Conservatory and Glass Industry The conservatory and glass industry is on the rise in the UK. Many consumers opt for conservatories in their homes because It gives them additional space, and it helps them with personalising their homes. Their functionality is vast as they are used as a home office,
The second phase of Stoke-On-Trent’s heat network began today (Thursday, 26th Sept) when civic and business leaders, and students from Stoke on Trent College’s Urban Heat Academy attended a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the latest 1.4km installation of flow and return pipework. The district heating network is
Tarkett has been recognised for its commitment to the environment at the Willmott Dixon Better Together Supply Chain Awards. The leader in innovative flooring solutions picked up the Sustainability award. This award acknowledges the supply chain partner who works closely with Willmott Dixon to deliver sustainable initiatives across its project
A village in Nottinghamshire is taking a major step into the future of ecological house building with the construction of two innovative eco-estates. Constructed by Gusto Homes, the two estates; Collingham Park and Collingham Brook are at the cutting edge of green residential development. Thought to be the largest housing
If your company produces hazardous waste at any point, then it is your responsibility to make sure there is a viable waste management system in place to deal with it. Failure to do so can result in damage to the environment and harm to human health. Hazardous waste can be
Leading energy and services Group, ENGIE, has been announced as the preferred bidder for two new significant contracts with Milton Keynes Council. ENGIE has been appointed by the Council to deliver a range of innovative energy improvements and carbon reduction initiatives to the Council’s land and built assets through the
Starting a construction project can be a daunting task. There are so many things that you need to consider to complete your numerous building tasks. On that note, often big jobs require the use of a wide array of equipment. These pieces include road sweepers, dumpers, telehandlers, rollers, shovels, and
Stricter regulations within the electrical industry would have a significant uplift on the economy while also driving massive improvements in public safety, a leading industry figure has said. Speaking yesterday morning (Thurs Sept 19) on BBC Radio Scotland, Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), welcomed
WORCESTER-based Mainstay Group has appointed a new Managing Director, following a period of planned and sustained growth. The full-service property management company has brought on Andy Billson to head up its residential property management arm of the business. Andy joins the Group from residential giant Barratt Homes, where as Managing
As part of the 10th annual World Green Building Week, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has issued a bold new vision for how buildings and infrastructure around the world can reach 40% less embodied carbon emissions by 2030, and achieve 100% net zero emissions buildings by 2050. Together, building
Conservatory and Glass Industry The conservatory and glass industry is on the rise in the UK. Many consumers opt for conservatories in their homes because It gives them additional space, and it helps them with personalising their homes. Their functionality is vast as they are used as a home office, entertaining area and even a greenhouse. Research has indicated that conservatories can be viewed as a cost-effective method of cultivating new space for your friends and family as well as for increasing the value of your property. Despite the uncertainties that the current political situation adds to the mix, construction is not struggling as much as we expected the ongoing demand for construction of personal homes and business continuously growing, the glazing industry has skyrocketed to unforeseen levels. To provide context, “glaziers” are often requested to both add artistic flair and constructional components to a variety of construction projects. Both the conservatory and glass industry are on a steady uphill path in the UK, and by the looks of it, their progress doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The Expanding Conservatory and Glass industry When building a conservatory, several factors from foundations, cost, and permits have to come in place. Typically, if an individual or business wants to invest in a conservatory, at least a few thousand pounds must be set aside. The pricing scale relating to the conservatory industry is dependent on several factors. Some of these factors include building foundations, materials used in construction, height and width, and unique or seasonal offers. In general conservatories prices may start from around £4,000 to £6,500 for a “small standard” room up to £25,000 to £50,000 (or more) for rooms such as bespoke orangeries. Examples of different types of conservatories include standard conservatories, Victorian conservatories, P, T, L shaped conservatories, and orangery rooms. Consumers have many options to choose from. Partly, the progress in the UK conservatory industry is driven by innovation. More people are gaining confidence in installing conservatories thanks to improvements in conservatory roofing and temperature regulation. New materials are also being introduced. Instead of just the traditional wooden and plastic structures, metal frame conservatories are coming into fashion. Nevertheless, before diving into the conservatory world, it is essential to only deal with accredited or adequately certified installers. One of the most notable companies in the conservatory industry is the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF). Recently, it has been reported that GGF gained approximately 67 new members during 2018 and its members had achieved a record number of assignments with over 200,000 UK homeowners. Specifically, as it relates to conservatories, research has implied that the number of units installed during 2018 has jumped by 9% – the highest level since 2009. Overall, in-depth