13. Next steps Saul D Humphrey LLP is committed to driving more sustainable construction practices. Prioritising refurbishment and reuse over demolition is critical, alongside a broader push towards a circular economy. from the atmosphere, restoring ecosystems and strengthening resilience against the inevitable impacts of climate change. At Saul D Humphrey LLP, we recognise our responsibility as Project Managers to build a
better, more sustainable future. We’re dedicated to creating a built environment that protects our planet and delivers regenerative solutions, always respecting the Earth’s safe limits. After receiving the 2024 National Sustainability Award from the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB), Saul Humphrey was honoured to be described by the CIOB’s Chief Executive as representing the “very best in sustainable construction” ⁷⁰ . With over 50,000 members across 100 countries, the CIOB’s recognition is significant. However, an even greater privilege followed when Saul was named the next President of the CIOB - a role with the opportunity to influence the future priorities of the built environment. Saul intends to use this platform to drive a long-term strategic shift toward more sustainable development. For a partnership of just two people, Saul D Humphrey LLP’s scale of sustainable interventions is remarkable, but, with the support of all stakeholders, the ambition is to achieve much more. Our goal is nothing less than transforming traditional construction practices into ultra-sustainable development on every project. As we move forward, we should remember: “We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” Winston Churchill
Upskilling the workforce and accelerating the retrofit of existing homes must become top priorities. While expanding renewable energy is vital to reducing operational carbon emissions, we must also intensify efforts to cut embodied carbon. We advocate for the Whole Life Carbon for the Built Environment ⁶⁸ to become a globally recognised standard for consistent and accurate carbon measurement. This standard would provide transparency in data and decision-making, guiding design and development choices that focus on adaptation and retrofit over demolition. By making these practices the norm, we can significantly reduce embodied carbon and make responsible choices for the future. The built environment and construction sector are responsible for 38% to 40% of global carbon emissions. With the equivalent of a city the size of Paris built every week worldwide ⁶⁹ , we simply can’t continue with business as usual. Recent years have highlighted the dire consequences of inaction on climate change. With future global warming already set in motion by current carbon emissions, adapting the built environment is a necessity. High-quality carbon sequestration and credible offsets have a role to play, but we must also focus on reducing biodiversity loss and pollution. Our mission includes reducing emissions, removing excess greenhouse gases (GHGs)
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