Reading my mind

Coincidence? A few days after I discussed the BREEAM sustainability standards and criteria for buildings on this blog, the Welsh Assembly Government today announced that all buildings funded by the Assembly Government must achieve an 'excellent' BREEAM rating. About time, too.

This is part of a commitment for all new buildings in Wales to be zero-carbon from 2011 onwards, five years ahead of a general UK-wide commitment for new homes to be zero-carbon by 2016. This condition of WAG funding should, we're told, be fully in place in six months time. Public spending and procurement can play a vital role in support for sustainable construction and design and the hope is that as reaching the higher levels of BREEAM becomes commonplace, the public sector will follow suit too.