investigation has suggested that the market has seen £1.4 billion in revenue and now is responsible for the employment of 9,616 individuals. In tandem with the growing conservatory industry, the glass industry has too seen a steady growth. GGF not only manages certifications relating to conservatories but it also oversees ragulations relating to the production and installation of glazing products. Within the glazing industry, contractors are typically expected to install glass and glass products in locations ranging from new buildings, commercial, and public sector markets. With the ever-growing architectural demands of today’s society, the glazier industry is more relevant than ever before. Given that industry performance is procyclical, or related to economic fluctuations, over the next five years it is expected to grow at a compound rate of 8%. What’s Next for the Conservatory and Glass Industry? As the conservatory and glass industry begin to reach new heights, new threats and breaks must be recognized. Residential construction is expected to request new glazing for houses, but opportunities in office development have been stalled due to the situation with Brexit. Furthermore, the growing environmental concerns of consumers will demand more eco-friendly installations that companies must be prepared to meet. Nevertheless, despite these heightened concerns and challenges, the expansion of the industry must be celebrated. An expanding industry means new jobs, new jobs means economic growth, and economic growth leads to prosperity for everyone involved.
The second phase of Stoke-On-Trent’s heat network began today (Thursday, 26th Sept) when civic and business leaders, and students from Stoke on Trent College’s Urban Heat Academy attended a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the latest 1.4km installation of flow and return pipework. The district heating network is led by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and the latest £1.9m phase follows on from pipes being laid under Leek Road in Stoke earlier this year. Sustainable energy specialist Vital Energi is carrying out this second phase of the works which will take 30 weeks to complete. In addition to providing Stoke-on-Trent businesses and homes with cleaner, greener energy, it will also provide young engineers with a valuable opportunity to learn the latest industry skills. Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for the environment, helped to break the ground on the project. He said: “This network is all about providing sustainable, cleaner and greener energy to power our city for generations to come. We’re a forward looking city, and we are committed to doing all we can to protect and improve our environment. It’s a pioneering initiative – nowhere else in the country is developing a heat network with the ambition and scope that we are underway with. “Careful mapping of our city’s geology has shown us that there is geothermal energy under Stoke-on-Trent, and the deep seam coalmining of the past has helped us to identify its source. It is serendipitous that our energy source of the past could help us in powering our city for the future. Our plans for the network are that it will eventually go on to be powered by these hot underground rocks. “We’re thrilled to be launching this latest phase of works. It is the next stage of a total 18km of pipes that will be installed over the next four years stretching across the city. As the scheme develops, we’ll be talking to businesses and the households to explain how they can be part of the network.” Stoke on Trent College’s Urban Heat Academy will work with contractors and employers involved in the design, installation, management and maintenance of the District Heat Network to provide apprenticeships and work-related training Skills needs already identified include groundworks, site management and surveying. The academy has also identified training on fusion welding, using new automated ultrasonic testing methods, to ensure the pipe work is installed to the highest standards. As part of this work, college staff have travelled to Denmark to work with specialist pre-insulated pipe suppliers. Ryan Johnson, Campus Director at Stoke on Trent College, said: “Over recent months we have seen just how important an issue climate change is, to young people here in the UK and across the world. “It is important that local people realise that Stoke-on-Trent is leading the way in developing greener energy systems and that, right on their doorstep, there are opportunities to get involved in this important work. “As the UK focuses on renewable energy, projects like the District Heat Networks will create new jobs and an opportunity for young people to skill up in new areas of construction.” Vital Energi will be employing a local apprentice, from the College’s Urban Heat Academy, who will be working on the scheme via day release for the duration of the contract works. Ashley Walsh, Vital Energi’s Operations Director (Infrastructure) said: “Projects like this can offer fantastic opportunities to deliver community benefits such as employment and training to local people and we are delighted to be working on such a visionary scheme. This project has, not only the potential to expand and become a major heat network, but also to become one of the first successful geothermal schemes in the UK, making it a truly important contribution to the UK’s energy infrastructure.” The district heat network is a multi-million pound programme that has attracted funding from central government and support from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Alun Rogers, acting chair of the LEP, said: “The district heat network demonstrates that Stoke-on-Trent is a city of innovation and will provide sustainable energy for communities and businesses. “A key part of this project is involving engineers of the future – developing their skills in what is an increasingly important sector. “The district heat network is one of our flagship projects. We are a pioneering area in terms of green energy development – improving our environment and bringing wider economic benefits.”
