The Good Homes Alliance and Bioregional, supported by the UK Green Building Council and LETI (the Low Energy Transformation Initiative), have expressed concerns to the Government over the adequacy and potential drawbacks of the Future Homes Standard consultation draft. The letter, addressed to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Department for Environment, Sustainability and […]

New natural flood management funding

Natural flood management schemes are to receive £25m of Government funding to mitigate the risks posed by climate change. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has unveiled a programme to support dozens of projects centred around natural processes which restore and replicate the natural functions of catchments, floodplains and coastlines to mitigate […]

Report: UK’s net-zero energy transition requires £900bn investment

More than £900bn could be required to transform the UK’s energy supply in readiness for net zero in 2050, new research warns. New policy interventions, investments and corporate partnerships will need to be put in place to unlock energy transition opportunities ahead of the target deadline. The new report by NatWest and Boston Consulting Group […]

Government launches green hydrogen fund for UK industry

The government is backing a series of major projects to produce green hydrogen, with £2 billion of funding over the next 15 years, leading to more than 700 jobs being created across the UK. Suppliers for the 11 schemes will receive a guaranteed price from the government for the clean energy they supply. The government […]

UK ‘dangerously slow’ in tackling climate challenges, new analysis reveals

The UK’s built environment is “severely under-equipped” to adapt to the changing climate, according to new analysis. The UK Green Building Council’s scorecard finds that on five out of seven critical climate resilience priorities, the government policies in its Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) are “insufficient, flawed, or missing, placing millions of homes and buildings […]

New Office in Manila, Philippines

The company is actively exploring collaborations with potential business partners and regional opportunities as it establishes its new Asian base. Syntegra is dedicated to providing cutting-edge sustainable solutions for both new construction projects and the retrofitting of existing premises. A key focus of its expanded services will be on addressing air pollution, a critical concern […]

King Charles’ climate call to action

King Charles has been praised for his COP28 speech calling for further efforts to protect the planet. Syntegra MD Alan King hailed his opening ceremony speech as “genuine concern and critically important,” after the monarch said that a net-zero and nature-positive future was achievable, but that a “starker and darker world” was inevitable based on […]

Boost to workplace tech investment

More than 90% of real estate business occupiers are willing to pay a premium for technology-enabled workspace which could boost their revenue options. Investment in technological solutions is set to outstrip expenditure on hiring new personnel and operating costs, according to research data from JLL’s 2023  Global Real Estate Technology Survey . Sustainability tools look set […]

Air quality: policies, proposals and concerns

The UK Government as described poor air quality as “the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK” as it launched a briefing note giving an overview of all laws, governance and enforcement arrangements now that the country is no longer a member of the EU. Following Brexit, a number of internationally agreed laws […]

Whole life carbon assessment – new global standard published

A new edition of the Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment (WLCA) standard has been launched. First published in 2017 for the UK’s built environment sector, this 2023 edition is a global version of the standard that provides a greater understanding of the carbon costs and benefits of design choices in construction and infrastructure […]

Government to delay biodiversity net-gain requirements for buildings

The target for built environment companies to achieve biodiversity net gains at sites has been pushed back until next year, the UK Government has announced. At the start of this year, the UK Government confirmed that developers will need to achieve 10% biodiversity net-gain (BNG) at all large domestic, commercial and mixed-use sites from this November […]

Concerns over Sunak’s weakened net zero approach

Concerns have been raised over the Prime Minister’s apparent weakening of Government commitment to net zero measures. Rishi Sunak has confirmed that his Government will weaken policy proposals relating to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, home heating and building energy efficiency, claiming it was unfair to impose significant extra cost burdens onto stretched household budgets. He […]

New home insulation fund launched

Energy Related Products Directive

The UK Government has launched a £1bn new home insulation scheme, which it hopes will provide financial support to more than 300,000 properties. The Great British Insulation Scheme will provide grant funding to homes in England, Scotland and Wales with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower. The UK Government is aiming […]

Government unveils winners of £46m green innovation funding

More than 20 UK businesses have received shares of a £46m Government funding pot to promote clean energy innovation including hydrogen, data centre chillers and alternatives to diesel for vehicles. The UK Government has confirmed the 26 businesses and projects that have been granted funding for low-carbon innovation. The primary focus is to help sectors […]

Measures to encourage heat pump installation

New Government proposals could make it easier and cheaper for households and businesses to install heat pumps. Proposed measures could lead to varying the levels of available grants, depending on the customer’s property type or existing fuel source. This would make heat pump installations more affordable for more households and small businesses, enabling them to […]

Net Zero: Biggest challenge ever

Net zero presents the “single biggest challenge that anyone working in the built environment has ever faced”, and pressure is increasing to achieve the aim, according to a report by the The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM). By 2030, emissions need to be reduced by 50%, and by 2050, net zero must be achieved, according to Government […]

New air quality research offers breakthrough

A new study has shown that low cost sensors and a new form of analysis can be used in certain “complex urban environments” to determine air quality and the implications for the surrounding areas. Research undertaken by academics at the University of Birmingham “provides an important breakthrough towards the wider and more comprehensive use of source […]

Accelerating decarbonisation in the built environment

A report has been published outlining the progress of a global movement to accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment on the eve of it being declared a critical climate sector at this year’s UN Climate Summit COP28. The Advancing Net Zero (ANZ) Status Report by the World Green Building Council (GBC) states that the Net […]

Company expansion for Syntegra as influence extends

The Syntegra Group has opened a new base in the North East of England, reflecting our increasing reach and influence. The new serviced office is situated in Durham and provides us with a prime location to work with partners in the construction and development sectors in an area rich in investment opportunities. Sustainable solutions are […]

UK property market update: Interest rate rises and sustainable buildings- Are there trends to be aware of? Syntegra Managing Director Alan King reports.

The UK property market is experiencing a notable shift as interest rates continue to rise, coinciding with an increasing focus on sustainable buildings, Passivhaus standards, and the integration of Greentech solutions. This update aims to shed light on these interconnected developments and the implications they hold for property investors, developers, and homeowners still reeling from […]

Syntegra bursary unveiled to encourage STEM learning in Africa

Syntegra Group is delighted to announce it is supporting a bursary to high potential students in a region of South Africa who wish to pursue a career in STEM. Donate here The Tony Wing-King Bursary is named in honour of Syntegra MD Alan King’s late father who was born in South Africa and became a […]

Experts losing faith in UK’s ability to meet net zero goals

Authorities are losing faith in the UK’s ability to meet its net zero goals with a significant dip in confidence over the past year. The Climate Change Committee’s confidence in the UK meeting its net zero goals from 2030 onwards is now “markedly less than it was in our previous assessment a year ago”, according […]

Link between air pollution and dementia cannot be ignored, experts warn

Experts have called for stricter air pollution targets to tackle the risk of dementia after studies revealed a potential link between poor air quality and the condition. Research now links pollution to an increased risk of dementia, even at levels below UK, US and EU air quality standards. A team at the Harvard TH Chan […]

Call to retrofit buildings as net-zero quick win

The government has been urged to accelerate plans to retrofit buildings as a quick win to get its net-zero targets back on track. Following the publication of the latest report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) said the government should make the built environment a priority as the UK’s […]