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 […]

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 […]

UK Government unveils plan for £1.8bn of spending on building energy efficiency

The UK Government has unveiled its plans for almost £2bn of funding to improve the energy efficiency of more than 115,000 homes and public sector buildings like schools and hospitals. Details of the allocation of the latest phases of the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), which applies to privately owned properties, and the Social Housing Decarbonisation […]

More businesses setting ambitious decarbonisation targets

Increasing numbers of businesses are setting ambitious decarbonisation targets in a bid to achieve net-zero by the middle of the century, according to a new study. According to Climate Action 100+, there has been a 17% year-on-year increase in the number of large businesses setting such targets. The report found a variety of methods used by […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Deadline for proof of carbon footprint reduction

Net Zero

A deadline is fast approaching for companies bidding for large Government contracts to prove how they are reducing their carbon footprint as part of the national drive towards Net Zero in 2050. From 30th September, contractors hoping to secure Government contracts worth more than £5million will have to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) explaining […]

Spending hike urged for environmental protection schemes

Environmental campaigners have called on the UK Government to more than double funding to fight climate change if further ecological breakdown is to be avoided in the future. They want more spending on decarbonising transport, the built environment and  industry and wrote to the Chancellor, Sajid Javid, ahead of his Spending Review this week calling […]

New carbon tax model could make polluters fund green policies

Ministers are being urged to introduce a raft of policies paid for by a new carbon tax model that would make corporates in the oil and gas sector pay a premium for failing to decarbonise after a new Friends of the Earth report revealed at least £44 billion worth of costs are being caused through […]

UK Government’s £102m fund for clean energy research

(From Edie.net) The UK Government has launched a £102.5m investment programme in a bid to tackle the challenges the UK faces as the renewables revolution continues, suggesting that the nation’s energy sector could soon be poised to take clean power sources mainstream. Areas of opportunity that could be addressed through the fund, include energy storage, heat […]

Clean Growth Strategy

Much has been trailed about the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy since its launch last week. But is it all hot air or are there some nuggets in there which will energise the debate about our country’s future direction and place on the world stage when it comes to putting the environment at the heart of […]

Businesses urged to act now to curb global emissions

Businesses and policymakers have been urged to work together to halve global emissions by 2040 and push on to ambitious targets for the rest of the 21st century. The ‘Better energy, greater prosperity’ report from the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC), argues that it is technically and economically feasible to grow economies, provide affordable, reliable clean […]

CHP vs heat pumps: Which system will win out in the long term?

Large commercial owners prefer to install heat pumps instead of gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP). The reasons are: – only low temperatures are needed – the heat pump is situated at ground level near the house (usually in the garden) which makes it more efficient. However, heat pumps use grid electricity that releases more […]

Energy Roadmap 2050 states decarbonisation of European energy sector by 2050 feasible

According to the European Commission (EC), decarbonisation of the European energy sector by 2050 is technically feasible.  In its energy road map 2050, the EC addresses the framework of policies that need to be put in place to achieve this without disrupting competitiveness and energy supplies. The document looks at a number of scenarios around […]