Tarkett has been recognised for its commitment to the environment at the Willmott Dixon Better Together Supply Chain Awards. The leader in innovative flooring solutions picked up the Sustainability award. This award acknowledges the supply chain partner who works closely with Willmott Dixon to deliver sustainable initiatives across its project portfolio. Committed to “Doing Good. Together.” Tarkett’s has an eco-innovation strategy that is based on Cradle to Cradle® principles and promotes the circular economy, with the ultimate goal of contributing to people’s health and wellbeing, and preserving natural capital. One of the key reasons Tarkett was chosen as the winner for the award was for its Restart® Programme. The initiative is dedicated to the collection of post-installation and post-consumer flooring, with the aim of recycling and reusing it as a new resource. The award was collected on behalf of Tarkett by Mark Burton, Key Account Manager – National Frameworks. Simon Rogers, Marketing Director at Tarkett, commented: “Our aim is to create a future for all, where people and the planet prosper. To achieve this, we have developed a circular economy methodology whereby we responsibly source materials, combat global warming and improve indoor air quality and wellbeing through our products. Being recognised for our commitment to sustainable practices highlights the good we are doing and our positive impact on the environment.” For more information about Tarkett’s sustainability credentials visit https://professionals.tarkett.co.uk/en_GB/.
A village in Nottinghamshire is taking a major step into the future of ecological house building with the construction of two innovative eco-estates. Constructed by Gusto Homes, the two estates; Collingham Park and Collingham Brook are at the cutting edge of green residential development. Thought to be the largest housing development in the UK to be heated using geothermal energy, Collingham Park is a residential development with 60 retirement apartments and bungalows. Using geothermal energy from 32 boreholes reaching 120 metres underground, the technology will cut resident’s energy bills by around 75%. The adjacent site, Collingham Brook offers 45 properties including spacious three and four bedroom passive solar homes. The houses at Collingham Brook, which are triple glazed and super insulated, generate the majority of their energy from rooftop solar panels, which provide free electricity for heating and hot water. Gusto Homes has previously used their passive solar homes designs at its acclaimed Woodlands Edge development in Lincolnshire, where 29 eco-homes have been built around private woodland near Lincoln, including homes which cost just £1 per day to run. Chief Executive of Gusto Homes, Steff Wright said: “Over twenty years, Gusto Homes has been at the forefront of eco-home construction, but this is one of our most ambitious green projects to date, with an entire community benefiting from geothermal energy. “The technology we’re using to create this estate is game-changing, and it has the potential to transform the way homes are built in the future as we try to cut our emissions, reduce our impact on climate change and cut the energy costs for our homebuyers. Gusto Homes has used geothermal heat pumps in custom and self-build projects for several years, but never across an entire housing development on this scale. Using this natural, renewable energy, people living here will be able to enjoy high-quality homes with very low energy bills and a minimal carbon-footprint. “Since we started designing and building eco-homes two decades ago, we’ve been the first to use many technologies and techniques which are now used across the country; if the technology we’re using in this development becomes just as widespread in future, it would make a dramatic difference in the impact new housing has on the environment.” Collingham Park and Collingham Brook are adjacent developments in the Nottinghamshire village of Collingham near Newark. Both developments use cutting edge green innovations to deliver high quality energy-efficient homes for people who want to enjoy their leisure time in comfortable, stylish homes. Alongside housing, the developments will also include green spaces, a nursery, a gym, office space, business units, allotments and a local Men in Sheds building which older men and women can use to develop their wood-working and other practical skills. The geothermal boreholes at Collingham Park are being drilled by Nicholls Boreholes; the only firm in the UK to be fully MCS accredited for the design, drilling and installation of ground source heat pumps. Drilling Manager for Nicholls Boreholes, Tim Holland said: “While this is the largest scale project we’ve worked on, geothermal technology is surprisingly straight forward, reliable and efficient: Essentially, pipes carry very cold water deep underground, where the natural heat of the earth raises the water’s temperature. The water loops back up to the surface where a heat pump extracts the heat energy using a process that’s similar to that of a household refrigerator. For every kilowatt that it takes to power the heat pump, it produces up to four kilowatts of energy which means it can cut your heating bills to just 25% of the rate you’d normally pay. “Ground source energy is a big outlay, but it quickly covers its cost through green energy production and through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) so all big developments should be using this technology so they can use renewable heat from the ground. While gas and other fuels won’t always be there and wind and solar energy isn’t as reliable in the UK as in other countries, the heat in the ground will always be there and it’s certainly the way we should be looking. “It’s great that Gusto Homes is using one of the most efficient renewable energy sources available in this country; they’ve committed to a good and efficient system which will provide green energy for many many years to come.” You can find out more about Gusto Homes and its Collingham Park, Collingham Brook and Woodlands Edge eco-home projects at www.gustohomes.co.uk.
