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 […]

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 […]

More biodiversity details required from businesses

Businesses have been urged to step up the amount of data they share on biodiversity measures and impacts to fall in line with new regulations set to come into force. The Carbon Disclosure Project,  a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts, […]

Options available to reduce emissions but world failing to do enough – IPCC

The new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Synthesis Report states there are “multiple, feasible and effective options” to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, but that the world is currently not on track to achieve them. The IPCC’s report today reiterates that the world will fail to meet either of the Paris […]

Budget energy roundup

UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled a series of energy policies in his Spring Budget, introducing fresh funding for carbon capture technologies, reclassifying nuclear as a “sustainable” energy option and extending energy efficiency relief for households. Our colleagues over at Edie.net have produced this comprehensive overview of the measures announced: Energy cost relief The Chancellor unveiled […]

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’. […]

Businesses are ‘key lever’ to delivering Paris Agreement – COP26 team

Net Zero

Businesses have been urged to ‘turbocharge collaboration’ on climate issues ahead of this month’s COP26 summit. The UK COP26 Unit’s deputy director for engagement, Nick Baker, has called on businesses to step-up their own commitments and forge closer links to help keep a 1.5C target within reach. Baker’s team works alongside High-Level Champion Nigel Topping […]

Call for new policies to tackle climate crisis

New policy measures are essential to tackle the climate crisis, scientists have warned ahead of this Autumn’s next round of talks, Cop26. With some changes to the environment now considered inevitable or irreversible, more should be done to tackle those issues still within human control, they said. The comprehensive assessment of climate science published last month, […]

Survey: UK businesses set to invest almost £16bn in EVs this year

UK businesses are planning to spend almost £16billion on electric vehicles (EVs) this financial year – up 50% on last year’s spending, A new survey from Centrica Business Solutions polled 200 UK businesses that operate fleets and showed two-thirds of those companies said that they are on track to switch to a fully electric fleet by […]

Government unveils new net-zero support for buildings and ‘every single mode of transport’

The UK Government has unveiled new measures to decarbonise buildings and all modes of transport to demonstrate commitment to reaching  net-zero carbon by 2050. The report indicates that the UK Government has allocated £2bn to decarbonisation projects since the amendment to the 2008 Climate Change Act was ratified, with significant amounts of funding being allocated […]

National Infrastructure Strategy to drive sustainability

The UK’s first National Infrastructure Strategy is due to be published this autumn and Syntegra is keen to see what will be included to help support and improve sustainable development. The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has published a series of topics members would like to see addressed when the Government unveils its recommendations. Syntegra […]

Support for Global Climate Strike

Businesses are being urged to support and take part in a Global Climate Strike day of action on September 20th. Business leaders have been encouraged by the UKGBC’s Chief Executive, Julie Hirigoyen,to ‘activate [their] leadership’ and allow staff to join in the planned campaign to ensure the built environment industry is at the forefront of […]

Net-zero economy aim for UK government

The UK Government has confirmed it is seeking advice on how to reduce carbon emissions and move to a net-zero economy. Following the release of a report last week by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warning that the global temperature increase will hit 1.5C by 2030, and 3-4C by the end of […]

The Global Goals for Sustainable Development supported by Syntegra

In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 global goals for a better world by 2030. These goals have the power to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change, says The Global Goals website. ‘Guided by the goals, it is now up to all of us, governments, businesses, civil society and the general public to […]