The current status of environmental management systems in construction

Many organizations within the construction industry are becoming increasingly aware of the growing need for improved environmental performance within the scope of their business activities. Their interests are twofold, first in anticipation of increasingly stringent governmental legislation, both national and international, and second in response to the rising concern demonstrated by the general public for environmental issues. To meet increasing future expectations, a number of organizations within construction have implemented or are considering the development of a formal and structured environmental management system. This paper examines some of the principal issues associated with the development of environmental management systems within construction. Drawing upon a series of interviews with major construction clients, consultants and contracting organizations within the UK, investigation identifies the present level of awareness, raises current concerns and issues and looks at the likely future orientation of environmental management systems within the construction industry.