Competence framework for sustainability in the built environment
Competence framework for sustainability in the built environment
The Final Seed Document version of ‘Competence frameworks for the built environment – Core criteria for sustainability competence – Code of practice’ launched on Febraury 27th 2025
Achieving a sustainable built environment—covering buildings, infrastructure, and external works—is essential to addressing climate and biodiversity challenges while meeting national and international commitments. The sector must collaborate to drive transformation in building safety and develop interlocking competencies across all disciplines based on a shared understanding.
To support this, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Edge have jointly published the ‘Competence Framework for Sustainability in the Built Environment’, a foundation for discipline-specific sustainability competencies. Drafted as a Seed Document for a future British Standard in the BSI’s Competence in the Built Environment series, it builds on BS 8670: Part 1 (Competence for Building Safety, 2024). Developed under Workstream 10 of CIC’s Climate Action Plan, the framework was coordinated by the Edge, with support from UCEM, through extensive cross-sector consultation.
The framework aims to:
a) Establish core sustainability criteria,
b) Enable sector-specific competence frameworks, and
c) Promote a consistent approach across the built environment.
Designed for clients, professionals, contractors, manufacturers, and regulators, the framework defines sustainability through five core criteria: Potential (natural systems, resources, energy, and social impact); People (education, behaviour, and teamwork); Process (finance, risk, and technology); Projects (land use, infrastructure, and buildings); and Performance (monitoring, resilience, and emergency response). It also sets out five competence stages: Recognise, Analyse, Apply, Achieve, and Advance.
