500m MAG airport small works deal

Nine-lot framework to cover civils, building and M&E jobs up to £5m
4 days ago

Mace director joins Wates as Chief Commercial Officer

Pat Fitzgerald to lead commercial strategy at Wates
4 days ago

Rob Perrins steps up as executive chair in Berkeley shake-up

Long-serving chief steps up to lead housebuilder’s next growth phase
4 days ago

Competition watchdog turns attention to civil engineering

Competition and Markets Authority launches study into road and rail delivery
5 days ago

Timber imports rise for first time in four years

Softwood volumes and prices lead rebound as housing outlook improves
4 days ago

10-Year Infrastructure Strategy published

Full details as Government pledges £725bn of funding over the next decade
5 days ago

Korean firm buys part built Hackney job from failed Elements Europe

Work can now restart on 21-storey hotel and office development
5 days ago

Mark Wild radical reset plan to rescue HS2

Senior manager bonuses scrapped and non-permanent labour cutback
5 days ago

HS2 supply chain fraud claims spark ministerial probe

Transport secretary pledges one-year reset for HS2 to end 'litany of failures'
5 days ago

Lords launch inquiry into Building Safety Regulator delays

Industry asked for evidence of how system is failing: Have your say
5 days ago

Willmott Dixon director becomes co-owner of local contractor BSN

Nick Gibb targets £100m turnover at Dudley based national contractor
5 days ago

Dry lining boss sentenced after mystery account moves

Court hears of £500,000 in unexplained transfers before contractor went under
5 days ago

Barhale bags £16m shaft tank for Severn Trent Water

"Final piece in the puzzle" of Etruria Vale upgrade
5 days ago

Keltbray strikes £30m funding deal for growth

Three-year funding deal to support push into higher-margin work
6 days ago

Take That brother buys steelwork giant William Hare

Entrepreneur Simon Orange seals deal for £350m turnover contractor
6 days ago

Civils contractor LF Solutions files administration notice

£20m-turnover specialist has labour supply arm and own plant fleet
6 days ago

Joseph Gallagher lands £50m green energy deal

Major trenchless construction contract for HyNet North West project
6 days ago

New boss drives NG Bailey to record revenue

Fresh strategy lifts M&E group's order book to £1.6bn
6 days ago

Costain wins vast underground hydrogen storage design job

Firms lands FEED contract for Cheshire salt caverns conversion
6 days ago

Graham gets green light for £70m Glasgow student tower

Construction due to start this year on 25-storey Anderston scheme
6 days ago

New £16bn National Housing Bank to drive 500k new builds

Homes England given new powers to finance stalled and complex schemes
6 days ago

Morgan Sindall upgrades profits forecast for this year

Overbury fitout and construction operations exceed trading expectations
7 days ago

Major project bidders to face ‘British jobs’ test

Contractors to face tougher jobs pledge scrutiny under new procurement shake-up
1 week ago