Berlin ranked top smart city in Europe, report claims

Berlin ranked top smart city in Europe, report claims

A new report claims that Berlin is the foremost smart city Europe based on its transport, energy strategies and a number of other factorsA new report claims that Berlin is the smartest city Europe based on its transport, energy strategies and a number of other factors. The Smart cities market: growth, trends & market forecasts 2023-2028 report [paywall] from Juniper Research, selected the German capital ahead of London, Barcelona, Rome and Madrid. The rankings are made on an evaluation of a range of smart city features, including transport and infrastructure, energy and lighting, city management and technology, and urban connectivity. More →

Businesses need to take real action to create a more sustainable workplace

Businesses need to take real action to create a more sustainable workplace

What action is actually being taken, including in the creation of a sustainable workplace?For the last decade, if not longer, we’ve heard businesses saying they are focused on reducing their environmental impact. It’s been written in annual reports and immortalised in pledges shared with stakeholders, but the question still remains – what action is actually being taken, including in the creation of a sustainable workplace? More →

The retrofit of commercial property should be prioritised over new buildings

The retrofit of commercial property should be prioritised over new buildings

A retrofit first principle is advocated in a new reportA retrofit first principle is advocated in a new report, Transform & Renew – Making non-domestic buildings fit for a low carbon future from building consultancy Mace. That and other recommendations set out in the report aim to promote the re-use and repurposing of existing non-domestic buildings which make up about an eighth of total UK building stock but account for a quarter of its carbon emissions. More than 3.5m such buildings require retrofit in the next ten years, Mace suggests in the report. More →

The circular economy is a great opportunity, but it doesn’t add up yet

The circular economy is a great opportunity, but it doesn’t add up yet

The circular economy offers huge opportunities and is vital for a ‘greener’ future. Currently, it just doesn’t make commercial sense for widespread adoptionThe circular economy, carbon measurement, product material content, rental, ‘take back’, reuse and recycling – all actions for a more environmentally responsible workplace sector. But what are the priorities? Manufacturers and suppliers are arguably challenged by lack of clarity, requirements for significant investment, combined with cost pressures in a heavily subscribed market. More →

Europe not on track to deliver carbon neutral built environment by 2050

Europe not on track to deliver carbon neutral built environment by 2050

Europe not yet on track: one year on since EU Policy Roadmap launch to deliver a climate neutral built environment by 2050It has been one year today (24 May 2023), since the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) launched a new policy called the EU Policy Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, to help the European Union accelerate total decarbonisation of buildings and construction — the most heavily emitting sector in the world. Now WorldGBC and 12 European Green Building Councils (GBCs) are imploring the EU to implement the Roadmap’s principles at the scale and speed required through the announcement of BuildingLife2, a new project driving what it claims is greater transparency and accountability across the sector as it seeks to achieve the goal of a carbon neutral built environment. More →

Environmental concerns and wellbeing continue to dominate BCO Awards

Environmental concerns and wellbeing continue to dominate BCO Awards

As was the case with the winners of other regional BCO awards, the winners of this year’s competition seem to focus on user-centric design, wellbeing and sustainabilityThe BCO Awards for the South of England and South Wales have been announced, with recognition going to six office buildings across the region. Held at The City Hall in Cardiff, the BCO’s annual South of England and South Wales Awards Dinner claims to recognise projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the sector. More →

TRILUX and Skanska circular lighting project saves 17 tonnes of CO2e and creates inspiring workplace

TRILUX and Skanska circular lighting project saves 17 tonnes of CO2e and creates inspiring workplace

The result was an example of how to go from waste to wow as TRILUX and Skanska's circular lighting project saved 17 tonnes of CO2e and created a truly inspiring workplaceSkanska, the leading construction and development company committed to reducing carbon emissions, partnered with TRILUX to provide a sustainable and inspiring workplace for its UK head office. The project aimed to introduce more efficient lighting to match the existing look and type of luminaires, providing lighting control with minimal impact on carbon emissions. More →

Most firms don’t see retrofit as part of their net zero strategy

Most firms don’t see retrofit as part of their net zero strategy

Without boards changing their attitudes and government action, the UK faces a building retrofit crisis which threatens the nation’s ability to ever reach net zeroDespite organisations and the Government setting environmental targets, when it comes to buildings, there remains a lack of commitment to prepare for net zero. Without boards changing their attitudes and government action, the UK faces a building retrofit crisis which threatens the nation’s ability to ever reach net zero. That is the main finding of a new report which explores the current state of retrofit for commercial property in the UK. More →

WorldGBC launches Circular Built Environment Playbook

WorldGBC launches Circular Built Environment Playbook

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and its network of over 75 Green Building Councils are launching the Circular Built Environment Playbook.The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and its network of over 75 Green Building Councils are launching the Circular Built Environment Playbook. The organisation claims this is ‘a critical guide for the building and construction sector around the world to accelerate the adoption of circular economy and resource efficiency principles’. More →

Over two-thirds of office landlords have no sustainability strategy

Over two-thirds of office landlords have no sustainability strategy

The vast majority of UK office landlords do not have a sustainability strategy in place despite evidence showing that it would increase the attractiveness of their properties to tenantsThe vast majority of UK office landlords do not have a sustainability strategy in place despite evidence showing that it would increase the attractiveness of their properties to tenants, according to a new poll commissioned by infinitSpace in partnership with The Instant Group. The survey defined a strategy as several policies with an overall aim to reduce greenhouse emissions and/or promote environmentally friendly practices. More →

UKGBC launches new guidance to empower the built environment to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain

UKGBC launches new guidance to empower the built environment to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain

The UK Green Building Council has launched new guidance which it claims will empower the built environment sector to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain as a key element in its developments.The UK Green Building Council has launched new guidance which it claims will empower the built environment sector to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain as a key element in its developments. Biodiversity Net Gain policy requirements will come into effect in November and will mandate that all new developments must design and deliver solutions that support nature. More →

BCO Awards winners for North of England again focus on sustainable office design

BCO Awards winners for North of England again focus on sustainable office design

Following last week’s announcement of the annual BCO Awards winners for London, the British Council for Offices has announced the winners of its annual Awards for the North of England. In fact all but one of the winners are located in Greater Manchester and the one that isn’t lies within twenty miles of it. The organisers suggest that the theme of sustainable office design runs through the submissions of the winning entries. More →