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 […]
UK ‘dangerously slow’ in tackling climate challenges, new analysis reveals
The UK’s built environment is “severely under-equipped” to adapt to the changing climate, according to new analysis. The UK Green Building Council’s scorecard finds that on five out of seven critical climate resilience priorities, the government policies in its Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) are “insufficient, flawed, or missing, placing millions of homes and buildings […]
King Charles’ climate call to action
King Charles has been praised for his COP28 speech calling for further efforts to protect the planet. Syntegra MD Alan King hailed his opening ceremony speech as “genuine concern and critically important,” after the monarch said that a net-zero and nature-positive future was achievable, but that a “starker and darker world” was inevitable based on […]
Air quality: policies, proposals and concerns
The UK Government as described poor air quality as “the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK” as it launched a briefing note giving an overview of all laws, governance and enforcement arrangements now that the country is no longer a member of the EU. Following Brexit, a number of internationally agreed laws […]
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 […]
New air quality research offers breakthrough
A new study has shown that low cost sensors and a new form of analysis can be used in certain “complex urban environments” to determine air quality and the implications for the surrounding areas. Research undertaken by academics at the University of Birmingham “provides an important breakthrough towards the wider and more comprehensive use of source […]
Built environment sector ‘must accelerate adoption of circular economy principles’
The built environment sector has been urged to follow industry best practice to adopt sustainable principles and step up circular economy adoption. The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and its network of more than 75 Green Building Councils have launched the Circular Built Environment Playbook explaining the benefits of developing a circular economy and reducing resource […]
Biodiversity Net Gain legislation outlined
Protected species and maintaining native habitats will become even more critical considerations when the Biodiversity Net Gain legislation plans come into force later this year. All planning applications in England from November this year are required to show a minimum 10% net gain requirement with all gains managed for at least 30 years (on-site or […]
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 […]
Hotel air quality now a guest priority
Improving air quality in hotels has become a priority for operators since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic – and those venues promoting positive health and wellbeing are securing premium rates as guests value the focus on clean air facilities. Creating healthier indoor environments became an essential feature of opening up countries after initial lockdowns, […]
Heat pump installation kickstart
The UK Government has unveiled a £5m heat training grant aimed at supporting 10,000 low-carbon heating installers for the next two years. Heating engineers will be eligible for grants of up to £500 towards training costs, creating new green jobs, and helping to future-proof the heating industry, in a moved backed by the Heat Pump […]
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’. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
National Clean Air Day June 17
The difference clean air can make to children’s lives will be the focus of this year’s National Clean Air Day on June 17th after research revealed reducing air pollution levels could improve children’s learning. A report by the Global Action Plan, the Philips Foundation and University of Manchester indicated that reducing levels of air pollution […]
Poverty harming UK’s chances of reaching net-zero
Unfortunately, the word ‘poverty’ is one with which we are all too familiar and conjures up images of people, often children, in far off lands struggling to survive in poor economic situations. Sadly, while the UK is considered an affluent country with a stable economy, we also suffer our own levels of relative poverty. And […]
Government unveils ‘radical’ energy efficiency standards for homes and office
All homes and business premises in the UK will be required to meet new energy efficiency standards that reduce energy consumption and lower bills by 2025, in line with the Government’s new Future Homes Standard. New homes will be required to have a reduced carbon footprint of 31% compared to current levels, the Government revealed […]
New Director in key air quality role
Syntegra has appointed a new Director of Air Quality to boost company credentials in this key area of business. Mark Chapman has managed technical and business development for some of the largest teams of specialist air quality consultants in the UK. A qualified Chartered Environmentalist, Mark provides specialist environmental assessments, such as air quality and […]
The new Green Homes Grant
Residents in England are now eligible for Government funding of up to £10,000 towards the cost of energy efficient home improvements. The Green Homes Grant 2020 scheme has been launched by the UK Government to provide benefits both to homeowners and the environment as the qualifying improvements will help reduce fuel bills and carbon emissions. […]
All UK domestic electricity to be wind-powered within 10 years, PM pledges
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans for every home in the UK to be powered with electricity from offshore wind farms within a decade. Addressing the Conservative Party’s virtual conference, he unveiled a £160m fund for the wind energy sector. He announced that the Government has increased its 2030 target for installed offshore […]
Calls for a Government hydrogen strategy
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has urged the UK Government to implement a Hydrogen Strategy to help decarbonise carbon-intensive sectors. The National Grid has also announced plans to build a new hydrogen testing facility. The EAC held an inquiry in July seeking views on effective technological responses to help combat climate change. More than 100 […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.