The launch comes alongside the publication of a new roadmap aimed at reducing waste, cutting carbon emissions and increasing material reuse in the sector.
Developed by Zero Waste Scotland, the Built Environment Roadmap to Circularity sets out a long-term vision for a highly efficient sector that maximises the value of materials and resources while maintaining its role as a major contributor to the Scottish economy.
The roadmap was launched at the first workshop of the sector-led Mission Board, which brings together representatives from industry, academia and the public sector to support delivery of the framework’s ambitions.
Ciaran McGuigan, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, commented: “Scotland is entering a critical phase in our transition to a circular economy, with an opportunity now to take bold action to deliver our ambitions and reach our economic goals.
“The built environment sector has a vital role to play in this transition, and by designing out waste, keeping materials in use for longer, and making the most of the resources we already have, we can strengthen supply chains and create new economic opportunities across Scotland.”
Built environment roadmap
The built environment roadmap is the second in a planned series of priority sector roadmaps being developed by Zero Waste Scotland to support delivery of the Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Strategy.
According to the roadmap, construction and demolition activity accounts for around half of all waste generated in Scotland, while emissions associated with construction activities were estimated to represent around 10% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2022.
Zero Waste Scotland said the roadmap is intended to help accelerate the adoption of circular economy practices across the sector, supporting a more sustainable model of development that operates within environmental limits while continuing to deliver economic growth.
Mission Board launched
A key intervention within the roadmap is the creation of the Mission Board, which will oversee delivery of the roadmap and help coordinate action across the sector.
The board has been established following extensive stakeholder engagement and systems analysis undertaken by Zero Waste Scotland. It will work alongside organisations across the built environment supply chain to support implementation of the roadmap’s 12 interventions.
These include expanding material reuse infrastructure, improving access to circular products and services, embedding circularity into procurement and policy frameworks, and working with finance and insurance providers to remove barriers to adopting circular economy practices.
Other interventions focus on building performance standards, metrics and evaluation, communications, tax and revenue frameworks, and reducing overall demand for materials through greater reuse, retrofit and refurbishment.
Professor Sean Smith, Mission Board Chair and Director of the Centre for Future Infrastructure at the University of Edinburgh, added: “I am delighted to see the formation of the built environment Mission Board.
“This is a sector which continuously underpins much of our economy, communities and society and can play a pivotal role in the acceleration of circular economy practices and outcomes, providing a positive legacy for our current and future generations.”
Chaired by Director of the Centre for Future Infrastructure at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Sean Smith, representatives also include the Association of British Insurers (ABI), British Standards Institution (BSI), Built Environment Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Scottish Building Federation (SBF), Scotland Excel, Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA), Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE), Skills Development Scotland (SDS), Supply Chain Sustainability School, and The Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland (RIAS).
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