November 23, 2023
#ACTUK23 inaugural Building Systems UK Accelerating Construction Transformation event.

#ACTUK23 inaugural Building Systems UK Accelerating Construction Transformation event.

Building Systems UK, an enterprise of Tata Steel, held its inaugural ‘Accelerating Construction Transformation’ event #ACTUK23 on 26th October at their Deeside facility. The event brought together over a hundred people, including architects, academics, construction experts, engineers and cladding contractors. Delegates heard keynote speakers on key topics around productivity, digital

Read More »
Henry Brothers Receives International Award For Environmental Best Practice

Henry Brothers Receives International Award For Environmental Best Practice

Leading construction company, Henry Brothers, has received an award for Environmental Best Practice at the Green Apple Environment Awards. Designed to recognise organisations across the world that show innovation and commitment to being environmentally responsible, Henry Brothers received the prestigious accolade for its work on SportPark Pavilion 4, built for

Read More »
New 634 bed tourism hostel opens its doors in Dublin

New 634 bed tourism hostel opens its doors in Dublin

A new 5,355 square metre tourism hostel has opened its doors in the heart of Dublin, which An Bord Pleanála described will ‘contribute positively to the animation of the area and provide an active use in itself.” The 634-bed hostel spreads over eleven floors and has been designed and delivered

Read More »
Glencar receives international acclaim for highly sustainable construction practices at Bardon Hill project in Leicestershire

Glencar receives international acclaim for highly sustainable construction practices at Bardon Hill project in Leicestershire

In a significant acknowledgement of the sustainable construction practices undertaken on the construction of a 56,000 sq ft warehouse development Glencar was honoured with the award of the highly prestigious international ‘Helping the Environment Green Apple Award’ at the International Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice. The completed warehouse,

Read More »
RIBA responds to Autumn Statement

RIBA responds to Autumn Statement

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to HM Treasury’s Autumn Statement, yesterday, Wednesday 22 November 2023.  RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:   “Today’s Autumn Statement shows that the Government is gearing up for an election, focusing on much-needed financial help for small businesses and the self-employed.    In terms of addressing the housing and climate crises, our expectations

Read More »
Natural History Museum appoints Mace for Reading centre

Natural History Museum appoints Mace for Reading centre

The Natural History Museum (NHM) has appointed Mace as its preferred main contractor to build a new 25,000m2 Collections, Research & Digitisation Centre at Thames Valley Science Park in Reading. Mace has been appointed to deliver pre-construction services including design and procurement. Other members of the project team include CPC

Read More »
New Chair of West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges announced

New Chair of West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges announced

The West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges has appointed Nikki Davis, CEO and Principal of Leeds College of Building, as its new Chair. In 2022, Nikki was appointed the first ever female CEO and Principal in Leeds College of Building’s 60-year history. Nikki, who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge

Read More »
The future of air travel: How flying can become more sustainable

The future of air travel: How flying can become more sustainable

According to recent data, in 2022, the aviation industry accounted for 2% of all CO2 emissions. Over the past few decades, flying has developed much more than roads, rails and shipping. Following the days of the pandemic, when people couldn’t even leave their homes, let alone travel, the number of

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

November 23, 2023

#ACTUK23 inaugural Building Systems UK Accelerating Construction Transformation event.

#ACTUK23 inaugural Building Systems UK Accelerating Construction Transformation event.

