I was interested to read your article 鈥淛olly green clients鈥� (21 July, page 44), which highlighted the bewilderment that still surrounds the term 鈥渟ustainability鈥�.

It is not surprising that people are confused by it when other words such as 鈥済reen鈥�, 鈥渆nergy efficiency鈥� and 鈥淐O2 emissions鈥� are bandied about with little regard to their

true meaning. The Oxford English Dictionary gives definitions for the word sustain as:

鈥�1 To strengthen or support something; 2 to bear the weight of something; 3 to keep something going over time; or 4 to suffer something unpleasant.鈥� Until fairly recently, most people seem to have been split between numbers three and four.

Nowadays, number three is the most popular definition, and I believe the key to keeping something going over time is collaboration. We must work together from the concept stage to examine everything that produces the environmental impact of a new or refurbished building. This responsibility falls on everybody involved in the project. Once we have identified the elements, we can then go about finding the most suitable and cost-effective way to deal with them.

Doug Hillman, RLF London

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