When your business involves sending hundreds of workers out to disconnected sites where they could be exposed to dangerous gases, safety should be a top priority. But how can real-time insights and actionable data help enable you to offer your workforce enhanced protection? This was the challenge facing Cappagh Browne
Yesterday, Perega, one of the UK’s leading structural and civil engineering consultancies, launches its innovative CO2 accounting tool: The Carbon Calculator. Affirming its commitment to sustainable construction, this evolutionary platform empowers Perega’s clients to assess the whole carbon footprint of their projects, from inception to completion. Importantly, it enables them to
Public sector construction suppliers are being invited to attend a major industry event that will discuss broad perspectives from across the sector on retrofitting at scale to decarbonise the UK’s existing built environment and deliver a net zero future. Scheduled for 28 February in Birmingham, the Retrofit for a Net
FACTA has long been recognised as the industry specification for fabricated access covers and they have just launched an excellent new CPD resource. The guide to specifying a fabricated access cover is a much-needed tool for specifiers, manufacturers, and installers. This valuable resource provides expert information that is essential for
In the ever-changing world of construction, staying informed is crucial. Quelfire’s campaign and white paper aim to shift the narrative and promote an open conversation about embracing responsibility. They also focus on the importance of early engagement, collaboration, and education in the construction industry. Because it’s your job to know.
Large developers made a last-minute dash to make planning applications ahead of the December 6 fee increase, according to the December Market Insight Report by Planning Portal, part of TerraQuest. On the 6 December 2023, the government implemented an increase of 25% on all planning application fees across the board
New research has revealed that half of construction workers (51%) would not know what to do in the event of a fire at work. The study1, commissioned by Phoenix Health & Safety, surveyed 1,500 participants UK-wide to uncover how well Brits understand fire hazards in the workplace. Each year there
Veriforce CHAS, the supply chain risk management and compliance specialist, has consolidated its position as the accreditation provider of choice after being awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for an impressive fifth consecutive year. The award is a testament to Veriforce CHAS’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its
As part of its work to support practices in running their businesses, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Thursday 8 February 2024, published its Guide to Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) 2024, exclusively available to RIBA members. Find a free summary of the guide attached. From offering financial protection,
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, is delighted to have once again been awarded a coveted position on the Climate Change ‘A List’, published by CDP. The global environmental non-profit measures corporate transparency and performance on climate change on behalf of over 740 financial institutions
When your business involves sending hundreds of workers out to disconnected sites where they could be exposed to dangerous gases, safety should be a top priority. But how can real-time insights and actionable data help enable you to offer your workforce enhanced protection? This was the challenge facing Cappagh Browne Utilities Limited, a company specialising in repairing and maintaining wastewater networks across the southeast of England. Learn more about their experience. As managing director of Cappagh Browne, Jeff Birtwhistle plays a key role in helping to keep the sewers of south-east England flowing. With over 30 years’ experience in heavy civil construction, nuclear energy, and utilities, he’s always looking for innovative solutions to help the company improve the service it offers customers – and protect its workforce. So when we introduced our latest generation connected gas connector, the ALTAIR io™ 4 Connected Gas Detector, Jeff was keen for Cappagh Browne to be able to reap the benefits. “When it comes to innovation and new technology, MSA Safety is one of our key and invaluable partners,” he says. The gas detector that is redefining safety management Cappagh Browne was already using a previous generation connected gas detector from MSA Safety that provided certain data for remote monitoring to help protect workers and respond to emergencies. After experiencing those benefits, he wanted to enhance them even further with real-time data. The ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector does this, helping to give Cappagh Browne the chance to leverage new MSA Safety technology, improve overall business efficiency and response times, and significantly improve safety for workers. Offering immediate, on-site connectivity The power of the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector lies in its combination of built-in cutting-edge, CAT-M LTE cellular connectivity and integration with the MSA Grid. Part of MSA Safety’s Connected Work Platform, the ALTAIR io4 Connected Gas Detector can be deployed in seconds, right out of the box. What’s more, no IT is required for updates because they are delivered securely from our cloud to your fleet. When the device is in its dock, it knows when it needs a bump test or calibration to be compliant and immediately starts to run the relevant test. And with industry-leading XCELL® sensors it can stand up to tough use in challenging conditions, resistance to extreme temperatures, the ability to withstand a 25-foot drop and a dust and waterproof IP68 rating. Real-time insights Matt Reid, Head of Fleet for Cappagh Browne, says they are already experiencing the benefits of upgrading to the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector. “We have over 350 employees working across various remote sites in potentially hazardous environments. So real-time safety monitoring is important,” he explains. “Now, with the ALTAIR io 4, we’re able to use real-time data to establish who to use on a particular job because we can see what exposure they’ve had over the last week.” “We can send one person out to a job and then, if they need help, we can send another person out with an ID tag to ‘fob on’ to the same device. We can then track both people safely within the seven-day