Toddler death shows need for good indoor ventilation
The death of a two-year-old boy from the effects of living in a flat with extensive mould should be “a defining moment for the housing sector” and highlights the importance of proper ventilation in buildings to improve indoor air quality. Inappropriate levels of ventilation and subsequent growth of fungus and spores can lead to significant […]
Built environment taskforce created to devise energy procurement guidance
A team of cross-industry experts has been created to help devise guidance for the built environment on renewable energy procurement. The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has pulled together the team to help draft documents for businesses of all sizes in the sector as part of its commitment to tackling climate change. Decarbonising the UK’s […]
Call for tighter policies to support sustainable built environment
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has called on government to strengthen policies that will support a resilient built environment to mitigate the threats posed by climate change. Philip Box, Policy Advisor at UKGBC, said the heatwaves and droughts this summer caused widespread harm across the UK, from severe disruptions to transport services, and increased […]
G20 nations failing to retrofit buildings to reach net-zero targets
G20 nations are failing to retrofit the built environment with energy and carbon saving measures at an appropriate pace to meet the Paris Agreement net zero targets. That is the key finding from the Global Retrofit Index which assesses the progress G20 countries are making to reduce emissions from existing buildings. With 80% of the […]
Billions lost in missed solar savings opportunities
UK businesses are missing out on as much as £12 billion in annual energy savings by failing to have facilities assessed to see if solar panels could be installed on rooftops, a new study has revealed. Analysis by solar data providers PowerMarket in their Solar Feasibility study examined the 30 largest science parks in the […]
Report shows construction industry can improve sustainability record
The built environment needs to do more to improve its sustainability credentials, particularly in relation to reducing carbon emissions, according to a new report. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Sustainability Report 2022 said that while progress had been made in certain areas, ‘the rate of advancement needs to accelerate significantly and become more widespread’. […]
UK Government releases £1.5bn of funding for energy-efficient homes
The UK Government has announced a £1.5bn fund for local authorities and social housing providers to improve energy efficiency in 130,000 properties. The funding is being made available through two existing ‘Help to Heat’ schemes – the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. HUG is receiving up to £700m and the remaining […]
Concern over mini budget’s energy focus
Key organisations in the sustainability sector have expressed concerns and disappointment following the U.K. Chancellor’s mini budget believing it failed to deliver appropriate measures to safeguard homes and businesses from rocketing energy prices. While there is support for Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s measures to fast track offshore wind development, many pointed to missed opportunities on other […]
New bid to boost biodiversity
All new developments will have to improve biodiversity on their site by a minimum of 10% under the new Environment Act in a bid to boost sustainability. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach used to improve a site’s biodiversity value – habitat creation or enhancement after proving they have avoided or mitigated harm. The […]
Calls for indoor air quality ratings to be publicised
Hotels and other businesses have been urged to let consumers know the standard of their indoor air quality (IAQ) after a survey revealed its importance to users amid the COVID pandemic. Carbon Lighthouse examined indoor air quality and its perception by the public. The U.S. Consumer Sentiment on Indoor Air Quality and COVID-19 survey found that a “vast […]
Cost crisis: Businesses backtracking on sustainability are urged to keep environmental focus
Less than 20% of business owners vowed to keep environmental credentials as a priority focus in the short term given the cost of living crisis, a new report has revealed. One third of respondents admitted to de-prioritising sustainability in light of rising energy and resources costs, said survey organisers, Gousto, the recipe box service who […]
Net zero strategy unlawful, court rules
On the day the UK was subject to its first ever red alert for extreme heat, the Government was dealt an embarrassing blow as the High Court ruled its strategy for getting to Net Zero is inadequate and unlawful. The Climate Change Act requires Government to hit Net Zero by 2050, to make proposals as […]
Paragraph 80 design
Government guidelines for building new homes in isolated rural settings have changed and developers must now plan for a building which is ‘truly outstanding, reflecting the highest standards in architecture…and significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area’ if it is to qualify as an exception. Paragraph […]
Carbon Reduction Plans required for Government contract bids
Companies bidding for large Government contracts now have to prove how they are reducing their carbon footprint as part of the national drive towards Net Zero in 2050. From 30th September last year, contractors hoping to secure Government contracts worth more than £5million have had to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) explaining how they […]
Overheating: Building Regulations Part O
New rules relating to heating and cooling buildings are set to come into force in June this year. Section O of the Building Regulations 2010 will be effective from June 15 to protect the health and welfare of a building’s occupants. It will cover the design and construction of buildings to achieve two key objectives […]
VAT relief on retrofit and renewables
VAT has been scrapped on energy saving products and home solar panels by the UK’s Chancellor in his Spring Statement aimed at easing the country’s cost of living crisis. The relief – down from its already discounted rate of 5% – will be in place for at least fie years, Rishi Sunak said. It covers […]
Overcoming CLT acoustics challenges
CLT acoustics While many advantages have been identified for the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT), an innovative and fire-resistant building frame material offering sustainable solutions to the construction industry – along with cost saving benefits – a number of challenges surrounding its use also exist. The primary concern relates to acoustics where CLT is used […]
Hotel interior designers urged to work closely with MEP professionals
Hotel interior designers working with MEP professionals No hotel can be designed in a vacuum – it is not enough for an interior designer to have innovative ideas about the look and feel of a venue without close collaboration with MEP professionals who can help bring their creations to life safely and efficiently. True, the […]
LETI: How to build sustainably
Syntegra is delighted to support the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) – a network of more than 1,000 built environment professionals working together to develop the UK’s net zero whole life carbon future. Despite its roots in London, LETI provides guidance to teams working on new build projects across the country about how to build […]
New Building Regulations Part L 2022
New Part L Building Regulations come into force in June this year meaning residential buildings will be required to produce 30% fewer carbon emissions and non-residential buildings 27% fewer compared with current standards. Part L of the Building Regulations has been revised for the first time in a decade as part of the drive towards […]
Support urged for hydrogen blending
The UK Government has been urged to increase policy support for hydrogen blending after it was revealed the country’s gas grid will be ready for distributors to begin using hydrogen and natural gas blends from 2023. The Energy Networks Association (ENA) says all five of Britain’s gas grid companies will be able to complete the […]
Energy efficiency improvements must double to put world on track for net-zero – IEA report
Global energy efficiency will need to more than double to put the world on track for net zero by 2050, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The 2021 edition of the Agency’s annual Energy Efficiency Report which was published last month (November) reveals that progress is now back on track as […]
COP26 deal ‘overall positive’ – Syntegra
The Syntegra team has welcomed the new Glasgow Climate pact announced at the culmination of the recent UN COP26 summit an called on UK businesses to lead the way in reducing their carbon footprint by implementing sustainable solutions across the built environment. ‘The document signals further international commitment to tackle climate change which is overall […]
World Green Buildings Council (WorldGBC)
The World Green Buildings Council (WorldGBC) is calling for businesses to account for the whole lifecycle impact of all new buildings and major renovations, not just address operational carbon reduction. The WorldGBC this month unveiled an update to its longstanding Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, that aims to ignite a “reduction-first” approach to decarbonisation to […]
