Broadnook Garden Village – Leicestershire’s newest purpose-built community – is looking forward to new residents being able to take a deep breath and enjoy the range of initiatives that will be in place to improve the air quality for its new home owners, including: Green space and tree planting for cleaner
Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival will take place between 8 and 11 July at Newcastle Racecourse. Esh-Stantec, Avove and Galliford Try have teamed up with Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) to launch a ‘carbon sprint’ at this year’s Innovation Festival. Titled ‘Disrupting the Norm: Bold Path to Net Zero’, the four-day sprint
MATRIX Housing Partnership is working effectively alongside turnkey solutions provider Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to deliver a 905-property social housing retrofit programme that is demonstrating how to achieve economies of scale and best practice. The seven-member consortium of social housing providers is unique due their geographical spread across the
A call by more than 400 of the UK’s leading climate scientists for all election hopefuls to commit to ambitious climate policies has been backed by European insulation specialist Actis. In an open letter to all political parties the academics are calling for five actions to help address climate change,
A £28.7 million apartment scheme developed by Clegg Construction in Sheffield has been named as a finalist in the Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards. The Ironworks, featuring 229 one and two-bedroom apartments, has been shortlisted in the Regional New Build Project of the Year category. Completed by Clegg Construction last year
A groundbreaking report, “Responsible Sourcing of HVO – A Comprehensive Guide,” has been released, aiming to accelerate the global transition towards sustainable energy. Developed by Action Sustainability for the Supply Chain Sustainability School, this report is a vital resource for organisations committed to environmentally responsible practices in the procurement of
MATRIX Housing Partnership is working effectively alongside turnkey solutions provider Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to deliver a 905-property social housing retrofit programme that is demonstrating how to achieve economies of scale and best practice. The seven-member consortium of social housing providers is unique due their geographical spread across the South
Freedom Heat Pumps, one of the UK’s largest dedicated heat pump distributors, has chosen Baxi to forge a new strategic partnership, combining Freedom’s market expertise with Baxi’s heat pump range and award winning back-up customer service and support network. Chris Higgs, Managing Director of Freedom Heat Pumps, said “I’m proud to represent a
A TRIO of new starters has joined leading carbon and biodiversity offsetting solutions provider CSX. The appointments expand the firm’s capacity, helping deliver strategic growth in its role as providers of biodiversity net gain (BNG) and carbon offset units. The company uses earth observation technologies and data analysis systems to collect
80% of environmental professionals have concerns around the credibility and transparency of carbon credit offsetting schemes Businesses across the UK have expressed concern at the credibility and transparency of carbon credit offsetting schemes. In a report presenting the outcomes of the National Environmental Services Survey[1] – run in association with
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Broadnook Garden Village – Leicestershire’s newest purpose-built community – is looking forward to new residents being able to take a deep breath and enjoy the range of initiatives that will be in place to improve the air quality for its new home owners, including: Green space and tree planting for cleaner air Broadnook Garden Village is designed with nature in mind. More than 50 per cent of the total development will be open green spaces, providing residents with ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. More than 500 trees have already been planted throughout the village with thousands more to come on 11.982 hectares of land that has been designated for woodland planting, actively increasing the tree population in the local area. These trees play a crucial role in pollutant and carbon capture, helping new residents to breathe easier as they pull pollution out of the air. While the air quality for Charnwood and Broadnook’s local area is traditionally good, Broadnook Garden Village is committed to helping ensure it remains at healthy levels. Air quality data recorded in 2022 by Defra suggests that Charnwood meets recommended levels, but there is still room for improvement with some Charnwood areas exceeding healthy WHO guidelines for pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide.