Search Results for: environment

BIM provides opportunities for the built environment finds report

BIM provides built environment with opportunities for growth

Building Information Modelling (BIM) will raise productivity, provide better buildings, faster and cheaper and represents opportunities for the built environment to become a powerful international player. This is according to a major new report, Growth through BIM produced by Richard Saxon, the UK Government’s BIM Ambassador for Growth who concludes: “No wonder it has been mandated as government policy“. The Built Environment sector, for the purposes of his report, is defined as Property, Construction and Facilities Management, which accounts for about 15 per cent of GDP, and which he describes as: “an enabling sector, facilitating the performance of most other sectors”. (more…)

UK Green Building Council sets out its plans for the built environment

UK Green Building Council sets out future plans for sustainable future

The built environment is an engine for green growth and UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) intends to demonstrate how, says the sustainable buildings campaigner today as it outlines specific areas of focus to promote green building over the next 12 months. This follows the publication of its Impact Report earlier this week which reflected on some of its key initiatives over the past year, including the launch of Pinpoint, a new search engine for information on green building, the publication of a plan for growth strategy and its work to influence  government policy regarding the built environment.

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BIM task force group to represent built environment

BIM

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is of as much importance to those tasked with using and managing buildings as those involved in their design and construction and has led to the formation of the BIM4FM group, which represents institutes, trade associations and professional bodies within the built environment. Supported by the Cabinet Office Government Property Unit, the BIM4FM group will provide input into the on going development of BIM and work being developed through the Government Property Unit and BIM Task Group. Geoff Prudence, Chair of the BIM4FM group said: “Although BIM has long been discussed at the construction end of the supply chain it has only recently and repeatedly started to raise its profile with those operating and using buildings.” (more…)

Muted response from built environment sector to Budget 2013

BudgetThere’s been a muted reaction by the building and construction sector to the Budget announcement of a boast to infrastructure investment and relief that revised energy management regulations are likely to be pushed through. CIBSE has welcomed the news that the Government will be giving a detailed response to last year’s Consultation on changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, which covers energy efficiency, by May 2013. The body which represents building services engineers had raised concerns that delays in changes to Part L of Building Regulations in England should not hold up much needed, cost beneficial changes to Part L for the non-domestic market.

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Lead boldly, pivot strategically: redefine change leadership, before it redefines you

Lead boldly, pivot strategically: redefine change leadership, before it redefines you

The question isn't whether change will continue to accelerate—it's whether we'll rise to meet it with the leadership our times demand. Change management is no longer just a discipline, it’s a mindset. In today’s hyperconnected, rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to lead through constant transformation has become the defining characteristic of exceptional leadership, and one that is weighing heavily on all leaders. When leaders claim that “people don’t like change,” they’re missing a fundamental truth about human nature. We navigate change every single day, adapting our morning routines when a loved one falls ill, finding alternative routes when our train is cancelled, or pivoting our plans when circumstances shift. Change itself isn’t the problem. The issue is that people don’t like being changed or having transformation imposed upon them without agency, understanding, or involvement. (more…)

Climate health risks threaten global productivity, warns WEF

Climate health risks threaten global productivity, warns WEF

Climate-related health impacts could strip at least $1.5 trillion from global productivity by 2050, according to a new report from the World Economic ForumClimate-related health impacts could strip at least $1.5 trillion from global productivity by 2050, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF). The study warns that food and agriculture, the built environment, and health and healthcare are among the sectors most at risk unless businesses take urgent steps to adapt. The report, Building Economic Resilience to the Health Impacts of Climate Change, produced in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, highlights the growing economic burden of heat stress, infectious disease and other climate-driven health threats. It argues that protecting workforce health is now a strategic priority, not only for humanitarian reasons but also to safeguard business continuity and economic stability. (more…)

People are still powering productivity in the era of AI

People are still powering productivity in the era of AI

The rise in employers committing to employee-first productivity practices is encouraging. Ultimately, people are still at the heart of every organisation. AI will continue to develop, but with teams that bring personality and spark to their roles, businesses can boost efficiency without losing the human element.Employee productivity has been cast into the spotlight in recent months, thanks to the acceleration of AI. Our new research shows that 50 percent of businesses are prioritising employee productivity over the next two years, budgeting for resources that promote individual staff performance and effectiveness. AI’s growing role in the workplace is, of course, a key driver of this trend. But it’s not the only factor. Increased remote work and other operational challenges mean businesses are looking to maximise efficiency and get the best possible return on their investment. (more…)

