Get Sust! Issue 34

Have your say: should JCT contracts help drive sustainability?

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has launched an industry consultation on its proposal to include stronger sustainability performance provisions in its building contracts.

This could have far-reaching consequences, and the JCT is keen to get a very broad range of comments on its proposals.

Launching the consultation, Professor Peter Hibberd, secretary general of JCT, said: “As over 70 per cent of all building contracts are under a JCT form, we have an opportunity to gain consensus from, and perhaps provide leadership to, the industry to help improve its record on sustainability.

“The construction industry generally appears to accept that something has to be done about sustainability, and as it is the largest industry in the economy, it has to take responsibility, and to some degree leadership, in introducing changes.”

This is a great opportunity for Get Sust! readers to influence building contracts in favour of sustainable construction. But there’s not much time – the consultation ends on 29 February 2008.

Learn more:

	•	The JCT was set up by the industry some 75 years ago as a ‘consensual contract-drafting body’. This not-for-profit organisation includes RIBA, RICS, BPF, LGA, and the Construction Confederation.
	•	Download the background briefing paper and a feedback form from the JCT website: www.jctltd.co.uk.
	•	The closing date for responses is February 29, 2008.