* By planting trees and creating open green spaces, Broadnook and its developers aim to maintain and even improve this air quality, which is essential for health and well-being. Lower pollutant levels can reduce the risk of respiratory diseases and enhance overall quality of life. Iain Pickering, Design Director for Davidsons Homes said: “Our commitment to creating a sustainable and healthy living environment is at the core of Broadnook Garden Village. By dedicating half of our space to greenery, establishing car-free zones, investing in bus services and planting a substantial number of trees, we are making strides towards a cleaner and healthier future for our residents. “New homes at Broadnook will meet higher modern standards for emissions and sustainability too, helping to make the village a beautiful place to live inside and out.” Steve Kelly, Director of Growth Marketing at Cora Homes said: “Healthy living is at the heart – or should that be lungs – of Broadnook Garden Village. We’re committed to providing access to five times more than the national average of green, healthy spaces where residents of Broadnook – and the surrounding Charnwood villages – can relax and take a breather in nature. When complete, Broadnook will be the greenest of all the Charnwood villages. As well as wild-flower meadows, Broadnook will benefit from purpose-built sports playing fields, and even allotments, as part of our commitment to the Garden Village way of life.” Investment into bus services and car-free zones Broadnook Garden Village will encourage residents to ditch the car in favour of the bicycle or bus, promoting a healthier lifestyle and reducing pollutants entering the air locally. To reinforce this, Broadnook’s developers are investing £750,000 into local bus services that will help to make local transport hubs easier and more accessible without the need of a car. Broadnook will also feature a car-free central walk that will offer residents a break from traffic, contributing to better air quality and a more peaceful living environment. Cycle and walking routes lined with trees and Broadnook Park are also integrated into the community layout, making getting around easier by foot or bicycle. Residents of Broadnook will have easy access to local walks and cycle trails in Charnwood, allowing them to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the countryside air. Reduced carbon emissions from new homes Broadnook Garden Village is also committed to reducing carbon emissions in its homes. Developers at Broadnook are dedicated to supporting the air quality for its residents and promoting lung health through its innovative design and better building practices with properties being designed to meet – and exceed – higher modern standards for emissions and sustainability with discreet solar panels and electric vehicle charging points fitted as standard. Each new build home at Broadnook will, on average, reduce carbon emissions by 2.2 tonnes compared to non-new build house. This significant reduction demonstrates Broadnook and its developers’ dedication to sustainable living and environmental responsibility in all aspects of village construction. The vision of Broadnook Garden Village is being brought to life by Davidsons Homes, Cora and Bovis Homes, with the first residents expected to move in this autumn who can look forward to experiencing the benefits of cleaner air, serene surroundings and a community designed with health and reduced emissions in mind. To find out more about Broadnook Garden Village’s new houses, visit broadnook.co.uk and follow @BroadnookGardenVillage on social media. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival will take place between 8 and 11 July at Newcastle Racecourse. Esh-Stantec, Avove and Galliford Try have teamed up with Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) to launch a ‘carbon sprint’ at this year’s Innovation Festival. Titled ‘Disrupting the Norm: Bold Path to Net Zero’, the four-day sprint will consider the path to net zero construction and how NWG’s Five Point Plan will deliver the lowest carbon AMP8 Programme possible. Returning for the eighth time and taking place between 8th and 11th July, NWG’s Innovation Festival will bring together attendees from the worlds of construction, science, technology and more, at Newcastle Racecourse to solve some huge environmental and societal challenges. Partners working with NWG through its capital delivery frameworks including Living Water Enterprise and the Ecosystem, as well as suppliers of products and services, delegates from local authorities, education and other related industries, are urged to secure a place at the sprint and work together to develop ideas and initiatives that will improve carbon performance. Sprint delegates will engage in thought-provoking discussions and work collaboratively to consider new ideas for successfully implementing the “The Five Client Carbon Commitments”, launched by the Construction Leadership Council under its CO2nstruct Zero initiative which NWG has recently signed up to. Themes for discussion will include fossil fuel use, low carbon concrete, low carbon steel and PAS 2080 adoption. David Pratt, Divisional Director at Esh-Stantec, said: “The subject of carbon reduction and the road to net zero is of huge significance to the way construction projects are delivered now and in the future. It is a challenge, but also a huge opportunity for real change to be delivered throughout the AMP8 programme, ensuring sustainable practice is woven through all areas of construction, from procurement to design and delivery. This sprint is another important step in that journey.” The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Speed and Scale’ and will focus on growing good ideas at pace and will also help to progress on existing ideas from previous festivals. The sprint concept follows a specific and structured five-stage process – created by New York Times bestselling author, Jake Knapp, when he worked at Google – and is led by a sprint lead. Leading the sprint from NWG are Donna Rawlinson, Principal