Balfour Beatty - Corporate Responsibility Summary Report 2007

www.balfourbeatty.co.uk
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
Sustainable development is defined in various ways, but essentially it is
about ensuring that progress does not damage the opportunities of
future generations.
At the cutting edge
“The industry has an opportunity to
transform the way that infrastructure is
created.”
Sustainable construction is the sum of the many processes through which a
profitable and competitive industry delivers built assets to enhance quality of
life and meet stakeholder expectations.
In previous years, we have explored the key role that the construction
industry has to play in the quest for a sustainable future. The industry has an
opportunity to transform the way that infrastructure is created, by rethinking
the way it designs and uses resources to create and maintain assets that
meet the needs of society.
Key concepts are partnership and innovation. By engaging with customers,
end-users and local communities, a shared understanding of the needs and
impacts of schemes can be created, alongside a view of what is technically
possible and affordable.
Translating this into reality involves designers, contractors and suppliers
working together to embrace new ideas and technology and to generate
innovative solutions.
Our aims
One phrase summarises our basic approach - doing business with integrity.
This means that we aim to:
create shareholder value through meeting clients' expectations;
ensure the safety and health of our workforce and others;
engage with communities and those affected by our activities; and
protect the environment.
Our normal activities already incorporate many aspects of good practice and
contribute to sustainable development. But building on this and integrating it
into all our activities will be critical to our future success. In order to attract
high calibre employees, win prestigious and demanding contracts, thrive
financially and maintain the confidence and support of our shareholders and
non-executive Directors, we need to embrace the sustainable development
agenda fully.
Our progress
In order to attract high calibre employees, win prestigious and demanding
contracts, thrive financially, and maintain the confidence and support of our
shareholders and non-executive Directors we aim to work sustainably.
In 2003 we aimed to spread the understanding of sustainable construction
into our business:
we cascaded our briefing on sustainable development into our operating
companies;
Balfour Beatty Capital completed a wide-ranging and ground-breaking
review of the implications of sustainable development for our PFI business,
whose concession contracts are typically 25-30;
we sponsored an MSc student to examine sustainable construction and the
results were published by the Institution of Civil Engineers; and
we continued to support our young engineers participating in the second
phase of 'Engineers for the 21st Century Inquiry' led by Forum for the
Future.
In 2004 we continued to share and promote sustainable development
throughout the Group.
Balfour Beatty Capital built on their 2003 review into sustainable
development in PFI, and took the lead in compiling, with other operating
companies, a register of our capability and track record in sustainable
development - to build capacity and share good practice
We contributed to the Green Alliance's review of sustainability in
government procurement, especially in PFI projects
One of our young engineers trialled a web-based network for our young
professionals, to share ideas on sustainable construction