1428808_Contracts for Climate Change – Contracts for Climat…

1428808_Contracts for Climate Change – Contracts for Climat…

Contracts for Climate Change – Summaries of Construction Clauses (2)

Each of the precedents has a child’s name chosen by the drafting team. This is to encourage long-term thinking and to focus on the next generation as they will be most affected by the serious consequences if we fail to effectively respond to the climate crisis.

CLIMATE RESILIENT LANDSCAPE DESIGN CONTRACT — EDGAR’S CLAUSE

CLIMATE ALIGNED CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT — FRANCIS’ CLAUSE

#biodiversity #landscaping #urbanisation

#waste #management #construction

Issue Developers typically neglect biodiversity, leaving land around new building projects undeveloped, or predominately developed using non-native species or hard landscaping materials, such as concrete. Solution Edgar’s Clause would incorporate into building contracts and landscape architecture appointments the requirement for new projects to efficiently design the available open area in a climate-conscious way. Impact Requiring developers to landscape open spaceswithnatural and biodiverse flora would increase habitat diversity in urbanised areas, lower CO2 emissions and encourage sustainable environment management systems.

Issue Landfill waste fromconstruction not only has a detrimental visual impact but generates methane and causes pollutants, toxins and leachates to enter waterways. Solution Francis’ Clause would impose positive contractual obligations around materials, waste management and disposal in construction contracts. Provisions would require early material assessments, site waste management plans and monitoring of KPIs. Impact Contractor accountability would incentivise climate- focused management, and the efficient disposal of materials and waste while consistently considering GHG emissions.

PROCUREMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS — TRISTAN’S CLAUSE

#budget #sustainabledevelopment #procurement

Issue Contractors and developers tend to prioritise cost over environmental benefits when selecting construction materials and processes, which creates unnecessarily high emissions, energy usage and landfill waste. Solution Tristan’s Clause would introduce a formal “Carbon Budget” and set a GHG emissions allowance for construction projects, which would encourage viewing the project’s lifecycle through an environmental lens. Impact The clause would shift attitudes and market standards towards procuring sustainable materials and processes, significantly reducing the climate impact of the construction industry.