Search Results for: carbon

Task group launched to define zero carbon for non-domestic buildings

by • Environment, Facilities management, News, Property

New task group launched to define zero carbon for non-domestic buildings

A policy for all new non domestic buildings to be zero carbon from 2019 was introduced by the Labour government in 2008. Although the Coalition Government recommitted to this target, announcing in July it would strengthen energy efficiency standards for new non-domestic buildings from April 2014, they had yet to come up with a definition of zero carbon for non-domestic buildings.  The UK Green Building Council, whose membership includes the architects, developers, contractors, product manufacturers and others who will be tasked with delivering zero carbon buildings from 2019, is therefore launching a new Task Group to help define and build support for a definition of zero carbon for non-domestic buildings that works for industry.  (more…)

IPCC climate report: built environment has major role to play in cutting carbon

by • Environment, Facilities management, News

built environment has major role to play in cutting carbon

The built environment has one of the biggest roles to play in tackling global warming, said the UK Green Building Council following the publication of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report which confirms that there is at least 95 per cent certainty that human activities are its principal cause. The Summary of the Report for Policy Makers; prepared by 259 climate experts from 39 countries, warns atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide have increased to levels unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years, while CO2 concentrations have increased by 40 per cent since pre-industrial times. It advises that containing these changes will require “substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions”. (more…)

New study to investigate effectiveness of UK carbon reduction policies

by • Environment, Facilities management, Knowledge, Legal news, News

carbon-dioxide-molecule-Deloitte has been commissioned by the Green Construction Board and the Green Property Alliance to carry out a study into the effectiveness of the UK Government’s policies for carbon reduction as the it seeks to meet its commitment  to reduce the country’s carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Inevitably buildings, which reportedly are the largest source of CO2 including some 17 percent from non-domestic property, have been targeted to make significant contributions. With the much vaunted Green Deal in the news for all the wrong reasons – either because of its low take-up as well as new fears that it could lead to homes overheating –  the survey will gauge how policies aimed specifically at commercial property such as Energy Performance Certificates and the Carbon Reduction Commitment have fared in spite of their own difficult gestations.

(more…)

RIBA and CIBSE call for collaboration in CarbonBuzz initiative

by • Environment, Facilities management, Knowledge, News, Property, Public Sector, Technology

RIBA and CIBSE call for pan-industry collaboration in CarbonBuzz initiative

The CarbonBuzz energy benchmarking initiative, backed jointly by the RIBA and CIBSE gets a new online platform next week. The CarbonBuzz project allows users to record, share and compare the real energy use of building projects and to shed light on the differences between predicted and operational performance. Now RIBA and CIBSE are calling on architects and building services engineers to upload their projects to CarbonBuzz and re-energise the industry’s benchmarking database, which was first launched in 2008. Both institutes have spearheaded the publication of energy data in their annual awards schemes and point out that CarbonBuzz is the best way to demonstrate energy credentials. (more…)

Hong Kong’s pioneering zero carbon building wins innovation award

by • Architecture, Environment, Facilities management, News, Workplace design

ZCB building in Hong Kong

The Construction Industry Council’s (CIC) Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) in Hong Kong has been awarded Champion of the Innovation Award for the Engineering Industry 2012/2013 by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). The ZCB, which is the first of its kind in Hong Kong engineered by Arup won the construction category for its integrated innovations, tailored for the city’s sub-tropical climate. It is the first building in Hong Kong to actively feed electricity back to the grid and has BEAM Plus Platinum status – the highest rating for excellent building environmental performance.

(more…)

Green Construction Board publishes carbon emissions routemap

by • Environment, Knowledge, News, Property

 Carbon

The Green Construction Board has called for urgent action to reduce carbon emissions as it published a new plan for the sector to meet national carbon reduction targets. The Low Carbon Routemap for the Built Environment, launched at this week’s Ecobuild sets out what is required from the construction industry to achieve its UK government target of an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050. The GCB also published its ‘Top Twenty Tips’ for greening the industry with a case study engine showing examples of good practice. (more…)

