Groundwater Flooding in the UK: Mitigation Strategies and Future Trends Amidst Climate Change
Groundwater Flooding in the UK: Mitigation Strategies and Future Trends Amidst Climate Change Introduction In recent years, the UK has been increasingly grappling with an environmental challenge that often goes unnoticed compared to its more dramatic counterpart, surface water flooding: groundwater flooding. This phenomenon occurs when the level of water within the ground rises, inundating […]
New home insulation fund launched
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
FAQs – What is Bat Surveys and its Guidelines?
In a bid to protect natural habitats and encourage biodiversity, bat surveys are most commonly ordered at this time of year by local authorities considering planning applications. Here at Syntegra Group, we understand that the need for further bat surveys may cause worry and lead to further questions. To ease your concerns, our ecology team […]
Air pollution can damage health from pre-birth to old age – report
A new research report shows air pollution can damage health ‘before birth through to old age’. The report was commissioned by the Greater London Authority through Imperial Projects and carried out by researchers from Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group who analysed the findings of a range of key studies. Their review focused on the “serious and life-limiting risks of […]
New guidance unveiled on gym acoustics
The Professional Practice Guidance on Gym Acoustics (ProPG) has been produced to provide developers, operators and Local Authorities with a standardised approach on assessing gym acoustics. The Acoustics and Noise Consultants (ANC), Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and Chartered Institute of environmental Health (CIEH) have worked together, collaborating across industry, to produce this guidance, which for […]
UK Government unveils updated Energy Security Plan
The UK Government has updated its Energy Security Strategy with an undertaking to upgrade 300,000 of the country’s least energy-efficient homes, launch carbon capture and storage projects and accelerate the development of green hydrogen, nuclear and floating offshore wind. The Government has confirmed that a new Energy Security Plan will be published, as well as a response […]
Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity
Scientists in Australia have discovered an enzyme that converts air into energy leading them to predict ‘the sky is literally the limit’ for a potential new clean energy source. The finding identifies how the enzyme uses the low amounts of the hydrogen in the atmosphere to create an electrical current. The research team, led by […]
Syntegra backs schoolgirl’s air pollution awareness raising efforts
Air pollution is not just something in the UK that concerns us here at Syntegra and we are delighted that young people are championing the cause both here and overseas. We were impressed that teenager Charlotte Green from St George’s School in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, brought to our attention the international petition to prevent drilling for […]
SMEs see range of benefits as reasons to achieve net-zero
Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK are finding a variety of reasons beyond financial gains in their drive to reach net zero. The latest edition of Lloyds Bank’s Net Zero Monitor was published earlier this month having surveyed 1,074 financial decision makers in SMEs and revealed that 64% of their companies have […]
Innovation fund to fuel red diesel alternatives in construction industry
A fund has been created by the UK Government to boost innovation in technology to curb reliance on polluting red diesel in the construction industry. Red diesel is often used for off-road, heavy-duty vehicles such as bulldozers, forklifts and cranes. It is also often used to power machinery in industrial settings and accounts for around […]
Call for extra energy efficiency measures in homes
The UK Government has been urged to increase incentives for the creation of energy efficient homes over the next decade. The influential Aldersgate Group of businesses is urging the UK Government to provide clearer information on subsidies in a new report, ‘Warming Britain Affordably’. The buildings and industry has been set a target to reduce […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]