Building Systems UK, an enterprise of Tata Steel, held its inaugural ‘Accelerating Construction Transformation’ event #ACTUK23 on 26th October at their Deeside facility. The event brought together over a hundred people, including architects, academics, construction experts, engineers and cladding contractors. Delegates heard keynote speakers on key topics around productivity, digital integration and sustainability and had the chance to tour the on-site manufacturing facility. Barry Rust, Head of Market and Business Development, said event attendees shared Building Systems UK’s strong and cohesive view that construction transformation must accelerate to create a more productive, sustainable and resilient sector. The key question posed by the event was, how? He stressed, it’s not about discussing what we should do in the next ten years, but what we are doing now. We need to walk the walk, not merely talk the talk. During the event, Building Systems UK showcased exactly how it is ‘walking the walk’ by undertaking a Modern Method of Construction (MMC) Live Build in front of delegates, completing a small building within hours. The live demonstration involved the assembly ofa roof cassette using Building Systems UK products, including Trisomet insulated roof panels and Trisobuild Seam Profiles. BiPVco’s integrated PV panels provided a source of immediate and sustainable electricity, whilst maintaining a flush finish to the roof. The Live Build team lowered the roof cassette onto a pre-built structure and concluded the internal fit out to create an outdoor ‘wellness space’ for employees to enjoy. The team also demonstrated digital traceability through a tag and track system, which provides a digital to physical connection through a simple QR code. This delivers accurate traceability, driving optimum product use during the life of a project and enabling reuse at end of life. The Live Build went down exceptionally well with delegates, illustrating the speed that MMC can lend a project, reducing both time on site and construction costs. It provoked an interesting debate and highlighted the crucial role of collaboration throughout the supply chain in driving forward MMC innovation and construction transformation. Something Cat Griffith-Williams, Chief Executive of Constructing Excellence in Wales, touched on during her exceptional opening speech, sharing key examples of collaboration between the construction sector and the Welsh Government to ensure future new build and retrofit projects prioritise sustainability. #ACTUK23 panellist, Trudi Sully, Impact Lead at Mott MacDonald, also spoke about the importance of collaboration and the Seismic II demonstrator building, a collaborative platform based project which Building Systems UK worked on. Trudi said, “This is one of those great pioneering ambassador projects that demonstrates the opportunity to drive efficiency, reduce emissions, reduce costs and improve delivery.” After speaking in the ‘Delivering Sustainable Outcomes Today’ slot, Matthew Wenban-Smith, Director at One World Standards, and contributor to many pioneering projects within the sustainability field over his thirty-year career, described the event as. “Absolutely fantastic.” He discussed the massive step change he’d seen, from sustainability being viewed as ‘extra’ thirty years ago, to becoming absolutely core to businesses Reflecting on the overall success of the #ACTUK23 event, Jo Evans, Director of Building Systems UK, said it had been an amazing day, bringing together many like-minded people with similar goals. Building Systems UK showcased its commitment to not only supply innovative and sustainable construction products, but to collaborate with the entire supply chain to drive forward the change needed to make truly sustainable projects a reality. If you’re interested in collaborating with Building Systems UK, we’d love to hear from you – www.buildingsystemsuk.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Henry Brothers Receives International Award For Environmental Best Practice

Henry Brothers Receives International Award For Environmental Best Practice

Leading construction company, Henry Brothers, has received an award for Environmental Best Practice at the Green Apple Environment Awards. Designed to recognise organisations across the world that show innovation and commitment to being environmentally responsible, Henry Brothers received the prestigious accolade for its work on SportPark Pavilion 4, built for Loughborough University. Ian Taylor, Managing Director at Henry Brothers Construction, said: “It is fantastic to have been recognised on an international level for our efforts to help Loughborough University decarbonise its estate. “Having achieved Passivhaus Classic accreditation, widely regarded as the most challenging energy efficiency and comfort standards in the world, SportPark Pavillion 4 adds to our already impressive portfolio of sustainable builds. “This accolade is testament to the dedication of our staff to make a meaningful impact on the communities in which we operate and further strengthens our commitment to net zero.” In 2022, Henry Brothers launched its ‘Journey to Net Zero’ strategy, outlining its ambitious plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 2% each year by 2030. The award, which was presented at the Houses of Parliament, builds on these commitments and affirms the company’s dedication to sustainable partnerships. Joel Callow, Founding Director of Beyond Carbon Associates, worked alongside Henry Brothers to obtain Passivhaus Classic accreditation for the build. Joel said: “We are delighted that one of our favourite Passivhaus projects has won this prestigious award. “A notable achievement for Henry Brothers and setting a great example both for the region and nationally, as Sportpark Pavilion 4 is one of the very few certified Passivhaus office buildings in the UK. “Great leadership by Loughborough University.” For more information, visit henrybrothers.co.uk  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Read More »
New 634 bed tourism hostel opens its doors in Dublin

