The 89-page response published the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills claims it is just a “starting point” to the Government’s action plan for working with the industry to promote clarity, certainty and growth in low carbon construction.

The Government says it is making a “clear commitment to the low carbon transition which will create the certainty needed for companies to invest in essential new skills, processes and products.”

BIS says it is pursuing some areas with “particular vigour”, notably the establishment of a new joint Government and industry board – the Green Construction Board – which will work closely with the Strategic Forum for Construction to agree membership and terms of reference. The Board will be established from July 2011, with the first meeting taking place in September.

The Government also says it will “consider establishing an existing homes hub with the industry,” reporting to the Green Construction Board with their conclusions in autumn 2011.

Paul Morrel, Government chief construction advisor and author of the IGT’s final report said he was “delighted” the Government had taken on so many of the recommendations. “To ensure that construction rises to the low carbon challenge we need to continue this new level of cooperation”.

The UK Green Building Council has welcomed the Government response, calling it a “solid foundation” for building new relationships with the industry.

Chief executive of the UK GBC, Paul King, said: “The Green Construction Board has the potential to play a pivotal role in joining both industry and Government activities. However, for it to be successful, it needs to have a voice – with a genuine mandate to shape the policy landscape and ensure that Government is providing the right enabling conditions for industry to invest and deliver.”

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-sectors/docs/l/11-976-low-carbon-construction-action-plan.pdf

http://www.bis.gov.uk/constructionigt