<p>The construction industry and government must “act now” to meet the UK’s 2050 zero carbon target, according to the National Federation of Builders.</p> <p>Launching a report - <i>Transforming Construction for a Low Carbon Future</i> - today (November 11), the NFB’s Major Contractors Group (MCG) urges for the construction sector to be “transformed within a generation, otherwise it will have failed the country and the government will fail in its zero carbon ambitions”. </p> <p>The MCG states that, with construction directly influencing 47% of UK carbon emissions and 61% of UK waste, the sector has a critical role in the “radical change needed”.</p> <p>Describing the report as a “call to arms”, the MCG recommends, among other measures, that the government provides clear guidance on how the country will achieve zero carbon by 2050, creating a “Ministry of Carbon” to direct activities.</p> <p>And, the MCG said, construction clients should use performance-based targets and “Government Soft Landings” to ensure that the carbon production of a new building is the same once built as in design. "Clients must be open to innovation in both products that may be specified and in methods that are used to deliver them," it added.</p> <p>Nick Sangwin, NFB’s chairman, …