EU commission launches low-carbon contest

by • Architecture, Environment, News, Property, Technology, Workplace design

City hall

The EU Commissioner for Climate Action has today launched a low-carbon contest, calling on creative and innovative ideas from across the EU. The World You Like Challenge is part of the European Commission’s climate action campaign: A world you like, launched at London City Hall [pictured] in October 2012. Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: “The Challenge is a great opportunity to move beyond mere talking about climate change. By submitting your project, you help us show that building a world we like with a climate we like is both feasible and affordable.” (more…)

British Land named Carbon Champion at CIBSE awards

by • Environment, Facilities management, Lighting, News, Property, Technology

British Land

British Land has been named Carbon Champion of Year in the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Building Performance Awards 2013. The awards recognise building performance excellence in 12 categories, with other winners including Max Fordham, Norland, Atkins and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The CIBSE awards recognise and celebrate the best performance, innovation and practice in design, commissioning, construction, installation and operation of sustainable buildings and the manufacturers whose technologies enable energy efficiency. (more…)

There’s a simpler, more natural and diverse approach we can take to workplace design

There’s a simpler, more natural and diverse approach we can take to workplace design

by • Comment, Workplace design

A different approach to workplace design, one that values clarity, quiet and coherence, is being driven more by carbon reductions and overall user experienceOur buildings do more than house activity. They shape our states of mind. Yet many contemporary spaces, whether offices, schools or public buildings, are full of visual noise, synthetic finishes and unnecessary complexity. These elements are often justified in the name of expression or efficiency. But they can leave people disoriented, distracted or exhausted. A different approach to workplace design, one that values clarity, quiet and coherence, is being driven more by carbon reductions and overall user experience than by neurodiversity alone. Through seeking simpler, more durable ways to build: an architecture grounded in natural materials, minimal finishes and thoughtful restraint. (more…)

Interface introduces In The Mix, a new terrazzo-inspired LVT 

Interface introduces In The Mix, a new terrazzo-inspired LVT 

by • Company news, Workplace design

Interface, the global flooring solutions company and sustainability leader, has introduced In The Mix™, its latest resilient style blending the on-trend look of terrazzo with the performance benefits of LVTInterface, the global flooring solutions company and sustainability leader, has introduced In The Mix™, its latest resilient style blending the on-trend look of terrazzo with the performance benefits of LVT. Available in versatile neutral colourways, the product brings a modern lens to a classic design in a way that supports high-performing commercial spaces. With In The Mix, Interface is responding to the need for terrazzo-inspired flooring solutions without the complexity and upkeep of traditional terrazzo. The aesthetic is now available in a modular tile format, providing more design flexibility while still delivering on the signature look that terrazzo is known for. And the product, like all Interface LVT, is easy to install and maintain, making it a better solution for many projects.    (more…)

Britain’s AI ambitions face delays from planning and energy challenges, report warns

Britain’s AI ambitions face delays from planning and energy challenges, report warns

by • AI, News

The UK risks losing momentum in the global race to build the infrastructure for AI because of planning and energy constraints, according to a new report from the Centre for British Progress think tank. The study, Unblocking AI Growth Zones, argues that outdated regulatory processes, environmental approvals and pressure on the electricity grid could slow or derail major data centre projects. The authors say that while private investment of more than £30 billion has been committed to new sites, barriers in the planning system may prevent projects from being delivered quickly enough to compete internationally. (more…)

Interface expands Woven Gradience carpet tile collection with new transition colourways inspired by nature   

Interface expands Woven Gradience carpet tile collection with new transition colourways inspired by nature   

by • Company news, Environment, Flooring

Interface, Inc the global flooring solutions company and sustainability leader, has introduced fresh colourways for its Woven Gradience™ carpet tile collectionInterface, Inc the global flooring solutions company and sustainability leader, has introduced fresh colourways for its Woven Gradience™ carpet tile collection. The biophilic-inspired collection now includes an expanded range of foundational and transition colourways, taking cues from the seamless gradients and flowing transitions found in nature. Building off the success of the collection’s initial launch in 2021, Woven Gradience’s updated colour palette meets the needs of today’s commercial spaces. Designers can explore strong statements, neutral tones, and all the options in between as they look to natural transition styles for design flexibility and wayfinding.  (more…)

«< 5 6 7 8 9 >»