Project Manager, and Ben Gilbert, Project Manager, who commented: “Our Innovation Festival has supported our carbon reduction journey hugely over recent years, each sprint delivering real value helping us get to where we are currently. We expect this year’s sprint to help us accelerate our delivery of our reduction commitments outlined in the Construction Leadership Councils ‘CO2nstruct Zero initiative’, by delivering real reductions through key areas such as procurement, material selection and improving the construction processes we use in delivering our capital investment programme.” Earlier this year, Esh-Stantec and Avove were named as Living Water Enterprise partners by NWG – a collaborative delivery vehicle made up of the water company and 12 supply partners responsible for delivering its large-scale construction programmes throughout AMP8 and beyond. Galliford Try is appointed to deliver on NWG’s Wider Ecosystem Framework. To register a place at ‘Disrupting the Norm: Bold Path to Net Zero’ sprint visit: https://www.innovationfestival.org/the-festival/sprints/avove-and-esh-stantec-and-galliford-try/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MATRIX Housing Partnership is working effectively alongside turnkey solutions provider Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to deliver a 905-property social housing retrofit programme that is demonstrating how to achieve economies of scale and best practice. The seven-member consortium of social housing providers is unique due their geographical spread across the South West, Midlands and Southern England, managed by multiple SBS regional teams, with parallel workstreams in each region. Once complete, more than 1,750 people will benefit from the works and 1.6 million kilogrammes of C02 emissions will be saved each year. After being awarded more than £12 million through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2.1 and appointing SBS as the sole delivery partner to deliver the full £26m PAS2035-standard project, the Matrix Housing Partnership is on track to complete its planned programme by Spring 2025. Gary Lawson, managing director at SBS, said: “The work that we are delivering on behalf of Matrix Housing Partnership is a perfect example of retrofit collaboration and why the consortium model will be favoured by social housing providers in the future. There are substantial benefits for everyone involved when scaling projects with this method. Cost savings, strong partnerships, and sharing vital supply chains all converge to create efficient and productive processes that all project partners can reap the rewards from. “Social housing providers are able to more easily access funding, get projects off the ground more quickly and deal with less contract administration. Delivery partners can ensure continuous improvement with shared supply chains, explore new systems and technologies, and create new roles to grow the industry. Partners have been given the confidence to invest and undertake upskilling that will increase resilience and tenants are provided with warmer, more energy efficient homes that have lower bills and a better impact on the environment. “The feedback we have received so far from the consortium members and their tenants across various housing types has been tremendous. We all acknowledge the importance of the programme being delivered and are conscious that awareness must be raised on the advantages of working at scale. “During the SHDF Demonstrator we completed schemes for both Trident Housing Association and Trent & Dove Housing, so our existing relationships have also supported us in this scheme. Further learnings will not doubt be gained as we progress with the project and we look forward to sharing them with the housing industry as it continues its retrofit decarbonisation mission.” Matrix Housing Partnership includes GreenSquareAccord, Black Country Housing Group, Citizen Housing Group, Pioneer Housing and Community Group, Rooftop Housing Association, Trent & Dove Housing and Trident Housing Association. In addition to SBS, Savills and GJK Consultants are supporting the consortium with the project. The variety of retrofit measures being installed include external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal wall insulation, new windows and doors, loft insulation, ventilation upgrades, air source heat pumps, battery storage, low energy lighting and solar PV. The aim is for each property to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C after the completion of works. Jason Holder, director of property at GSA, said: “We are proud to be leading the Matrix Housing Partnership’s decarbonisation project, which has already seen hundreds of homes benefit from energy efficiency upgrades. We are sharing best practice and maximising economies of scale through the consortium model. From the quality of measures installed through to the resident liaison approach, we know we’re receiving a good service and so too are our consortium partners.” For more information on SBS, visit: www.sustainablebuildinguk.