PFI Sustainability Evaluation Tool

Climate change is the greatest environmental threat facing the UK. In response the British Government has set a number of challenging targets to limit climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as Carbon Dioxide. As the built environment accounts for almost half of the UK’s total carbon dioxide emissions, the design, construction and operation of buildings has a major role to play in reducing the level of greenhouse gas emissions. This Sustainability Evaluation Tool has been created to assess the sustainability of building designs procured through the Private Finance Initiative, and other procurement routes which utilise a ‘dialogue’ style procurement. This version of the Tool has been designed specifically for use on the procurement of sheltered accommodation and extra-care schemes, however, many of the issues examined cut across all building types. The Sustainability Evaluation Tool aims to highlight the strengths and weakness of new build or refurbishment schemes and is directed towards helping to achieve high quality, sustainable designs, to ensure compliance with legislation and best-practice guidance, and to educate developers and procurement teams on issues relating to sustainability in the build environment.The Tool rewards efforts to reduce both fuel poverty and the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the construction and operation of buildings.