Paris Agreement gives Global Business climate clarity, now it’s time to take action
The new climate deal reached recently in Paris has been praised by business leaders across the globe, but they must now put their money where their mouths are and back up that praise with investment in shifting to a greener world. The accord gives companies a helping hand in steering both themselves and the global […]
Green Data Centre Market Set To Skyrocket In 2016
Last week’s news that digital giant Google plan to buy enough renewable energy to power two cities to provide for its data centres is a clear indication that the data centre market is going green in a major way in the next 12 months. In fact, according to a new survey, the global market for […]
UK Construction Businesses Commit To Carbon Reduction at COP21
COP21’s Buildings Day has seen many major UK contractors and developers pledge to reduce their carbon emissions. The 2nd December event, held during the global climate summit in Paris, was firmly aimed at getting the buildings and construction sectors to take action to combat emissions from built environments. UK-based sector leaders, such as Sir Robert McAlpine, […]
Considering Buying Into BREEAM In 2016?
Developed 25 years ago by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), BREEAM has now become an internationally respected building sustainability assessment tool. Today, as it celebrates its 25th birthday with over 425,000 buildings assessed to date, BREEAM continues to help raise standards for sustainability in the UK and internationally with its robust assessment system. But what […]
The Home Supply Chain Sustainability Launch
The Home Supply Chain Sustainability School was launched on the 3rd of November at the London RIBA headquarters. This is a free online tool which aims to promote sustainable practices within the construction industry from all involved; from supplier to occupier and all those involved in between. The website provides a variety of resources for […]
How Energy Efficient Is Your Business Sector?
It’s no surprise that Businesses use the lion’s of the total energy consumed in the UK, but is your business sector a winner or loser in the energy efficiency stakes? Our latest infographic is here to help find out not only whether your sector is the biggest winner or loser in the energy usage and […]
Reading’s Solar Panel Scheme To Beat Government Subsidy Cuts
While Government subsidies for solar panels will drop by 87% on January 1st 2016, Reading Borough Council will be working with community organisation Energy4All to install solar panels for 28 buildings around the county. While the subsidy cuts are a blow to many looking to reap the rewards of solar energy, Energy4All as a community […]
Is Your Business Ready For The ESOS Compliance Deadline?
Recently, The Environment Agency pushed the deadline for UK businesses to carry out and submit the results of an Environmental Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) audit to January 2016. This is partially due to only around 600 of the 14,000 affected businesses having completed an audit thus far. Unsure if your business must carry out […]
Energy Union Commission Ready To Step In On EU Renewables Target
Vice president of The Energy Union Commission Maros Sefcovic’ “State of the Energy Union” address has outlined that the Commission will, if necessary, introduce measures and policies to complement the actions of Member States to reach the EU-wide renewables target by 2030. The Commission must now define the circumstances under which it would intervene, and […]
Energy Secretary Accused Of Misleading Public On Renewables Targets
A leaked letter which predicts the UK will fail to meet its EU obligation to generate 15% of energy from renewables by 2020 has left Energy Secretary Amber Rudd accused of misleading the public. The letter, sent by Rudd and obtained by The Ecologist Magazine, discloses the department’s internal forecasts, which say the UK […]
It May Be The End Of The Road For CRC
HM Treasury have hinted that the Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme (CRC) may be scrapped entirely as part of a planned overhaul of current business energy taxes. George Osborne announced plans to reduce the “alphabet soup” of environmental policies; with the aim of streamlining a raft of overlapping environmental policies and […]
The Environment Agency Effectively Extend The ESOS Compliance Deadline
For those businesses concerned with meeting the December 5th deadline for Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) submissions; the Environment Agency have now confirmed that businesses are unlikely to face punitive action on the proviso that they have achieved ESOS compliance by January 29th 2016. At the same time, the Environment Agency has also been confirmed […]
IEA: Renewables will dominate new electricity capacity thanks to falling costs
Thanks to their falling costs and continued rapid expansion in emerging economies; Renewables are set to represent the largest source of growth in electricity generating capacity over the next five years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s Medium Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2015. This growth means that renewables could result in global electricity […]
Update On The Power Market For 28th August 2015
UK gas and power prices have changed little since they reached their annual low last week (17.08. – 23.08.2015). This is due to a good current supply as well as a low summer demand. What also prevents prices from increasing is the good supply of LNG. In August, a total of nine tankers of LNG […]
Update On The Power Market For 21st August 2015
UK gas and power prices have reached their new annual low after slightly recovering recently. This is mainly due to importing LNG and a decrease of oil prices. Nevertheless, the supply- demand balance is healthy at the moment. Maintenance work in Norway is cutting UK imports, but at the same time LNG stocks are reduced […]
Impact of MEES on lease negotiations
Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) will influence lease negotiations under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (the “1954 Act”). By now measures, which improve the environmental sustainability of buildings are included automatically in commercial leases. With the introduction of MEES, this issue might begin again for renewals under the “1954 Act”. However, some hurdles may […]
Update on the Power Market for 14th August 2015
China has devalued its currency, the Yuan, therefore meaning that the cost for imported crude oil for China has increased. Due to China being one of the world’s largest energy consumers it will affect prices across the global energy market. There are still economic concerns around Greece which is further adding to the weak price […]
New requirements for Display Energy Certificates
Since the Energy Performance of Buildings regime came into effect in January 2013, the requirements for EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) and DECs (Display Energy Certificate) have changed; all former regulations relating to EPCs and DECs are no longer in force. On 9 July 2015 another change came into force. Changes had to be made due […]
Residential Energy Storage
A ‘Certificate of Sustainability’ has been awarded to the Megellan Residential Energy Storage System (RES1), meaning it has been approved for use by Western Power (Western Australia utility). The RES1 is a system that has been designed to store solar power produced during daylight hours for use at night. The system involves a 5kVA […]
Electricity and Gas Weekly Market Update for 22nd June 2015
Electricity and Gas Weekly Market Update for 22nd June 2015 We are expecting quite a comfortable week for the energy market. With regards to supply, we are expecting to receive a LNG cargo which is the first was have seen for a few weeks. With regards to supply, temperatures are supposed to increase above seasonal […]
Energy Related Products (ErP) Directive 2015
As of September 2015, new legislation will come into effect, the Energy Related Products (ErP) Directive. It has been designed to help the EU meet its target of reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2020. To do this, the directive will dictate minimum efficiency standards for all space and water heaters, employing the same energy […]
Changing Regulations: Construction Design Management
As of April 2015, the Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations 2015 replaced the 2007 Regulations as the old regulations were not in complete compliance EU Directive 92/57/ECC. CDM Regulations govern the management practices in place to protect the health and welfare of workers, occupants and the public from design stage through to post construction. For […]
EU phase out of Halogen lighting
The European Commission have recently proposed that its plan to completely phase-out D-class halogen lamps by 2016 should be postponed by two years, bringing it to back to 2018. This has subsequently been agreed by EU Member States and will now go ahead. The EC have specified that by switching from halogen lamps to LED, […]
Sustainable Ventilation
In order to achieve increased levels of sustainability, improved air tightness can be effective, through minimising heat loss. The need for this improvement in ventilation systems within new, more sustainable housing has been reiterated through Building Regulations Parts F and L. These regulations are pushing for more sustainable solutions to create more energy efficient homes. […]
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