New 634 bed tourism hostel opens its doors in Dublin

A new 5,355 square metre tourism hostel has opened its doors in the heart of Dublin, which An Bord Pleanála described will ‘contribute positively to the animation of the area and provide an active use in itself.” The 634-bed hostel spreads over eleven floors and has been designed and delivered by HKR Architects for Abbey Cottages Limited and Clink Hostels. It features dining facilities, café, in-house bar, travel shop, luggage lockers and guest kitchen and a range of accommodation to suit travellers needs with private ensuite rooms, non-ensuite rooms, female only and mixed dorms with private or shared bathrooms and all air conditioned. Designed to contribute positively to the character and appearance of the area, the façade composition and mix of materials creates an interesting and playful frontage in keeping with the street conditions on Abbey Street Upper. Kola Ojeyomi, Director of HKR Architects comments, “Tourism is important to Ireland and Dublin and across the globe the growth for hostels is growing, primarily driven by the rising millennial population. It is vital that cities, including Dublin, have a wide range of differing accommodation types to align with this demand. “At Abbey Street Upper we have replaced existing commercial buildings on site to create a scheme with a plot area ratio of nine. This level of density has allowed us to achieve the optimum site value, something we take pride in delivering on all our sites.” The design has included setting back the upper two floors and roof of the development and has ensured that it reinforces and strengthens the civic character and dignity of its central location. Ivan Dolan from Clink Hostels comments, “Our new hostel, which is in the heart of one of the most up and coming areas of the city, is creating a new standard for the Irish market. We are delighted to have worked with HKR Architects to deliver the biggest hostel in the city, which forms part of our ambitious growth plans. “This high specification, modern and centrally located property also has sustainability at the forefront, making it the highest energy-environmentally rated hostel in Ireland.”   The use of glazing in the design for the first two floors, who houses the communal amenities allows light to flood into the space, while other windows are finished with obscure glazing to allow for privacy to the nearby residential apartments. For details on HKR Architects please visit www.hkrarchitects.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, HKR Architects, Instagram hkr_architects and Twitter @HKR_architects Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Read More »
Glencar receives international acclaim for highly sustainable construction practices at Bardon Hill project in Leicestershire

Glencar receives international acclaim for highly sustainable construction practices at Bardon Hill project in Leicestershire

In a significant acknowledgement of the sustainable construction practices undertaken on the construction of a 56,000 sq ft warehouse development Glencar was honoured with the award of the highly prestigious international ‘Helping the Environment Green Apple Award’ at the International Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice. The completed warehouse, delivered for customer JP Morgan prioritised sustainability at all levels, from energy consumption through to recycled material options. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, yesterday announced that it is been awarded the prestigious international ‘Helping the Environment Green Apple’ Award on its Bardon Hill project in Leicestershire.  The project saw the construction of a new 56,000 sq ft warehouse for JP Morgan with sustainability prioritised throughout the build process from energy consumption through to recycled material options. The International Green Apple Awards, presided over by The Green Organization honour achievements for International Environmental Best Practice and are much coveted.  The ceremony on the 20th November was held at the iconic Palace of Westminster and served as a momentous occasion both for the industry together with Glencar and its project delivery partners. The project brought together a paragon of highly sustainable, leading edge construction practices, integrating innovative and environmentally friendly techniques, alongside extensive waste management, recycling, resource efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives. It involved building a 56,000 sq ft warehouse with office space, parking, and landscaping. Lime stabilisation and prefabricated steel frame construction were used to reduce energy consumption and promote recyclability. Other sustainability initiatives included waste management, biodiversity promotion, mental health campaigns, and supporting local communities. The award directly recognises the project team’s achievements with the scheme achieving a BREEAM Outstanding score for the build of 87.2% and 100% for waste category performance.  It exceeds industry standards, and implemented innovative solutions like rainwater harvesting and solar panels, Attending the event to collect the award was Glencar Operations Director; Kevin O’Connor, Commercial Manager; Adam Scott and Project Manager; Mat Stowe who oversaw construction and the processes involved from start to finish. Speaking about the award Kevin, Adam and Mat said: “The International Green Apple Awards serve as a highly prestigious international level recognition, celebrating and honouring those companies and organisations in the built environment that demonstrate environmental best practices. Winning this award therefore places Glencar Construction within a select group of companies at the forefront of the sustainable construction movement within the industrial and logistics sector, confirming its position as a pioneer in the field. This project exemplifies our commitment to creating a sustainable future and dedication to excellence, integrity, customer satisfaction and innovation. We are honoured to receive this recognition and will continue to innovate in our projects, ensuring environmental considerations are at the forefront of everything we do.  On behalf of the full Bardon project team I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication towards creating a more sustainable future. For further information about the award and Bardon Hill project please visit: https://glencar.com/case-study/bardon-2-unit-3-coalville/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Read More »
Pandemic market boom adds £1.6tn to total value of the property market

