UK environment minister Michael Meacher has pledged strong support to a new partnership that aims to bring sustainable construction to towns and cities around the world. And his comments have been welcomed by the UK joinery sector.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Global Alliance for Building Sustainability (GABS) in Johannesburg Mr Meacher welcomed the recognition that the built environment was a major contributor to global warming.

He said it was important that the initiative did not operate simply in the UK and added: “The fact that it is genuinely global is to be admired and supported.”

He acknowledged the role of the London-based global research charity, the RICS Foundation, in founding the Global Alliance which is uniting the land, property, construction and development sectors.

Mr Meacher said GABS would play a crucial role in ensuring that professionals exchanged best practice and that gaps between policy and practice were bridged.

&#8220It is essential that the construction industry works towards the most sustainable way of operating”

Richard Lambert

While noting the importance of business within the process, he commended the Global Alliance for involving governments, the non-governmental sector and international bodies such as the United Nations Environmental Programme.

Richard Lambert, director of the British Woodworking Federation, said: “It is essential that the construction industry works towards the most sustainable way of operating. What is built is around for a long time.”

He said sustainability should be an important factor in both new build and refurbishment of existing buildings. “It’s about the life cycle of the building. It’s not simply the matter of putting it up and taking it down.”

Mr Lambert said technological improvements in wood coatings, with the increased use of water-borne technology, had added to timber’s reputation as being probably the most sustainable form of window.