Introduction
The following article provides an example of the ICE communication task. The example shown may not be perfect but was deemed sufficient for a pass.
The communication task typically provides 2 scenarios to write about and each one is set with a specific format. The ‘Communication Task Plan’ section shows the first format and scenario that was set followed by some notes and ideas to write about, then the second format and scenario that was set followed by some notes and ideas to write about. After review of each format and scenario it was decided to complete the communication task for the first format and scenario. The ‘Communication Task Response’ provides the completed work in line with the format and scenario that was chosen.
Communication Task Plan
Format 1
Write a blog for people with a technical background but without specialist knowledge in civil engineering.
Scenario 1
Decarbonisation and Net Zero are key drivers not only for the construction industry, but for the world. However, current commercial and contractual structures do not usually prioritise them, giving more importance to price, the programme and the delivery team.
Carbon calculators
Educate others of the implications of not prioritizing carbon
Tenders traditionally based on cost and programme
User may see little reward to themselves of decarbonization
Some companies try to decarbonize and achieve net zero but not everyone does, so everyone should have the same requirements
Government want to achieve netzero by 2050, but not all countries have the same goal
There needs to be more legislation from the government to cut carbon
Institutions like ICE can promote and educate netzero
Contracts in construction could be updated with clauses for decarbonization and netzero
Format 2
You have been asked to write a piece by a journalist about this scenario/situation for inclusion in an industry supplement.
Scenario 2
With climate change, extreme weather is becoming more common and it is increasingly apparent that the current codes and standards do not account for future risks. The standards may not be adequate or fit for purpose, and Civil Engineers must play a role in providing future resilience.
HSE have legislation and standards for health and safety, over the coming years then climate change needs to have similar amount of legislation and standards to account for future risks.
Eurocode considers extreme weather in 1 in ‘x’ amount of years depending on the scenario, however as extreme weather becomes more common then the code needs to be updated.
Choose question 1
Communication Task Response
How current commercial and contractual structures are affecting the decarbonisation and NetZero key drivers in the construction industry and the world
Introduction
The world is at risk from the constant rise in carbon emissions, causing climate change, adverse weather conditions, rising sea levels, and droughts. To tackle this many industries are looking into how they can implement decarbonisation and achieve the goal of NetZero to help save the world that we live in. The construction industry is a key contributor to the carbon emissions and therefore the focus is shifting towards reducing carbon, however there are many in the industry, and in many other industries around the world, that still concentrate on traditional priority of price, programme, and the delivery team; it is these current commercial and contractual structures that will affect the goal of achieving NetZero. The following blog explains the problems and ways to improve the situations.
Review of current commercial and contractual structures affecting decarbonisation and NetZero
Before carbon reduction became as important as it is today, the construction industry have always concentrated on price, programme, and the delivery team. The structure typically involved the clients issuing tender information for contractors to provide a bid which would include price and programme, the client could then review the different bids and often choose the lowest price or best programme, and then contracts would be signed with costs and deadlines agreed. It is easy to see why this structure was always used from a business point of view, for example if a client wants a new building, then that client will want to save as much money as possible to result in making larger profits, or alternatively will want the building to be open as soon as possible to start making money from the business. The problem now arises from the effects of carbon emissions and therefore traditional structures need to be reviewed and updated to consider decarbonisation and achieving NetZero, but the question is of how this can be done when so many in the industry want to continue with traditional structures.
The UK government have a set a goal to achieve a goal of achieving NetZero by 2050, therefore it is important to consider the carbon produced. The construction industry has created carbon calculators which will help with decarbonisation if they are implemented in current commercial and contractual structures. i.e. with every tender package there is a requirement to achieve a set carbon limit, and eventually by 2050 NetZero, which can be proved by submitting results from a carbon calculator. Currently some carbon calculations concentrate on the categories of A1-A5 (materials and construction), however it is important to also consider the use, end of life, and recycling.
There is inconsistency across the current structures which are affecting decarbonisation and NetZero. As mentioned, the UK government want to achieve NetZero by 2050 however all countries around the world have different levels of effort to achieve NetZero, likewise if we specifically look at the construction industry, many companies within construction have varying levels of effort of achieving NetZero, while some companies have set their own goals there are other companies that haven’t. It is this inconsistency that will affect decarbonisation and NetZero. For example, a client focused on cost and programme is unlikely to choose a company who are more expensive because they have significant costs in reducing carbon. It is important that there is consistency which would be achieved by both educating all parties and also bringing in more legislation. If we look at health and safety, there are several legislation documents and standards, over the coming years hopefully the same will apply in decarbonization as it will be one of the most effective ways of ensuring everyone is trying to achieve the same goal of NetZero.
Education will be important in improving the current structures, if clients and contractors are made more aware of decarbonisation and NetZero then this will be beneficial for all. For example, timber is very effective in reducing carbon, once the tree is cut down it is storing a lot carbon that it has taken out of the air and new trees can be planted, however some clients would prefer to use traditional construction methods such as steel and concrete, this can be due to cost or programme, but also familiarity of steel and concrete, and also sometimes insurance of the structure can be an aspect, therefore it is important to educate everyone. There are many institutions in the construction industry such as the Institution of Civil Engineers who are helping to educate and promote decarbonisation and NetZero.
It would be beneficial if contracts within the construction industry were to be updated to include clauses and penalties for failing to achieve NetZero on a project, this could be assessed by reviewing the carbon calculations as mentioned previously. Currently companies are likely to concentrate on minimal cost to increase profit, even if it means producing designs that are higher carbon, however if it is included in the contract then it has to be included, as the risk or a fine gives the company an incentive to achieve reduced carbon requirements, this would be very effective in design and build projects where the contractor is responsible for the design of the structures and also building the structure.
Summary
This blog explains the many issues with the current commercial and contract structures and how prioritizing on price, programme, and the delivery team will affect decarbonisation and NetZero, the list below summarises key points.
The problems with current commercial and contract structures include:
Traditionally tenders are based on cost and programme because carbon never used to be as important.
Many in the industry see little reward to themselves for decarbonisation.
Some companies try to decarbonise and achieve net zero but not everyone does, so everyone should have the same requirements.
The UK Government wants to achieve NetZero by 2050, but not all countries or companies have the same goal.
Ways of improving the current structures are summarized below:
Introduce carbon calculation as a necessary requirement.
Educate others of the implications of not prioritizing decarbonisation and NetZero.
Contracts in construction could be updated with clauses for decarbonisation and NetZero.ieves decarbonissation and NetZero.
Institutions like the ICE can promote and educate decarbonisation and NetZero
Contracts in construction could be updated with clauses for decarbonization and NetZero.
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