Pandemic market boom adds £1.6tn to total value of the property market

Research by Yopa, the award-winning national estate agency, has revealed that the total value of the property market across England is estimated to have climbed by £1.6tn as a result of the pandemic property market boom, driven by a 25% increase in the average value of a home.  Yopa analysed the total value of the bricks and mortar market based on the total number of dwellings and the average value of a home, looking at how both have changed since the market went into overdrive during the pandemic.  National look The research shows that in December 2019, prior to the pandemic, the average home across England was worth £248,097. With some 24.4m dwellings found across England in 2019, this put the total estimated value of the property market just shy of £6.1tn. Fast forward to today, and the average house price has climbed by 25%, now sitting at £309,602. There has also been an increase in the number of homes, albeit more marginal at 1.9%, although this still equates to an increase of 459,191.  As a result, Yopa estimates that the total value of the property market currently stands at £7.7tn, an increase of £1.6tn (27%) since the start of the pandemic.  National look The research shows that in December 2019, prior to the pandemic, the average home across England was worth £248,097. With some 24.4m dwellings found across England in 2019, this put the total estimated value of the property market just shy of £6.1tn. Fast forward to today, and the average house price has climbed by 25%, now sitting at £309,602. There has also been an increase in the number of homes, albeit more marginal at 1.9%, although this still equates to an increase of 459,191.  As a result, Yopa estimates that the total value of the property market currently stands at £7.7tn, an increase of £1.6tn (27%) since the start of the pandemic.  Regional increases The South East has seen the largest jump in the total value of the region’s property market, increasing by £311bn as a result of the pandemic property market boom.  Despite the capital underperforming compared to the rest when it comes to pandemic house price growth, the London market is worth some £251.3bn more today versus the pre-pandemic market in 2019.  While the North East has seen the smallest increase in total market value, the region’s bricks and mortar market is still worth £45bn more today versus the 2019.  Local authority look Cornwall ranks top at local authority level, with £24.3bn added to the value of the Cornish property market as a result of the pandemic, no doubt driven by those looking to escape city life during lockdown restrictions. Buckinghamshire (+£23.4bn), Birmingham (+£22.2bn), Leeds (+£21.4bn) and North Yorkshire (+£20.1bn) have also seen some of the largest monetary increases in the value of their respective property markets since the start of the pandemic.   CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented:  “With all the current doom and gloom surrounding the property market it’s quite easy to forget that we’ve just witnessed one of the most sustained periods of house price growth in living memory.  “So while higher mortgage rates and buyer uncertainty may have dampened the current rate of house price growth, this reduction is just a drop in the ocean compared to the meteoric increases seen since the start of the pandemic property market boom.  “To think that the bricks and mortar market across England is estimated to be worth £1.6tn more compared to just a few years ago is quite incredible and it really does demonstrate the strength of the property market when viewed on a long-term basis.” Sources Average house price data sourced from the Gov – UK House Price Index – December 2019 vs September 2023 – latest available) Dwellings stock levels sourced from Gov – Subnational estimates of dwellings by tenure, England (2019 vs 2021 – latest available) Total market value based on dwellings stock multiplied by the average house price in each area Full breakdown of England by each local authority available via the link below. Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Read More »
RIBA responds to Autumn Statement

