Research by topic: Sustainability and the built environment

Projects underway

Biodiversity Net Gain Principles and Guidance for UK construction and developments

In partnership with both CIEEM and IEMA, CIRIA is developing new guidance to help professionals and UK industry address this challenge and to achieve ‘Net Gain’ targets for biodiversity.

The benefits of SuDS (BeST)

CIRIA has developed a new, free tool and guidance, BeST (Benefits of SuDS Tool, W045) for use on PC.

Biodiversity interest group

CIRIA's biodiversity interest group is an opportunity for our members to come together and share information, discuss key topics, network and help shape CIRIA's work in this area.

Working with wildlife - an application

CIRIA and The Ecology Consultancy are working together to develop a mobile application based on the toolbox talks, species and habitat briefings, to help construction professionals use the guidance on construction sites.

NERC Environmental Risks to Infrastructure Programme (ERIIP)

The Environmental Risks to Infrastructure Innovation Programme is a five-year, £5m initiative, which will be driven by the needs of the business community and decision-makers.

Minimising risk through responsible sourcing

CIRIA is working in partnership with APRES and Responsible Solutions to develop practical guidance to assist the procurement of key materials for construction projects.

Project proposals

Expansion of environmental toolbox talks

CIRIA will liaise with CECA and Build UK to expand the suite of toolbox talks and provide up-to-date, comprehensive guidance and learning tools to the industry.

Effective management of environmental issues in facilities management (P3066)

CIRIA is proposing to develop a one-day training course that helps delegates understand the key environmental issues to manage during facilities management activities and the good practice to be implemented on a day-to-day basis.

Supporting environmental good practice on site through e-learning

CIRIA is proposing to develop a series of e-learning modules that build on the content of the fourth edition of the Environmental good practice on site guide (C741) and the existing accompanying one-day classroom training course (IEMA approved).

Delivering green infrastructure along linear assets

This project seeks to produce a range of outputs for clients and planners, highlighting examples of good practice on implementing green infrastructure along the linear infrastructure network and in doing so help share good practice between ...

Working with wildlife - supporting effective management on construction projects

This project will update CIRIA’s Working with wildlife: guidance for the construction industry (C691) by reflecting changes in regulation, legislation and development in practice since its publication in 2011

Managing archaeology in construction - effective management in terrestrial, intertidal and marine...

This project will support the realisation of the benefits that archaeology can bring to projects; building on CIRIA’s current guidance – Archaeology and development - a good practice guide to managing risk and maximising benefit (C672).

Delivering wellbeing at site level

While regulations require health and safety hazards and risks to be prevented and strictly controlled, there are no specific legal requirements for workers’ physical and mental health.

Invasive species - supporting effective management on construction projects

This project will update CIRIA’s previous guidance and will be complemented by a series of briefings describing individual invasive species and detailing the relevant techniques to manage them.