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A call by more than 400 of the UK’s leading climate scientists for all election hopefuls to commit to ambitious climate policies has been backed by European insulation specialist Actis. In an open letter to all political parties the academics are calling for five actions to help address climate change, including accelerating moves to help the UK adapt in the light of rising temperatures. The letter says residents are already feeling the effects of a warming planet and cite the summer heatwave of 2022 which saw thousands of excess deaths. Its authors add that if a party leader does not make addressing climate change a priority they “will place the prosperity and well-being of the British people at severe risk” and will not deserve the support of the electorate. Among the signatories is former government chief scientific adviser Prof Sir David King who played a pivotal role in getting the Climate Change Act over the line in 2008. Addressing the effects of climate change is an issue close to Actis’ heart. Its UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper explained: “Under Part O of the building regulations architects are obliged to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings. Buildings insulated with certain types of insulation can make hot summers unbearable for the occupants. “But not all insulation has that effect. In fact, quite the reverse. Our newest product, two-in-one Eolis HC, and our long-established Hybrid range of insulation and insulating membranes can make a dramatic impact on the comfort of homes in hot weather. In fact Eolis HC reflects 95% of infrared radiation, thanks to the revolutionary Triplex technology from which it is created. “All this means that our products keep homes cool during the summer as well as keeping the warmth in during the winter. “While using reflective insulation alone is not the answer to addressing the impact of climate change, it will mitigate some of the effects by enabling houses to remain at a pleasant temperature.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £28.7 million apartment scheme developed by Clegg Construction in Sheffield has been named as a finalist in the Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards. The Ironworks, featuring 229 one and two-bedroom apartments, has been shortlisted in the Regional New Build Project of the Year category. Completed by Clegg Construction last year for Rise Homes, it includes a range of sustainability features such as a biomass energy centre providing hot water and heating throughout the building, with the intention to connect to the city’s district heating system in due course and use hot water generated from the city’s waste plant. Each apartment has a central thermostat that is linked to an app on the resident’s phone, allowing the heating to be carefully and remotely controlled. The flow rates and temperature of water going into and leaving every apartment are monitored daily and a monthly report provides data on areas where the efficiency of the system can be improved. Other environmental measures include flow rate restrictors, electric vehicle charging, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), bat boxes, and automatic light movement sensors. Rise Homes is now seeking BREEAM in use and FITWEL accreditations and the consultants submitting these believe the development should achieve ‘Excellent’ ratings. Michael Sims, Managing Director at Clegg Construction, said: “We are thrilled to hear that The Ironworks has been shortlisted in the Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards in the Regional New Build Project of the Year category. “It’s a stunning development, with a wide range of sustainability features, and Clegg Construction is very proud to have delivered the apartment scheme on behalf of Rise Homes.” The project has also been shortlisted for an Insider Property Dinner South Yorkshire award, having been named a finalist in the Sustainable Development of the Year Award. The Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards finals ceremony takes place at Leeds Marriott Hotel on Thursday 27 June 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A groundbreaking report, “Responsible Sourcing of HVO – A Comprehensive Guide,” has been released, aiming to accelerate the global transition towards sustainable energy. Developed by Action Sustainability for the Supply Chain Sustainability School, this report is a vital resource for organisations committed to environmentally responsible practices in the procurement of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). As many organisations pursue net zero targets, the role of fuels and power is crucial. HVO has emerged as a viable alternative to fossil diesel, a shift endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in its zero diesel sites route map. However, the sustainability benefits of HVO are complex and not always straightforward. In response to these complexities, twelve Supply Chain Sustainability School Partners* have co-funded this guidance to elucidate the sustainability challenges associated with HVO. Ben Stone, Head of Environmental Sustainability at Kier Group, said: “The construction industry has a key role in supporting the UK’s transition to a lower carbon economy. This report and its recommendations shine a light on the role HVO can play, and where it can be utilised to provide a low-carbon solution. Working collaboratively with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and its Partners, we were pleased to advise on the research and development of the Responsible Sourcing of HVO report to provide clear and much-needed guidance to support the industry with procuring this fuel responsibly.” Jo Potts, Sustainability Director, Responsible Sourcing & Social Impact at Balfour Beatty said: “At Balfour Beatty, we take pride in acting