Employees on a four-day week use their extra day off for housework, hobbies, ‘me-time’ and moonlighting

Employees on a four-day week use their extra day off for housework, hobbies, ‘me-time’ and moonlighting

New research claims to shed light on how employees who switch to a four-day week spend their additional day off – and some are using it to take on extra jobs.New research claims to shed light on how employees who switch to a four-day week spend their additional day off – and some are using it to take on extra jobs. As well as housework, hobbies and voluntary work, staff are also devoting time to education, caring responsibilities and side businesses that can sometimes compete with their main employment. The study, led by Dr Mengyi Xu, Dr Daniel Wheatley, Dr Holly Birkett and Professor Tony Dobbins of Birmingham Business School at the University of Birmingham, explored the experiences of employees, managers and executives at UK organisations using the ‘100:80:100 model’, where staff receive 100 percent of their pay while completing their workload in four days rather than five. (more…)

Ten projects named as 2025 Urban land Institute Europe Awards for Excellence finalists    

Ten projects named as 2025 Urban land Institute Europe Awards for Excellence finalists    

Ten projects from eight countries across the EMEA region have been announced as the finalists in the sixth annual Urban Land Institute Europe Awards for ExcellenceTen projects from eight countries across the EMEA region have been announced as the finalists in the sixth annual Urban Land Institute Europe Awards for Excellence, which recognise exemplar projects and programmes in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. This year’s finalists comprise cutting edge refurbishment, restoration and new build projects, and include residential, healthcare, mixed use, education, community, laboratory and office projects from Italy, Germany, the UK, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, France and Spain.    (more…)

Merck scraps plans for £1 billion London research centre in blow to life sciences sector

Merck scraps plans for £1 billion London research centre in blow to life sciences sector

US pharmaceutical company Merck, known as MSD in Europe, has withdrawn a planned £1 billion investment in a new discovery centre in London, citing the UK’s challenging environment for life sciencesUS pharmaceutical company Merck, known as MSD in Europe, has withdrawn a planned £1 billion investment in a new discovery centre in London, citing the UK’s challenging environment for life sciences. The decision will result in the closure of discovery research operations in the country and the loss of 125 jobs, although other research activities will continue. The facility, a 25,000 square foot headquarters in the Knowledge Quarter near King’s Cross, had been under construction and was due to open in 2027. The cancellation comes at a time when the government has identified life sciences as a key growth sector in its industrial strategy, with ambitions to make the UK Europe’s leading life sciences economy by 2030 and the third most significant globally by 2035. (more…)

Return to office policies now more common, but raise people’s expectation of better workplaces

Return to office policies now more common, but raise people’s expectation of better workplaces

The news that Microsoft has introduced a formal hybrid working policy has sparked the usual pointless to and fro on social media about return to office policies, but it would seem for a growing number of firms and their employees, the debate is overThe news that Microsoft has introduced a formal hybrid working policy has sparked the usual pointless to and fro on social media about return to office policies, but it would seem for a growing number of firms and their employees, the debate is over. According to new global research from JLL, 72 percent of employees now view attendance requirements in a positive light, but this shift comes with heightened expectations for workplace quality, flexibility and wellbeing. (more…)

People want performance over quirky features in their offices

People want performance over quirky features in their offices

A new report claims that employees are less interested in quirky office features and more concerned about how well their workplaces support performance.A new report claims that employees are less interested in quirky office features and more concerned about how well their workplaces support performance. Mitie’s latest Productivity Reset Report [registration requires you to receive marketing – you can’t opt out] highlights that while games areas and other recreational facilities may generate headlines, only 14 percent of employees believe such features contribute meaningfully to workplace satisfaction or productivity. In contrast, almost nine in ten (88 percent) said that a safe, well-maintained office is a critical factor in their day-to-day working experience. (more…)