If your company produces hazardous waste at any point, then it is your responsibility to make sure there is a viable waste management system in place to deal with it. Failure to do so can result in damage to the environment and harm to human health. Hazardous waste can be liquid, solid, sludge, or even contained gases. Whatever form it takes, there is a risk that it could contaminate groundwater and surface water supplies. This in turn can present a threat to human and environmental health. As a result, the UK government has outlined strict requirements for the monitoring and managing of hazardous waste. The following guide serves to help you plan a suitable waste management system for your hazardous waste. We’ve teamed up with 8 yard skip supplier Reconomy, who are experts in managing all types of waste, to provide this overview: Types of hazardous waste The most common types of hazardous waste are: construction, demolition, industry, and agriculture. There are many different examples of hazardous waste, including but not limited to: asbestos, batteries, brake fluid, printer toner, pesticides, solvents, oils, and ozone-depleting substances (such as those found in some fridges). If your company produces or stores these types of materials, then the duty of care and responsibility for these materials falls on you. The first stage of effective hazardous waste management is to identify what the substance is. This should then be stored separately from your general waste, as well as any other types of hazardous material. Safe storage Of course, the first aim of hazardous waste management should be to reduce the amount of hazardous waste that your company produces. But for any that is unavoidable, it should be stored and labelled clearly so that anyone on-site knows what it is. To prevent contamination, waterproof covers should be used to prevent any run off. Each type of hazardous waste should be stored separately, and for liquid waste, barriers or bunds should be used to prevent leakages or spills. For the duration of these materials being stored on-site, regular checks should be carried out to ensure the containers are not damaged or leaking. Keep a classified inventory of the hazardous waste on-site as well, so that if an incident does occur, you have information available for the emergency services. Record-keeping Hazardous waste needs to be accounted for when it is collected, so your business will need to fill out a consignment note. This note needs completing before the waste is collected. A consignment note is required for: A consignment is not required for: Details for the consignment note To correctly fill out your consignment note, you need to accurately detail the following: With the note filled out, you then need to pay the fee. For England and Wales, the fee is £10 per collection, or £5 per collection within a milk round. For Scotland and Northern Ireland though, the fee is usually £15.
