CIAT recognises that any construction project or development impacts on individuals, society and the natural environment and that the CIAT membership has a significant role in these processes. Decisions made at the design and detailed design stage can be pivotal in determining the sustainability of such projects. CIAT also recognises that achieving sustainable development is fundamental to improving the quality of life for all people across all nations.
CIAT defines sustainable development as
"Seeking to meet the needs of the present and aspirations for the future without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."
and recognises that this should be applied to all projects whether it is new build, conversion, adaptation, restoration, management or maintenance.
CIAT recognises that there are other influences involved in the development process, however it recommends that all its members move towards sustainability within all projects and developments in which they are involved.
In moving toward a more sustainable future, members should seek to answer the following questions:
In their professional behaviour, all members of CIAT should endeavour to:
In measuring progression toward a more sustainable future, members should use the following Key Environmental Performance Indicators as defined by Movement for Innovation, (some of these are still under development).
Operational Energy - (kg CO2 / m2 / year) - this is the carbon dioxide produced in supplying energy for the day to day operation of the building or structure. It excludes renewable energy. By measuring CO2, it encourages the use of renewable energy sources.
Embodied Energy - (Kg CO2 / m2) - this covers the energy used in the creation of the materials used in the construction. Again, by measuring CO2, it encourages the use of renewable energy sources.
Water - (m3 / person / year) - this measures the amount of mains water used in the operation of the completed building. Recycled or 'grey' water is excluded.
Waste in the Construction Process - (m3 / 100 m2 floor area) - this is the waste sent for disposal from site operations. It excludes waste specifically sent for recycling or reuse.
Biodiversity - this indicator will be used as a measure of actions that maintain, protect and improve the flora and fauna on site.
Transport - the purpose of this indicator is to measure the impact of the transport used to deliver materials and staff to site.
Further information to enable members establish, monitor and maintain sustainable development can be obtained from the following sources. Some of these sources contain general information but some are more specific as shown by the short excerpt from each site. CIAT accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, breadth or depth of information contained within these sources. Please feel free to comment on the usefulness of these sites or suggest additional sources by contacting us.
BEQUEST - an international network of academic and commercial interests working towards sustainable urban development in order to protect the environment and the quality of life for future generations.
BRECSU - Building Research Establishment Energy Conservation Support with information on the governments Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme.
CIB - International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions - Planning Sustainable Development: Towards Better Practice
DTI Sustainable Development Strategy - A strategy for simultaneously securing economic growth and environmental protection.
Earth Summit 2002 - a network and forum on sustainable development, which has promoted outcomes from the first Earth Summit in 1992 and is now working on preparations for Earth Summit 2002.
Earthscan - widely recognised as the UK's leading publisher of books on environment and sustainable development.
Ecoconstruction - Materials used for constructing houses frequently cause some environmental pollution during their production. This site is designed to help you increase the use of reclaimed and recycled materials and to help the Environment.
The Eden Project - promoting the understanding and responsible management of the vital relationship between plants, people and resources, leading towards a sustainable future for all.
Education for sustainable development (ESD) - an approach to the whole curriculum and management of a school, not a new subject. It has its roots in environmental education and development education. As a result, many of the building blocks of education for sustainable development are already present in every school.
The Encyclopaedia of Sustainable Development - a one-stop source of information on sustainable development.
Energy Technology Support Unit - internationally recognised centre of excellence in energy efficiency and sustainable energy technologies.
ESD - the leading international carbon management and sustainable energy company with a specialist UK staff of 45, offices in Nairobi and Sofia, affiliates in every European country and in most commerce regions beyond.
Friends of the Earth - inspires solutions to environmental problems, which make life better for people.
Implementing Sustainable Development in High Consumption Societies - A Comparative Assessment of National Strategies and Initiatives carried out by Sheffield University.
Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development - aims to make a worthwhile and significant contribution to sustainable development through research, consultancy and education provision of the highest standards. These activities help improve quality of life for communities and individuals, and facilitate wealth creation.
International Institute for Environment and Development - an independent, non-profit organisation promoting sustainable patterns of world development through collaborative research, policy studies, networking and knowledge dissemination.
International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology - provides a forum for report and discussion of issues and ideas surrounding the important concepts of sustainable development.
Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) - an international network of professionals committed to sustainable development. Its 1200 members from nearly 70 countries are drawn from business, media, public sectors, academia and non-government organisations.
National Green Specification - The NGS is a part of a gradual trend towards ready-made materials clauses or whole specification work sections.
National Strategies for Sustainable Development - Agenda 21, agreed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, called on all countries to introduce National Strategies for Sustainable Development (nssd).
New Scientist.com - NewScientist.com is your ultimate science and technology website
Queen's Award for Enterprise - Sustainable Development category.
Sustainability2000 - find out how government and industry worldwide tackle issues of sustainable development and how you can make your contribution.
Sustainable Design - facilitates discussion and research on eco-design and broader sustainability considerations in product and service development.
Sustainable Development for Building Professionals - designed to help building professionals find training courses to develop their capability in the field of sustainability, and aiming to address the current need for a central bank of information on sustainability training.
Sustainable Development Commission - aims to advocate sustainable development across all sectors in the UK, review progress towards it, and build consensus on the actions needed if further progress is to be achieved.
Sustainable Development - the Government's approach.
Sustainable Development in Wales - information about sustainable development, what it is, the Assembly’s duty to promote it and the action that’s being taken to fulfil that responsibility.
Sustainable Development International - showcasing case studies, technical and strategic articles which provide the theory on HOW to solve the problems in the field and surrounding these with the details of WHO to work with in solving these problems.
Sustainable Development Research Network - concerned with sustainable development research undertaken in the UK and, where relevant, elsewhere.
Sustainable Scotland - the site that brings together, in one place, much of the work under way in Scotland on sustainable development.
UKAEA Report - the Contribution of Fusion to Sustainable Development.
United Nations Environment Programme - a Sustainable Construction Forum set up to facilitate dialogue and exchange of information among key stakeholders, and with their constituencies, on issues related to sustainability in building and construction.
Women and Sustainable Development 2000 - 2002 - recommendations in Agenda 21 and Related Documents and Suggestions for a Review of Implementation.