How AI Can Enable and Unlock Decarbonisation of Buildings
The built environment plays a central role in meeting the United Kingdom’s net zero ambitions. As pressures mount from regulators, investors and society, the challenge of decarbonising buildings has never been greater. Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a unique opportunity to accelerate this transition by improving how buildings are designed, operated and retrofitted. Understanding AI and […]
Green Performance Plan for UK Planning
The UK is moving towards a greener future. In planning and construction, this shift means new strategies to cut carbon emissions, protect resources, and build sustainable communities. One key approach is the Green Performance Plan UK. A Green Performance Plan sets out how a building or development will achieve environmental targets after it is built. […]
Climate Report Sparks UN Summit Protests
By Alan King, CEO, Syntegra Group Recently, a newly published climate report from the IPCC has caused widespread protests around the world. Moreover, it warns that global temperatures are set to breach the critical 1.5 °C threshold, an environmental tipping point with wide consequences, unless governments take strong action.PBS Worldwide Demonstrations: Climate in the Spotlight […]
Part Z: Embodied Carbon in UK Construction
Accounting for approximately 40% of global carbon emissions is not a badge the built environment should wear with pride. The UK alone releases around 64 million tonnes of embodied carbon (the emissions related to the production and use of materials) per year – more than aviation and shipping combined and if it continues unchecked at […]
Britain 2100: Energy Abundance, Equity, and the Path to Regeneration
By Alan Wing-King, CEO & Sustainability Consultant Founder | Engineering & Environmental Strategist | Advocate for Regenerative Futures As we stand on the cusp of one of the greatest transitions in human history, the UK’s journey toward a fully regenerative energy system offers both a compelling vision and a sobering challenge. The insights shared in […]
AI & Climate Change: Innovation Is Our Climate Ally
The Climate Crisis: Our Defining Challenge and Opportunity The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our generation. Yet, with this challenge comes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity powered in part by AI climate technology. We’ve long known the facts: rising global temperatures, extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion (NASA Climate). The main culprits are clear: […]
‘A reckless step’: Conservative party ditches net-zero by 2050 commitment
Conservatives’ Net-Zero Rollback Sends the Wrong Message The Conservative Party’s plan to abandon the 2050 net-zero commitment is a concerning step backward at a critical moment for sustainability. Environmental Gains Should Transcend Politics Convincing voters of specific ideologies is not my role, but environmentally friendly strategies appeared to gain bipartisan support recently. The climate crisis […]
Energy efficiency measures tail off in commercial sector – companies urged to do more
Britain’s commercial building sector looks set to miss the 2030 deadline for all non-domestic rented properties to achieve an EPC rating of B or higher due to current low rates of energy efficiency improvements. Research indicates more than 13,000 such properties in England and Wales remain rated F or G and at current rates, it […]
Syntegra MD Alan Wing-King backs BCIA’s praise of government measures, urges UK leadership in AI-driven proptech
Syntegra MD Alan Wing-King supports sentiments from a leading trade body in the construction industry which believes the UK Government’s reforms and regulatory changes will drive growth in the building energy management systems (BEMS) sector. The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) welcomed news of further grants for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and […]
The world has only deployed 10% of the climate technologies it needs to achieve net zero, new research by McKinsey shows
I was somewhat disappointed- although less surprised – to read a recent summary of where the world is at in relation to deployment of effective climate technologies to tackle the crisis engulfing our planet. While people of my generation and younger have grown up knowing our energy mix has to change from fossil fuels to […]
Thoughts: Businesses increasingly targeting net-zero by 2030
By Alan King, Syntegra MD There is no doubt in my mind that organisations face some tough decisions around energy goals in the drive to net zero.So it was with some delight that I read the recent report from business consultants PwC indicating that the proportion of businesses committed to achieving net-zero by 2030 has […]
UK publishes roadmap to protect nature four months after UN deadline
The UK has released its national biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP), outlining how it aims to meet commitments to protect at least 30% of land and sea, reduce pollution, and ensure sustainable trade of wild species.The plan sets out how the UK will meet its obligations under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).The GBF, […]
Trump’s Anti-Climate Agenda: A Major Setback for Global Sustainability and the UK’s Green Future
By Alan Wing-King, CEO of the Syntegra Group With Donald Trump back in the White House, his administration is already setting the stage for a rollback of climate policies that could severely impact global sustainability efforts. His pro-fossil fuel, anti-regulation stance threatens progress on SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 […]
Speed up clean energy reforms, urges Syntegra MD and major businesses
Syntegra MD Alan King has thrown his support behind calls for the Energy Secretary to bring down costs and access to clean power supplies by speeding up sector reforms. A group of leading businesses have called on Ed Miliband to unveil reforms to the current Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) scheme. Major businesses have […]
Increase in construction projects achieving sustainability targets
Seven out of ten construction projects now include sustainability targets, new research has revealed. The number of net-zero projects and the achievement of sustainability targets in the built environment sector are increasing but costs are still preventing further improvement in figures. The Sustainable Futures Report from built environment platform NBS, developed in collaboration with the Royal […]
Focus on buildings to treble emissions reductions
Emissions reductions in buildings need to treble by the end of the decade if the UK’s ambitions to achieve net zero are to be realised. The Climate Change Committee has published a report assessing only a third of the emissions reductions required to achieve the UK’s 2030 target are currently covered by credible plans. But […]
Reconomy launches framework to speed up UK’s net-zero journey
Syntegra boss Alan King is backing the implementation of a new framework aimed at tackling climate change by restructuring the waste industry. Circular economy specialist Reconomy believes its 10-point regulatory framework will help drive the UK economy and help meet net-zero targets. Steve Reed, the new secretary of state at the Department for the Environment, Food […]
‘Change begins now’: Please don’t let us down – implement those green manifesto pledges ASAP
If the new Prime Minister and his team fulfil their manifesto pledges, the environment will be a big winner from the General Election. With the creation of Great British Energy tabled as a priority and an undertaking to achieve a decarbonised electricity grid by 2030 topping the Government’s green agenda, a raft of measures are […]
Embracing the Circular Economy: A Visionary Path to Sustainable Innovation
Embracing the Circular Economy: A Visionary Path to Sustainable Innovation By Alan Wing-King, CEO of Syntegra Group Introduction In a world increasingly driven by sustainability and transformative innovation, the circular economy emerges as a revolutionary force, poised to redefine our future. At Syntegra Group, we recognise that this is not merely an option but a […]
Syntegra Launches BREEAM Hea06 Security Services
Enhancing Building Security Through Expert Assessment and Strategy London, May 23, 2024 – Syntegra, a leading consultancy in sustainable building design, proudly announces the launch of its new service, BREEAM Hea06 Security Services. This innovative service is designed to integrate effective security measures into building and site design, ensuring projects not only meet the stringent […]
Call to overhaul funding access for net zero plans
Accessing funding pots to help deliver net zero are overly bureaucratic and strangle efforts to reach the 2050 target, a new survey has found. The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for an overhaul of how councils can access funding following on from their survey of councils. The LGA has found that more than two-thirds […]
Budget 2024 green growth
The Chancellor has made a series of environment announcements in his budget. Jeremy Hunt told MPs about the need to increase Government and private sector investment in priority industries for innovation and growth, including clean energy and allocated up to a further £120m to the Green Industries Growth Accelerator, which supports the expansion of supply […]
Concerns over Future Homes Standard
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 […]
The Unseen Value of Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an often-overlooked aspect of our daily lives, yet it plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. The quality of the air we breathe indoors can significantly impact our comfort, productivity, and even our long-term health. Monitoring indoor air quality goes beyond simply measuring levels; it’s the start […]