Leading energy and services Group, ENGIE, has been announced as the preferred bidder for two new significant contracts with Milton Keynes Council. ENGIE has been appointed by the Council to deliver a range of innovative energy improvements and carbon reduction initiatives to the Council’s land and built assets through the national Re:fit Energy Performance Contract framework. The Re:fit framework, co-owned and managed by Local Partnerships and the Greater London Authority (GLA) allows public sector bodies to achieve guaranteed financial benefits through energy efficiency and generation projects. ENGIE will initially assess a number of Council buildings and thereafter deliver energy-saving projects under an Energy Performance Guarantee. The first phase of the Re:fit project is expected to attract an initial capital investment, addressing authority owned sheltered housing and other buildings. It is expected that further phases of the project could attract further investment in excess of £50m, likely involving large scale renewable energy and storage projects, directly linked to the delivery of the Council’s strategic development plans. ENGIE has also been appointed to provide facilities management services in a 7+3 year contract. Procured through the ESPO public sector owned professional buying framework, ENGIE will deliver a portfolio of building maintenance, cleaning, security and helpdesk services. Sam Hockman, Divisional Chief Operating Officer at ENGIE said: “As a business, we are deeply committed to making the journey to zero carbon happen. It is great to partner with a customer like Milton Keynes Council, who share the vision of a post-carbon society. We cannot wait to provide our energy and asset management expertise in support of the Council’s ambitions.” Milton Keynes Council has previously announced ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon negative by 2050, which the contracts with ENGIE will help to achieve. Council Leader Pete Marland is clear on the commitments, saying “We want MK to be the world’s first post-carbon city, and how we manage our own assets is an important step towards this goal. ENGIE demonstrated a clear understanding of our ambitious targets for carbon reduction and the same commitment to delivering a significant impact through their work.” ENGIE has long term experience in successfully providing both facilities management and energy efficiency services to a wide range of public sector establishments and is due to begin works on both Milton Keynes contracts later this year.
Starting a construction project can be a daunting task. There are so many things that you need to consider to complete your numerous building tasks. On that note, often big jobs require the use of a wide array of equipment. These pieces include road sweepers, dumpers, telehandlers, rollers, shovels, and attachments. FGS Plant is a UK based construction company that has a wide range of utilities available for quick order. With our competitive hire rates, flexible hire periods, free site survey, and telephone support, we are the premier destination for purchasing or considering equipment for your constructional needs. Despite the wide variety of construction companies in the UK, FGS plant is specific in the fact that we are dedicated to providing you with quality service to fulfill your personal and professional goals. We have a broad range of plant available to hire. Whatever your requirements, FGS Plant guarantees to meet your needs and surpass your requirements. Things to Consider When Looking For the Plant Hire Services: Most companies have come to understand that there are many benefits associated with selecting to work with a plant hire service. Employing a plant hire service can help them save money because they can rent as opposed to buying expensive constructional equipment. Despite the apparent economic benefit of hiring a plant hire service, one must consider additional factors when looking to purchase equipment. With that said, purchasing any piece of equipment comes with obligations that we all need to be made aware of. The first thing to do before hiring a plant hire service, is to do your research. Before purchasing equipment or engaging in a professional plant hire service you must understand what your end goals are. By doing this, you can prevent yourself from pairing with a company that does not have the skills or resources to meet your constructional needs. Also, credibility is another factor to consider. You must ask yourself, “How do the majority of people rate this plant hire service?” If you discover that a majority of people have had a negative interaction with the company, you can save yourself a lot of time and stress. If you’re looking to engage with a plant hire Kent company then consider FGS Plant. On that note, the age of equipment and delivery time are also things to consider. Old building equipment can be a hazard to you and those around you. The state of the material you are receiving can also be the difference between establishing a safe environment or a hazardous one. Having the latter will lead to countless lawsuits and inconvenience on your company and its employees. Furthermore, depending on when you want your project completed, a plant hire service’s delivery time is a significant element. It is best to avoid companies that will not respect your time in regards to completing projects. Understanding the relationship a company has with time-sensitive projects is something to consider strongly before hiring a plant hire service. Requirements Every Plant Hire Services Should Meet: Not many people know this, but there are some aspects that all plant hire services should meet. One of these requirements states that all equipment must have a risk assessment or method statement carried out before being used. This risk assessment component is to ensure the safety of everyone involved with the construction process. All building equipment must have a qualified person in charge of the operation to ensure that the project is running smoothly without situations that could harm people. Finally, all equipment must have sufficient insurance cover for all personnel involved, members of the public, machinery and for each item being used. Conclusion: Since 2004, FGS Plant has become a leader in the South East but supplying a wide range of equipment to major contractors throughout the area. We are not like other suppliers; our goal is to exceed your expectations so that you can produce the best results. More ever, besides providing top-notch service, our equipment and staff meet the highest standards demanded by the Construction industry. When working with FGS Plant, you are guaranteed to receive professional service that promptly meets all of your building requirements.