RIBA responds to Autumn Statement

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to HM Treasury’s Autumn Statement, yesterday, Wednesday 22 November 2023.  RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:   “Today’s Autumn Statement shows that the Government is gearing up for an election, focusing on much-needed financial help for small businesses and the self-employed.    In terms of addressing the housing and climate crises, our expectations have not been met. While steps to deliver more local authority homes and speed up the planning system are welcome, funding levels for public sector housing continue to fall short. Fees for an improved planning service to businesses are welcome, but we also need systemic reform of our dysfunctional planning system. It’s also disappointing to see no long-term plan to retrofit our existing housing stock – a critical step to decarbonise our built environment, create jobs and level up the country.  We will continue to work with the Government to ensure we build the high-quality, sustainable homes and places we desperately need.”   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Read More »
Natural History Museum appoints Mace for Reading centre

Natural History Museum appoints Mace for Reading centre

The Natural History Museum (NHM) has appointed Mace as its preferred main contractor to build a new 25,000m2 Collections, Research & Digitisation Centre at Thames Valley Science Park in Reading. Mace has been appointed to deliver pre-construction services including design and procurement. Other members of the project team include CPC Project Services as Project Managers, Arcadis as Cost Consultants, Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios as Architects, and Ramboll as Mechanical & Electrical and Civil & Structural Engineers. Subject to planning permission, which has recently been submitted to Wokingham Borough Council, in 2024 the Museum will begin constructing a sustainable new facility together with Mace at Thames Valley Science Park, the innovation campus of the University of Reading in Shinfield. It is expected that the construction of the building will be finished in 2027. The project is generously enabled through a substantial £201m investment from the UK Government as part of its priority to increase investment in science, research and development. By 2031, the centre will be operational, equipped with cutting edge laboratories, space for Museum scientists and purpose-built storage for 28 million specimens. Transporting these specimens to Shinfield will be as big as any move of natural history specimens globally. Gareth Lewis, Mace’s CEO for Construct said: “We’re very proud to have been appointed to deliver this landmark scientific facility on behalf of the Natural History Museum. Together with our supply chain we will be raising the bar on sustainability and apply the latest digital thinking to deliver the project to the highest quality and safety standards.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Radonova Sweden to manufacture a state-of-the-art instrument to assist researchers in understanding climate change

Radonova Sweden to manufacture a state-of-the-art instrument to assist researchers in understanding climate change