responsibly, considering the full environmental, social and economic implications of our actions to ensure that we’re not solving one challenge whilst creating another. It’s refreshing to see this guide, which we are pleased to have contributed to, takes a holistic approach and moves away from carbon tunnel-vision, clearly setting out the pros, the cons and most critically, the unknowns of HVO fuels.” The guidance covers the entire lifecycle of HVO – from raw material sourcing, processing, and shipping to final use. It provides strategies for managing and mitigating potential sustainability risks and impacts within the HVO supply chain. Key highlights of the report include: · Examination of the sustainability benefits and impacts of biofuels, with a focus on HVO. · Overview of HVO availability and market size. · Analysis of potential market distortions affecting HVO. · Recommendations for risk mitigation mechanisms. The guide provides actionable recommendations to help organisations make informed decisions, manage risks, and confidently mitigate the sustainability impacts of using and procuring HVO. Dr. James Cadman, Head of Consultancy and Climate at Action Sustainability, stated: “When procuring HVO, it is essential to conduct due diligence to source sustainably from reputable suppliers, using assurance schemes like the UK’s Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS). This approach is crucial for transitioning away from fossil fuels, protecting the planet, and achieving net zero targets responsibly.” By promoting sustainable procurement practices, this report marks a new era of conscientious decision-making in the energy sector. It empowers organisations to uphold environmental stewardship without compromising operational efficiency or profitability. Access the full report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MATRIX Housing Partnership is working effectively alongside turnkey solutions provider Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS) to deliver a 905-property social housing retrofit programme that is demonstrating how to achieve economies of scale and best practice. The seven-member consortium of social housing providers is unique due their geographical spread across the South West, Midlands and Southern England, managed by multiple SBS regional teams, with parallel workstreams in each region. Once complete, more than 1,750 people will benefit from the works and 1.6 million kilogrammes of C02 emissions will be saved each year. After being awarded more than £12 million through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2.1 and appointing SBS as the sole delivery partner to deliver the full £26m PAS2035-standard project, the Matrix Housing Partnership is on track to complete its planned programme by Spring 2025. Gary Lawson, managing director at SBS, said: “The work that we are delivering on behalf of Matrix Housing Partnership is a perfect example of retrofit collaboration and why the consortium model will be favoured by social housing providers in the future. There are substantial benefits for everyone involved when scaling projects with this method. Cost savings, strong partnerships, and sharing vital supply chains all converge to create efficient and productive processes that all project partners can reap the rewards from. “Social housing providers are able to more easily access funding, get projects off the ground more quickly and deal with less contract administration. Delivery partners can ensure continuous improvement with shared supply chains, explore new systems and technologies, and create new roles to grow the industry. Partners have been given the confidence to invest and undertake upskilling that will increase resilience and tenants are provided with warmer, more energy efficient homes that have lower bills and a better impact on the environment. “The feedback we have received so far from the consortium members and their tenants across various housing types has been tremendous. We all acknowledge the importance of the programme being delivered and are conscious that awareness must be raised on the advantages of working at scale. “During the SHDF Demonstrator we completed schemes for both Trident Housing Association and Trent & Dove Housing, so our existing relationships have also supported us in this scheme. Further learnings will not doubt be gained as we progress with the project and we look forward to sharing them with the housing industry as it continues its retrofit decarbonisation mission.” Matrix Housing Partnership includes GreenSquareAccord, Black Country Housing Group, Citizen Housing Group, Pioneer Housing and Community Group, Rooftop Housing Association, Trent & Dove Housing and Trident Housing Association. In addition to SBS, Savills and GJK Consultants are supporting the consortium with the project. The variety of retrofit measures being installed include external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal wall insulation, new windows and doors, loft insulation, ventilation upgrades, air source heat pumps, battery storage, low energy lighting and solar PV. The aim is for each property to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C after the completion of works. Jason Holder, director of property at GSA, said: “We are proud to be leading the Matrix Housing Partnership’s decarbonisation project, which has already seen hundreds of homes benefit from energy efficiency upgrades. We are sharing best practice and maximising economies of scale through the consortium model. From the quality of measures installed through to the resident liaison approach, we know we’re receiving a good service and so too are our consortium partners.” For more information on SBS, visit: www.sustainablebuildinguk.