Stricter regulations within the electrical industry would have a significant uplift on the economy while also driving massive improvements in public safety, a leading industry figure has said. Speaking yesterday morning (Thurs Sept 19) on BBC Radio Scotland, Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), welcomed moves by the Scottish Government to publish a consultation on the regulation of electricians. She told the BBC’s Andrew Black why change must come sooner rather than later. “In Scotland at this moment in time anyone can call themselves an electrician and carry out electrical work,” Fiona said. “Even if you decided tomorrow, Andrew, that radio is no longer for you, you could buy a van, call yourself an electrician, and it wouldn’t be against the law. “But electrical installation is what is described as a safety-critical activity. It’s always important that installations are safe, because if not, they can result in injury or death.” News of the consultation contained in the 2019-20 Programme for Government released earlier this month was immediately endorsed by SJIB and SELECT, the electrotechnical trade association. Both are among bodies campaigning to raise public awareness about the need to use registered electricians. “Some faults lie hidden for years, lurking behind a socket, under a floorboard or hidden in a wall, just waiting for a combination of circumstances for a flashpoint to occur,” said Fiona, who is also Head of Employment Affairs at SELECT. SELECT has estimated that as many as 16% of all domestic electricians operating in this country are either unqualified or under-qualified. They and others want the title of electrician protected in law, helping to ensure that anyone claiming to be an electrician would have the necessary qualifications, knowledge and experience to carry out work. “We would estimate that upskilling training would cost around £1,000 per person, so if that meant 10,000 unqualified or under-qualified people, that’s about £2million,” Fiona said. “But the benefit to the Scottish economy would be huge. We have made a cautious estimate of the net benefits to Scotland from proper, recognised, regulated electricians of around £58million. “By upskilling the workforce and regulating the playing field we would inevitably reduce damage caused by faulty work, there would be fewer injuries and deaths and better-functioning installations – but most importantly, happier and safer consumers.”
WORCESTER-based Mainstay Group has appointed a new Managing Director, following a period of planned and sustained growth. The full-service property management company has brought on Andy Billson to head up its residential property management arm of the business. Andy joins the Group from residential giant Barratt Homes, where as Managing Director, he was responsible for introducing an in-house property management service – Barratt Residential Asset Management – from 2012, until its successful sale in March 2019. At the time, it was the first developer outside of the retirement sector to launch such a service. Prior to that, he held various operational roles during his 21-year career with the Peverel Group, including setting up its specialised mixed-use brand consort. In his new role at Mainstay, Andy will report in to Group Managing Director Luke Sanders, and will work alongside his predecessor, Gary Crook, who has a new role as Managing Director for New Ventures. Luke Sanders, Group Managing Director at Mainstay, said: “Andy’s appointment comes at a fitting time for Mainstay Group, as our residential part of the business continues to flourish and develop. “To have secured someone as knowledgeable and high-profile as Andy is testament not only to our past track record, but to our bright, exciting future. “His passion for innovation in real estate and his 29 years of experience in the sector are exactly why we hired him, as we look to drive forward our corporate strategy and enhance our offering.” Andy added: “Mainstay is committed to best-in-class customer experience and remaining on the cutting edge of property management – values which very much align with my own. “With that in mind, I’m delighted to be joining the team and playing a key role in helping to shape the direction the business goes in throughout this next period of growth.” Established in 2000, Mainstay was founded by Glyn Miles, Graham Donaldson and Andrew Tilly. The business now manages in excess of 80,000 homes across the UK, and headcount stands at 726. This year alone, Mainstay is on track to turnover a record-breaking £25.9 million in line with their 2020 corporate strategy. www.mainstaygroup.co.uk
As part of the 10th annual World Green Building Week, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has issued a bold new vision for how buildings and infrastructure around the world can reach 40% less embodied carbon emissions by 2030, and achieve 100% net zero emissions buildings by 2050. Together, building and construction are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world[1], with operational emissions (from energy used to heat, cool and light buildings) accounting for 28%. The remaining 11% comes from embodied carbon emissions, or ‘upfront’ carbon that is associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole building lifecycle. WorldGBC’s vision to fully decarbonise the sector requires eliminating both operational and embodied carbon emissions. The ‘Bringing embodied carbon upfront’ report proposes this ambitious goal alongside solutions to accelerate immediate action by the entire building and construction value chain. The vision