Uppsala-based Radonova has been commissioned to manufacture a new highly sensitive radon instrument. The instrument, ARMON, was developed by the Technical University of Barcelona (UPC) and will be manufactured under license. With the new instrument, it is possible to measure radon levels in outdoor air with great precision, even when the levels are very low. Several different techniques helping researchers understand how the climate is changing are based on the use of “tracers”. Radon is an inert gas (does not chemically react with other substances), which makes it an excellent tracer for measuring other pollutants in the atmosphere like carbon dioxide (CO2). Radon is most known for causing lung cancer when at elevated levels in our indoor environments. Radon also exists in our outdoor environments but in very low concentrations. The ARMON is capable of measuring very low radon levels in the atmosphere.Radonova’s expertise is being used in a new context Radonova has a long tradition of working with radon measurement and is currently a global leader in the field. The company offers various detectors, instruments, applications, and services that can be used to measure radon in different contexts and environments. “In most cases, we work with indoor radon measurement where harmful high radon levels can occur through various types of leakage. That we now have the trust to manufacture a precision instrument like ARMON for outdoor measurement makes us very proud. It feels very valuable to contribute our expertise in radon measurement even in this context. Issues related to sustainability and climate change are also high on our agenda,” comments Karl Nilsson, CEO of Radonova Laboratories. How ARMON will be used “There are different types of networks for measuring radioactive emissions from nuclear power plants and from nuclear weapons testing. Measurement of the radioactive radon levels in the atmosphere provides an understanding of how greenhouse gases spread. With this, ARMON becomes a new tool in today’s global warming issues,” says Radonova’s Dag Sedin, senior advisor and product manager at Radonova. ARMON will be used in the ICOS network of measurement stations. ICOS stands for “Integrated Carbon Observation System” which is a European research infrastructure aimed at measuring, monitoring, and understanding the carbon cycle in the Earth’s atmosphere, land, and sea. Its focus is on investigating and quantifying the exchange of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases between different parts of the environment, as well as assessing the role of carbon dioxide in climate change. ICOS requires extremely high quality for an instrument to be used at the stations. ARMON meets these requirements and is approved by ICOS. Read more about ICOS Sweden at https://www.icos-cp.eu/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Read More »
New Chair of West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges announced

New Chair of West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges announced

The West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges has appointed Nikki Davis, CEO and Principal of Leeds College of Building, as its new Chair. In 2022, Nikki was appointed the first ever female CEO and Principal in Leeds College of Building’s 60-year history. Nikki, who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, is committed to leading this unique collaboration of colleges to transform lives through learning, and strive for continuous improvement for FE in West Yorkshire. Under Nikki’s leadership, Leeds College of Building is focused on diversity, inclusivity, and access for all to the opportunities offered by the construction sector. The College is also engaged in green and sustainable skills training to help contribute to critical national net-zero targets. Nikki will chair the consortium which consists of the seven principals of the FE Colleges in West Yorkshire. The board meets regularly to agree collaborative opportunities that will increase the skills of the people and businesses of the region. The consortium strives to build capacity, increase accessibility and drive up the quality of learning in West Yorkshire’s colleges and partner organisations. As Chair, Nikki will work closely with the principals and WYCC Director, Joanne Patrickson to influence and support the skills agenda in the region, and work with key partners such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, chambers of commerce and other partners working to meet the skills needs. Nikki Davis, CEO and Principal of Leeds College of Building, said,“I am delighted to take up the role of West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges Chair. This is an exciting time for WYCC, and I look forward to supporting its important work with education providers and businesses to boost crucial skill levels across the region. “Collaborating on WYCC projects is essential to tackle regional skills gaps and contribute to economic growth. As Chair, I hope to support even more initiatives promoting training in digital technologies and green skills alongside furthering social mobility and diversity across our regional workforce.” Joanne Patrickson, Project Director for WYCC said,“We are really pleased that Nikki is chairing the consortium. Nikki brings so much to the role and has a great insight into FE and the regional skills agenda, we will value and welcome her support.” Under the collaboration of the consortium, the colleges have just secured nearly £7million in funding from the Department for Education, the Local Skills Improvement Fund. This funding will be managed by the WYCC across the seven college partners to digitise teaching and learning across a number of key sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
The future of air travel: How flying can become more sustainable