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Freedom Heat Pumps, one of the UK’s largest dedicated heat pump distributors, has chosen Baxi to forge a new strategic partnership, combining Freedom’s market expertise with Baxi’s heat pump range and award winning back-up customer service and support network. Chris Higgs, Managing Director of Freedom Heat Pumps, said “I’m proud to represent a highly regarded British brand like Baxi and we’re excited to support Baxi’s growth in this increasingly important part of the heating industry.” Freedom Heat Pumps was founded in 2010 and has established its reputation for a full range of heat pumps, complementary accessories and cylinders. By selecting Baxi to sit alongside other top brands, the partnership is a statement of confidence in Baxi’s role and opportunity in the heat pump market and sustainable energy solutions, says the company. Baxi’s Bamber Bridge factory is less than two miles from Freedom’s distribution centre, giving the match an additional closeness to ensure a seamless integration of Baxi’s products into Freedom’s distribution channels. “Being neighbours in Bamber Bridge underscores the efficiency and alignment between our two companies, which we expect will lead to faster delivery times and superior customer service” said Rob Pearse, Baxi’s Distribution Sales Director. Baxi already makes pre-plumbed cylinders and other internal components required for a heat pump installation at its Lancashire factory, and is developing its business to become a partner of choice in the heat pump market. An example of this development is the recently launched initiative with Carno, aimed at simplifying heat pump installations for installers and available through Baxi’s training programmes. Carno’s digital survey and design tool with automated MCS documentation can save 8-10 hours per job. Related to that is a significant investment in Baxi’s training capability to grow opportunities for installers to partner with Baxi to gain heat pump skills. In 2022 Freedom became part of Certas Energy, part of the FTSE listed DCC Plc Group, giving its customers access to a broad portfolio of lower carbon options to power and heat their home. For more information, please visit Baxi and Freedom Heat Pumps.
A TRIO of new starters has joined leading carbon and biodiversity offsetting solutions provider CSX. The appointments expand the firm’s capacity, helping deliver strategic growth in its role as providers of biodiversity net gain (BNG) and carbon offset units. The company uses earth observation technologies and data analysis systems to collect and accurately analyse carbon storage and biodiversity data. This process has quickly become crucial for land developers and owners with the government’s introduction of BNG in February 2024. This new approach requires any new development to have a positive impact, or ‘net gain’, on the land biodiversity of at least ten per cent. This ensures that wildlife habitats are left in a measurably better state than they were before. Joining CSX’s expert team as BNG project officers are Kennedy Young and Heather Scollick, while Steven Crosby has been appointed a business development executive at the company’s North Yorkshire office. Kennedy and Heather are tasked with helping landowners develop their BNG projects, overseeing them from start to finish as well as advising, finalising and communicating plans with local authorities. Steven will be responsible for supporting developers, planning consultants and stakeholders in the construction sector to navigate the successful delivery of BNG on their projects. He will also secure any shortfall in units from the land managers who CSX has supported in the creation of off-site units for sale. Previously Kennedy worked at ecology and design practice FPCR as a seasonal assistant ecologist and has studied animal science and welfare. Kennedy said: “CSX has an important mission which I am more than happy to be part of. BNG is a significant change for the sector and people are understandably wary about what is now expected of developments. It’s my job to make sure that the benefits of BNG are known, but also the processes are as simple and accessible as possible. Heather said: “CSX is leading in this field, so it’s an honour to be part of the team. It’s not just about progressing these important BNG projects, but also progressing the wider knowledge of the environment, species identification, trees and general habitats. It’s important that we utilise all resources at our disposal, especially technology, to tackle this problem head on.” Steven, tasked with making sure key stakeholders are engaging in the BNG process and helping to relieve the pressure on them, said: “I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the role. Being able to talk to these different groups of people and assist them in something this significant is rewarding. It’s about having clarifying conversations about BNG – there’s a lot of information and it can be intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be.” Andy Howard, CSX’s co-founder and chief executive officer, said: “It’s a pleasure having Kennedy, Heather and Steven bolster our team across these two key departments. “At CSX we are focused on strategic growth and the awareness of what we can do and how we can help both landowners and developers. “We want to make sure we are at the forefront of the discussions around biodiversity net gain in the sector and we do that by having a dedicated team from varied backgrounds with a similar passion for the environment. I look forward to seeing the great work they accomplish with our projects and clients.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
