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

AI in estate agency letting agency property
Estate Agent Talk

AI property search not yet mainstream

The latest research by GetAgent.co.uk has revealed that while artificial intelligence is increasingly being embraced across the property industry, the technology has yet to become a mainstream tool for buyers and sellers when it comes to searching for and marketing homes. GetAgent commissioned a survey* of UK estate agents to understand how widely AI-powered search…
Read More
Breaking News

70% of Britain’s housing market is in recovery with prices trending upwards

The latest research from Yopa reveals that 70% of the British housing market is now in recovery with prices trending upwards following the challenging conditions of the past two years. This is despite the broader national picture showing that average house prices have edged down over the last six months. Yopa analysed six months of…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 12/3/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   ‘The actual work, making smart procurement decisions, protecting the owner’s budget was buried under a mountain of emails and calls’ Rihards Trops CEO of TenderPro   Every property manager knows the feeling. You need to find a contractor, get three comparable quotes, coordinate site visits,…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Act already driving surge in tenant complaints

“Renters’ Rights effect” drives unprecedented demand dispute resolution Industry redress scheme flooded with enquiries ahead of Act going live in May   THE IMPENDING implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act has already led to unprecedented demand for The Property Ombudsman’s services, as more tenants seek support to resolve disputes fairly and independently. In the four…
Read More
Breaking News

Rights Act: Key changes renters need to know — new rules start on 1 May 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act is a major overhaul of the rules that govern renting in England, the biggest in decades. Propertymark, the UK’s leading body for property professionals, wants renters to understand what’s coming and how it will affect them. The next wave of changes under the Act will take effect on 1 May 2026.…
Read More
Breaking News

What Would Make Me Stay: How Tenants Are Redefining What Home Really Means

68% of tenants say the single biggest factor that would make them stay in their rental home long term is the relationship with their landlord or agent, above rent levels, location, or the quality of the property itself. That is the headline finding from LRG’s Winter 2025/26 Lettings Report, and it points to something the…
Read More