The Procure Partnerships Framework has launched a new nationwide sustainability initiative in collaboration with 33 main contractors, aiming to improve environmental outcomes across their supply chain. Sustainability and social value have long been integral to the framework’s performance indicators, with over £147 million in social value generated by its contractor partners in the last year alone. The new initiative, Project Green, builds on this foundation by providing a focused platform to reduce carbon emissions, cut construction waste, promote green travel, and deliver environmental education and training. Contractors signed up to the initiative include Kier, GRAHAM Construction, Tilbury Douglas, BAM Construction, Seddon, and Wates Group. Their collective effort marks a shift from the framework’s previous Collaborative Working Groups, with the new initiative responding directly to government Net Zero targets and internal data that identified environmental themes as the least utilised within Procure Partnerships Frameworks’ reporting tool, Compliance Chain. Project Green’s scope includes carbon offsetting through activities such as tree planting, education programmes aimed at increasing sustainability awareness among both young people and adults, and initiatives to reduce environmental impact in day-to-day operations. This includes encouraging the use of non-toxic, refillable cleaning products within contractor offices. Since its launch in May, early results from Project Green have demonstrated a strong level of engagement. Contractors have reported the offsetting of 3,604 tonnes of carbon, the planting of over 16,000 trees, completion of more than 2.3 million green travel miles, and the delivery of upwards of 400 hours of sustainability-focused training. In a further example of commitment to operational change, contractor partner ETEC has adopted the use of Miniml, a zero-waste, eco-friendly cleaning solution, across its office sites. Importantly, Project Green is a voluntary commitment by framework contractors and operates separately from formal project-level environmental and social value obligations. The programme has been developed in response to a shared industry concern over the pace of change and the recognition that greater collaboration could accelerate tangible outcomes that benefit the environment. Jack Neath, social value advisor at Procure Partnerships Framework, said that the built environment has a central role to play in addressing climate change, noting that the construction sector is responsible for an estimated 45 per cent of the UK’s total carbon emissions. “Climate change is accelerating, and last year was the hottest on record. As a framework, we are uniquely positioned to encourage industry collaboration, and the response to Project Green has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear from the early outcomes that small, coordinated changes can deliver measurable impact. “What makes this initiative particularly powerful is that it sits entirely outside of our contractors’ formal framework-level obligations. They are choosing to work alongside us giving their time, resource and expertise because they genuinely share our vision. It’s no coincidence that our contractor partners deliver an average of 62% Social Value Add on their projects, well above national benchmarks. That commitment is what’s driving real change.” Maggie Hall, environmental & sustainability manager at BAM UK and Ireland, praised the framework for facilitating a collaborative environment: “BAM is delighted to support Procure Partnerships Framework’s environmental initiative. This forum allows us to share knowledge and align our sustainability ambitions with peers across the industry.” Stuart Darby, framework manager at GRAHAM, added: “We’re proud to be part of this initiative and fully support its goals. At GRAHAM, we’re committed to driving sustainable change and collaborating with partners to deliver lasting impact.” Lucy Davies, ESG director, Tilbury Douglas, said Project Green reflects the wider construction industry’s growing focus on climate literacy and environmental responsibility. “This is an area of strategic importance for Tilbury Douglas and one we are committed to. Climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is a present reality, with profound implications for future generations. “Project Green provides an opportunity for the industry to collaborate voluntarily and meaningfully outside of formal project obligations. Initiatives like this are critical to advancing environmental literacy, embedding climate responsibility across our value chain, and supporting a transition to a lower carbon future.” Procure Partnerships Framework has confirmed it will publish quarterly reports on Project Green’s outcomes and hold regular contractor meetings to review progress and plan future activity.   Contractors involved:

Willmott Dixon

Danaher and Walsh

BAM

Wates

Etec

Encon

Speller Metcalfe

Morris and Spottiswood

Carmelcrest

Seddon

Stepnell

Burmor Construction

Overbury

Tilbury Douglas

McLaren

Graham Construction

Bethell

Eric Wright

Vinci

Galliford Try

Borras

McLaughlin and Harvey

CR Reynolds

Thomas Sinden

Beard Construction

Quinn

Neilcott

Health Spaces

GF Tomlinson

Kier

Hutton

AR Demolition

Milestone Infrastructure

Plans to reinvigorate several units in Hull city centre have taken a step forward after a Decision Record agreeing to their sale was published. Hull City Council has facilitated Prospect 2024 LTD’s purchase of 41-79 King Edward Street and 46-54 Jameson Street. The disposal of council property helps to unlock external capital funding to bring forward new shop fronts as Prospect 2024 LTD aims to make the units more attractive to potential tenants. Plans are also in place to refurbish and convert vacant upper floors of the buildings to residential accommodation. It follows the company’s acquisition of and subsequent investment into The Prospect Centre last year, as well as existing units on King Edward Street near to the former Boots store. A condition of the proposed sale will be that Prospect 2024 LTD must complete a pre-agreed schedule of improvement works to the retail units with an agreed timescale, meaning regeneration will move at pace. Cllr Jackie Dad, deputy leader of the council whose portfolio includes land, property, assets and corporate buildings, said: “This investment from Prospect 2024 LTD is fantastic news for the city centre. “The company has already shown confidence in Hull city centre by purchasing The Prospect Centre last year and is now building on that with the units on King Edward Street and Jameson Street. “The council welcomes the proposed transformation and hope it inspires others in the private sector that Hull is a great place to invest and regenerate.” Prospect 2024 Ltd is part of a group of companies which have purchased and reinvigorated a number of shopping centres in the north of England in recent years, including Packhorse Shopping Centre in Huddersfield and The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield. Zahid Iqbal, Prospect 2024 LTD owner, said: “We have confidence in Hull as a major regional centre. “The work that has been done and is being done by the council and other city centre organisations is really turning Hull into a destination for visitors from further afield. “The number of new developments and new businesses is a testament to this and the ever-growing food scene is instrumental to this. “Hull is really gathering momentum and we are committed to bringing new operators into the city to support this.”