is endorsed by representatives from developers and construction companies, financial institutions, city networks and government, as well as industry representatives from concrete, steel and timber and many more including: HeidelbergCement, Skanska, Stora Enso, Google and the Finnish Government. The report sets out to demystify the challenge of addressing embodied carbon emissions, through breaking down complex terminology and creating a common language to set a consensus-built definition for net zero embodied carbon. Embodied carbon emissions have been overlooked in the past but as shown by milestone research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), achieving drastic cuts in all carbon emissions over the next decade is critical to keeping global temperature rise to 1.5oC. Addressing upfront carbon is therefore crucial to fighting the climate crisis, as new construction is expected to double the worlds building stock by 2060 causing an increase in the carbon emissions occurring right now. Therefore, the new report is calling for coordinated action from across the sector to dramatically change the way buildings are designed, built, used and deconstructed. WorldGBC presents a clear pathway of actions that designers, investors, manufacturers, government, NGOs and researchers across the whole value chain can take to accelerate decarbonisation, address current market barriers and, develop low carbon alternative solutions for market. However, the report warns that change will not happen unless there is a radical shift in how industry works together to enable a market transformation. The transition towards mainstream net zero carbon standards requires immediate action to achieve greater awareness, innovation, improved processes to calculate, track and report embodied carbon, voluntary reduction targets from industry and roll out of new legislation at city, national and regional level. Approaches such as maximising the use of existing assets, promoting renovation instead of demolition and seeking new circular business models that reduce reliance on carbon intensive raw materials are also needed. To kick-start cross-sector collaboration, WorldGBC is calling for new national and sectoral roadmaps to be developed, such as those produced in Finland, Norway and Sweden, with strong support from industry and policymakers. Demonstrating the feasibility of achieving zero carbon goals, the report is supported by case studies of existing best practice across the whole breadth of the building industry. Businesses involved in design and delivery have already committed to ambitious individual or national decarbonisation strategies. For example, Skanska, a major development and construction group is making strides in enabling projects to be evaluated for full lifecycle impacts. Materials suppliers are also taking a leading role. HeidelbergCement has committed to developing carbon neutral products by 2050, and Dalmia Bharat Cement, one of India’s leading cement manufacturers, is committed to becoming a carbon negative group by 2040. Cities have also been instrumental in pushing for new innovations and approaches. Oslo, Norway, has a commitment to fossil free construction sites. Vancouver, Canada, has mandated that embodied carbon be reduced in new buildings by 40% by 2030, as part of its climate emergency response, demonstrating the type of regulatory frameworks that can drive market change. Quotes: Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council says: “Our new report is a solution focused response to the urgent need to significantly reduce upfront emissions in buildings and construction and demand action across carbon intensive industries and materials. With the support of our global network and the endorsements we have received for the report, we are confident that we can stimulate market demand and facilitate radical whole value chain collaboration that will be truly transformative and benefit both people and planet. “We will accelerate action to achieve our goal of slashing embodied carbon by 40% by 2030 and securing net zero embodied carbon by 2050, in addition to our net zero operational carbon goals.” Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40 says: “The majority of the world’s population live in cities, projected to rise to 70% by 2050. As cities continue to grow, and temperatures continue to rise dangerously, it has never been more important for the buildings and construction sector to be leading the way on climate action. Because the sector is responsible for such a large chunk of global emissions, it means there is huge potential for reduction. It is excellent news that the pathways laid out by the World Green Building Council contain an interim target for 2030 – as we know how important this date is for getting the world on track to limit global temperatures to 1.5C. Now the sector needs to mobilise immediately to put these changes into action for global benefit. Collaboration between sectors and organisations will be key to achieving this transformation – and at C40 we are looking forward to supporting cities to make it a reality.” Anders Danielsson, President & CEO, Skanska says: “This report sets out bold ambitions for embodied carbon reduction in the built environment which we welcome at Skanska. We recognise our responsibility and see an increased sense of urgency in our work to reduce carbon, which started many years ago. As we move forward, greater transparency on carbon emissions is needed throughout the whole value chain. Tools like the EC3 which we have developed with partners can help with this. But this is not