National Federation of Builders Major Contractors Declare Climate Emergency

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) Major Contractors Group (MCG) has thrown its support behind the #ConstructionDeclares movement, the first and currently only trade association representing main contractors to do so.

 

#ConstructionDeclares is a global petition uniting all strands of construction and the built environment. It is both a public declaration of the planet’s environmental crises and a commitment to take positive action in response to climate breakdown and biodiversity collapse. The declaration includes eleven points that the signatories commit to, including pledging to reduce embodied carbon by at least 40% by 2030, based on the World Green Building Council call to action.

 

The Major Contractors Group of the NFB represents main contractors with turnover of £40m+.  Last year, the group published a landmark report entitled ‘Transforming Construction for a Low Carbon Future’ positing that main contractors were uniquely placed to influence clients and their supply chains in delivering a low carbon future. The Group intends to publish a second report later this year which will act as a handbook for main contractors on how to decarbonise their businesses and projects.

 

Commenting, Mark Wakeford, Joint Managing Director of Stepnell Ltd and Chair of the NFB MCG said:

 

“The construction industry directly accounts for 10% of the country’s emissions and influences 47% of all emissions. The structure and nature of our fragmented industry makes rapid and coordinated change difficult but as main contractors we have a uniquely influential position between the client and the supply chain. We’ve taken the step of issuing our declaration on the climate emergency as well as pledging our support for a reduction in embodied carbon. A low carbon future for construction is not just a reality but a necessity and we’re determined to show that contractors can commercially embrace decarbonisation, delivering a profitable service and securing our planet’s future”.

 

The NFB MCG is encouraging all main contractors to sign up to the declaration. To do so, visit: https://uk.buildersdeclare.com/

 

The Group is currently undertaking research into main contractor’s decarbonisation efforts to date which will help form the insight into its future reports. To complete the survey, visit: ow.ly/zo6K50AYeN5

National Federation of Builders

The National Federation of Builders is a United Kingdom trade association representing the interests of small and medium-sized building contractors in England and Wales.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

95% of estate agents say homebuying reforms could speed up property transactions

The latest survey by GetAgent.co.uk has found overwhelming support from estate agents for the Government’s proposed homebuying reforms, with the vast majority believing the changes will create a faster, more stable and more efficient property market. The proposed reforms are designed to modernise the homebuying process by introducing greater upfront information, earlier legal certainty and measures…
Read More
Breaking News

Private rent and house prices, UK: July 2026

1. Main points Average UK monthly private rent increased by 3.3%, to £1,388, in the 12 months to June 2026 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate remained unchanged from the 12 months to May 2026. Average rents increased to £1,446 (3.4%) in England, £843 (4.9%) in Wales, and £1,012 (1.3%) in Scotland, in the 12 months…
Read More
what is happening to house prices
Breaking News

Tenant demand continues to strengthen in Q2

The latest research by The Letting Partnership has found that tenant demand across England continued to strengthen during the second quarter of 2026, with 29.7% of all rental listings already securing a tenant. Demand has increased by 2.3% over the quarter and now sits 0.3% higher than the same time last year, demonstrating the continued…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 22/7/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.     More kite flying on capping rents creates new uncertainty for investors Official data undermines rent cap folly as Burnham yo-yoing creates damaging market uncertainty More kite flying on capping rents has created new uncertainty for investors at the worst possible time. Analysis of…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Conveyancing keeps providing stability in uncertain market

New research from Lyons Bowe solicitors has found that conveyancing costs have remained remarkably steady as a proportion of house prices across the UK, providing essential reliability for homebuyers during another year of market and economic uncertainty. Lyons Bowe’s analysis found that the average cost of purchasing a freehold property increased from £1,383 in April 2025…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Political uncertainty adds to the many distractions for summer buyers

The average asking price of newly-listed homes for sale drops by 1.0% (-£3,832) this month to £372,359, substantially larger than the average July drop over the last ten years of 0.2%, as new sellers try to tempt summer buyers who are facing many distractions: Number of available homes for sale is 1% below this time…
Read More