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 […]
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 […]
Willow Review: Plan unveiled to help SMEs boost green growth
UK small businesses have been given a roadmap of recommendations to help them adopt sustainable green growth opportunities aimed at boosting profits, innovation and long-term growth. The Willow Review, launched last year, examined how sustainability can provide financial benefits for SMEs.Jointly chaired by Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas, Barclays’ global head of sustainability engagement Nick […]
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 […]
More energy from renewables than fossil fuels – new figures
Renewable energy sources outstripped fossil fuels in the UK power mix for the whole of 2024 – the first time the balance has shifted for an entire 12 month period.A new report from energy think tank Ember revealed that throughout this year, wind, solar and hydropower combined produced 37% of the Uks electricity, 103 terawatt-hours […]
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 […]
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 […]
Property investors heed tenants’ demands for low carbon buildings
Property investors have been driven by tenants to increase their sustainability improvements by 20% in the past year, research has found. Both business and domestic tenants have been demanding lower-carbon buildings. Findings from new research from Handelsbanken, which surveyed 200 property investors across the country showed 92% of those polled said that multiple tenants have […]
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 […]
Syntegra bursary unveiled to encourage STEM learning in Africa
Syntegra Group is delighted to announce it is supporting a bursary to high potential students in a region of South Africa who wish to pursue a career in STEM. Donate here The Tony Wing-King Bursary is named in honour of Syntegra MD Alan King’s late father who was born in South Africa and became a […]
Bat Survey Frequently Asked Questions
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 […]
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 […]
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’. […]
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 […]
Paragraph 80 design
Government guidelines for building new homes in isolated rural settings have changed and developers must now plan for a building which is ‘truly outstanding, reflecting the highest standards in architecture…and significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area’ if it is to qualify as an exception. Paragraph […]
New Building Regulations Part L 2022
New Part L Building Regulations come into force in June this year meaning residential buildings will be required to produce 30% fewer carbon emissions and non-residential buildings 27% fewer compared with current standards. Part L of the Building Regulations has been revised for the first time in a decade as part of the drive towards […]
Businesses are ‘key lever’ to delivering Paris Agreement – COP26 team
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 […]
Government urged to prioritise public transport, walking and cycling to reduce emissions
More Government effort should be directed at encouraging the use of public transport, cycling and walking to reduce emissions rather than simply focusing on increased take-up of electric vehicles (EVs) to decarbonise transport, according to a new study. IPPR analysis of the Climate Change Committee’s Sixth Carbon Budget advice suggests that efforts to decarbonise road transport through […]
G7 agree on ‘historic steps’ to make climate reporting mandatory
G7 countries have agreed to make climate reporting mandatory for corporate entities in line with the recommendations of the global Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). G7 finance ministers made the decision to make it mandatory for corporates to report climate impacts and investment decisions, and also agreed on new measures to strengthen central company […]
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 […]
Historic planning overhaul unveiled to get Britain back in business
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled what he describes as ‘the most radical reforms to our planning system since the Second World War’ and has pledged a ‘new approach’ to planning as new and greener building strategies were announced as part of his programme to bring Britain out of hibernation following the brunt of […]
Syntegra’s Quick Guide to Green Office Measures
If we don’t take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon” – the warning from the revered naturalist Sir David Attenborough as he declared climate change “our greatest threat in thousands of years”. His declaration, along with the Paris Agreement, an increasing number […]
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 […]
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