80% of environmental professionals have concerns around the credibility and transparency of carbon credit offsetting schemes Businesses across the UK have expressed concern at the credibility and transparency of carbon credit offsetting schemes. In a report presenting the outcomes of the National Environmental Services Survey[1] – run in association with the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), The Environmental Services Association (ESA), Groundwork, and ESS Expo (Environmental Services and Solutions Expo) – 80% of respondents stated that they had serious concerns around the integrity of carbon credit offsetting schemes. While almost a third of those questioned (33%) believed carbon offsetting is a viable strategy for achieving net-zero emissions, just 37% have employed it as a strategy to reduce their businesses’ environmental impact. The full report and survey findings can be downloaded here. Greenwashing also remains a major concern among industry insiders, with 94% of respondents believing it is prevalent in the UK. In 2023, a quarter (25%) of respondents to the same survey stated that greenwashing was the one thing they would change about the environmental sector as Rob Mowat, Managing Director of ESS Expo, explains: “It is alarming to hear that so many sustainability experts believe carbon offsetting schemes are actually failing the environment. While there are some businesses entering into highly certified programmes, there are concerns from many across the industry that these schemes are simply another form of greenwashing and can, in some instances, cause more harm to the environment than good.” Overall, perhaps unsurprisingly, climate change and global warming (32%) were cited as the biggest issues within the environment and sustainability today, followed by environmental policy and governance (15%) and waste management and the circular economy (13%). Crucially, as we head into a general election, 37% of those asked believe current government policies are unsupportive when it comes to achieving net zero goals, with just under a third (32%) stating that they are one of the biggest barriers to their organisation achieving net-zero, surpassed only by financial constraints (44%). Worryingly, only 3% of those interviewed said their organisation was currently at net zero. Achieving net zero When it comes to achieving net zero emissions across sectors, collaboration and partnerships are key, with 85% of respondents reporting that working together is either essential or very important. Further, nearly all respondents (99%) believe innovation and technology will play a role in accelerating the pathway to net zero emissions, with almost everyone (87%) agreeing it will play a significant part. The five biggest focusses will lie in the expansion of the circular economy (20%), advancements in clean energy technologies (16%), public awareness and engagement in sustainability (15%), followed by strengthening policy and regulation and green infrastructure at 14% and 9%, respectively. Lee Marshall, Director of Innovation and Technical Services at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), said: “It is always valuable to get insights from those who work in the sector. The concerns about off setting show that resources and waste professionals want to do the right thing and take meaningful steps to support climate mitigation. The UK has made good progress, but it is no surprise that people feel policies on net zero and circular economy are not strong enough. “We need policies that will accelerate the transition to a more resource resilient and circular economy capable of meeting future material demands and supporting the battle against climate change, and this is something CIWM is calling for in our ten policy recommendations for the new government.” Head of Climate and Energy Policy at The Environmental Services Association (ESA), Charlotte Rule, said: “Clearly, from these alarming survey results, there remains significant work to be done across the business community to demonstrate credibility and build trust in efforts to reduce carbon emissions, mitigate climate change, and achieve net-zero targets. “Achieving net-zero must be a collaborative exercise, which is what the ESA has sought to achieve through its Net-Zero strategy – aligning organisations across our sector through a shared roadmap; speaking with a unified voice to Government to achieve a supportive policy environment and being mutually accountable to each other as a membership body.” The survey gathered data from 1,498 professionals from across the environmental services industry from April-May 2024. Download the full report for free on the ESS Expo website here. To register to attend ESS Expo 2024 from 11-12 September at the NEC, Birmingham, visit the website here. [1] The survey gathered data from over 1,498 professionals from across the environmental survey industry from April – May 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
