BWF representatives attended a meeting this morning to finalise the information report which forms the first stage of the Windows Roadmap project. Now we know what the problems are, we need to start looking at the solutions.
The Windows Roadmap project is part of the UK Government’s response to the EU’s Communication on Integrated Product Policy. This instructed member states to look at the production and consumption life-cycles of products which have particularly high environmental impacts, and work with industry to improve their sustainability. The product areas were identified following several studies, which found that food and drink, transport, buildings and appliances and clothing were the four product groups with the highest environmental impacts across the lifecycle. The project is co-ordinated by DEFRA, and in the construction sector, is concentrating on plasterboard, toilets and windows, although it is likely that it will want to apply the lessons learned to other products in time. The plasterboard roadmap was launched last year.
The intention is that the projects will develop ‘roadmaps’ towards more sustainable consumption and production. The report which was finalised, to be published in June, draws together current knowledge on the production of windows and the environmental, economic and social impacts they create. From this we need to develop a picture of how the product needs to evolve to improve its sustainability and what needs to be done to reach that point. This will be the next stage of the project following the launch of the information report.
DEFRA wants the roadmap to be a collaboration between government and industry. If it is going to work, it cannot impose a set of solutions to problems which the industry does not acknowledge. Industry’s support for the roadmap process and its commitment to make it work is essential. DEFRA has hinted that the partnership aspect of the roadmap means that the Government may be able to provide support – financial as well as moral – to move the roadmap forward.
The BWF and Wood Window Alliance are already working on projects to establish the environmental impacts of window manufacture. These started off as seeking to prove wood windows’ sustainability credentials, but have proved more valuable in showing the areas where we need to improve. The roadmap project offers a real opportunity for the windows industry to engage with Government on an area close to our hearts. It will also enable us to understand and influence the range of environmental initiatives which could affect us which are being considered within Government.