The future of air travel: How flying can become more sustainable

According to recent data, in 2022, the aviation industry accounted for 2% of all CO2 emissions. Over the past few decades, flying has developed much more than roads, rails and shipping. Following the days of the pandemic, when people couldn’t even leave their homes, let alone travel, the number of international trips has climbed back up again, being around 80% of the pre-pandemic levels.  And even though the new aircraft is much more efficient than the models they have replaced, climate activists remain concerned about their impact on the environment. Here are some of the measures the industry could adopt to become environmentally friendly and leave the allegations of unsustainability in the past.  Education  Becoming more educated about the environment, how climate change works and how global warming harms the planet are all crucial when it comes to offsetting the damage of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet. Posters, digital displays, informative programs and announcements are all effective ways to raise awareness about the effects of travelling. Sustainable aviation fuel, also known as SAF, is made from any feedstock other than crude oil. The supply is currently limited, but it can be a way to significantly reduce emissions.  It can be blended at levels of anywhere between 10% and 50%, depending on how it is produced. Most of the fuel used comes from renewable sources and includes rapeseed, palm oil or corn. It can also be derived from the by-products of previous production processes, so food waste and cooking oils might also prove efficient.  Parking  Although it is an often-overlooked consideration, airport parking is crucial for the space to function well. Heathrow Airport parking, for instance, is vital when you’re embarking on a long trip and want to be sure that your vehicle is well-protected in the meantime. There are several ways in which parking lots could become more sustainable. The first and most important is the installation of an electric vehicle charging station. Although electric cars have become more popular over the past few years, the infrastructure necessary to keep them running is often lacking, creating challenges for drivers.  Using solar power or other alternative forms of creating electricity helps as well. Clean energy from sunlight harnesses the power and drastically reduces the carbon footprint associated with the facilities. Even when eco-friendly energy isn’t used broadly, LED lighting and other energy-efficient designs should still be utilised. Many of these appliances and devices generally have longer lifespans as well. Many of them are also designed to include smart lighting control and natural ventilation.  Airport parking Gatwick cycle parking is available as well, in the South Terminal on the south of A23 and next to NCR21. This is the perfect thing for eco-conscious travellers who prefer to go on their bikes instead of behind the wheel of a car. And, of course, there’s always the option to install green roofs and harvest rainwater to reduce wastage. The design also enhances the space’s aesthetic appeal and minimises the heat island effect that is so common around urban areas.  Incentives  Incentives play a crucial role in helping the passengers address their own carbon emissions. The easiest way to offset the emissions is directly from the airline by choosing to pay an extra fee alongside the usual flying costs. The sum will later be redirected to a carbon offset scheme. While this type of program is still not universal, it is much more popular than it used to be not long ago. It’s essential to do your research before picking an offer.  You should analyse how the offsets are calculated. There might be a problem if they’re just mileage-based, there might be a problem, but figures resulting from more comprehensive analysis are more trustworthy. The type of projects the airline is funding, the percentage of the money that goes into the environmental ventures, and the certification they possess will all offer you a clear indication of what you can expect.  Technology  Tech solutions are revolutionising all industry areas, helping make the world more efficient and sustainable. Aviation is already heavily reliant on technology and complex systems, so it only makes sense that it will continue to develop in this area. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can help airlines determine the most efficient flight paths that can minimise the incidence of delays, reduce fuel consumption, and help the environment.  Wind speed, temperature and weather patterns are analysed side by side to reduce flying times. Some airlines already use these metrics to decrease emissions and claim that they have saved 2.5 million metric tonnes yearly. Companies can also sell their SAF investments as ancillary that go towards the development of sustainable fuels. This could help accelerate the adoption of more sustainable methods, which can often be pricey and are still in the earlier development stages.  Technology can also be used to decrease the load factor. Any unnecessary weight should be balanced well because it increases the amount of fuel that is burned. The typical figures show that anywhere between 2.5 to 4.5% of the additional weight is used per hour of flight. If seat capacity is maximised, and the space for essential cargo is enlarged while also setting luggage weight restrictions in place and minimising the number of unnecessary items, all of this could be a concern of the past.  Airports of Tomorrow  Airports are also rethinking what they could do to become more sustainable and align with environmental considerations. The initiative known as Airports of Tomorrow focuses on meeting these demands through the creation of new infrastructure that can facilitate the transition to clean energy. It aims to bring climate experts, government leaders and representatives from the aviation industry together to find solutions that can help the sector reach net zero emission goals.  Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for individuals, institutions, corporations and legislators. People are becoming more aware of the existential threat created by a warming planet and the fact that everyone must do their part to avert a worsening situation and an Earth that would become

Read More »