period to make sure they don’t exceed their exposure limit.” Keeping workers safe throughout the day Managing Director Jeff Birtwhistle adds that it’s the ability to get immediate feedback when a worker’s exposure limit to dangerous gases has been reached that is taking the company’s safety management to new levels. “Being able to intervene on a worker’s behalf and pull them out of a job to protect them is fantastic. It means we can keep our most valuable asset –our people – safe,” he says. Improving compliance The real-time data and actionable insights offered by the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector are also helping to simplify regulatory compliance for Cappagh Browne and enabling supervisors to identify behaviors that don’t meet safety standards, which can help make workers more accountable. Since introducing the solution, the company has experienced zero safety alarms. However, as Matt Reid explains, a worker was able to use the inbuilt alarm to call for help in an unusual situation. “We had an instance where a guy became physically locked out of his vehicle and didn’t have his phone on him. He pushed the alarm button to call for help and we were able to get a second set of keys over to him to unlock the vehicle and get him on the road again.” The partnership with MSA Safety continues Both Jeff and Matt know that at some point in the future they will inevitably be looking for new safety enhancements that they cannot envisage right now. But they are confident that when that time comes, MSA Safety will be there, just as it has been for real-time gas detection monitoring. For now, they are enjoying the enhanced safety that the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector offers their workforce. Fleet manager Matt Reid sums up the benefits. “Using ALTAIR io 4 means we can send our employees home safely to their families every night and that Cappagh Browne can see them again every morning when they turn up for another day’s work.” Keen to see what this technology can do for safety management at your business too? Watch our case study video and find out more about how the ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector is redefining safety. Watch the video to find out more about Cappa Browne’s experience using MSA Safety’s ALTAIR io 4 Connected Gas Detector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday, Perega, one of the UK’s leading structural and civil engineering consultancies, launches its innovative CO2 accounting tool: The Carbon Calculator. Affirming its commitment to sustainable construction, this evolutionary platform empowers Perega’s clients to assess the whole carbon footprint of their projects, from inception to completion. Importantly, it enables them to make greener material choices to faster, and better, achieve a more sustainable built environment. The calculator has been developed by the firm’s dedicated, in-house Net Zero Carbon Group and uses a sophisticated algorithmic framework, analysing material emissions data to achieve lower-carbon outcomes. Harnessing the power of the latest digital technology, the calculator seamlessly integrates within the Revit model, offering a comprehensive carbon impact assessment. Key features of the Perega Carbon Calculator include: Commenting on the impact and efficacy of the tool, Perega’s Digital Engineering Lead, James Washbourne, says, “With the built environment responsible for 40% of global emissions, the imperative for lower-emission practices has shifted from optional to essential. Our Carbon Calculator makes another step towards achieving more sustainable projects. Moving away from manually crunching static spreadsheets to a predominantly automated process means better pinpointing of carbon hotspots and empowering our clients to make correct material substitutions during the design phase, without compromising on quality. “Ensuring user-friendliness was crucial, our clients are incredibly busy and need to be able to read and understand the data quickly to make informed decisions. As such, we developed the calculator to deliver clear and simple comparisons for effective decision-making”. For further information about Perega and its groundbreaking carbon accounting tool, please click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Public sector construction suppliers are being invited to attend a major industry event that will discuss broad perspectives from across the sector on retrofitting at scale to decarbonise the UK’s existing built environment and deliver a net zero future. Scheduled for 28 February in Birmingham, the Retrofit for a Net Zero Future Conference promises to be a gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and experts, all committed to paving the way for a sustainable future. The conference is being spearheaded by LHC Procurement Group (LHC), a not-for-profit built environment, compliance and consultancy framework provider delivering exclusively to the public sector. Among the distinguished speakers announced for the event are Euan Durston, Regional Director at ECD Architects, and Luke Smith, Managing Director at Build Test Solutions. Durston brings with him a wealth of experience from ECD Architects, renowned for delivering retrofit projects at scale across the UK. He will present case studies showcasing successful retrofitting at scale for a net zero future, offering practical examples and lessons learned. Smith, on the other hand, will delve into the critical role of measurement and analysis to ensure that the desired outcomes for building performance and quality are met. Other speakers at the event include Karen Ashley-Seaman, Product Manager at Vaillant, who will be delving into the importance of collaboration with stakeholders in achieving net zero through retrofit initiatives. Matt Hickman, Bid Director at VINCI Facilities, will provide insights from the responsible main contractor perspective, shedding light on the intricacies of delivering net zero projects. Simon Kemp, Director of Growth and Innovation at Warmworks, will speak on simplifying procurement of large-scale retrofit projects. LHC will also lead several discussions at the event, including one by Chris Ferguson, Technical Manager, Energy Efficiency at LHC, who will address the knowledge gap challenges facing the sector in achieving net zero and discuss strategies for overcoming these hurdles. At the heart of the discussions will be LHC’s latest Decarbonisation and Retrofit (N9) framework. Developed in response to extensive market engagement, this framework is poised to assist public sector organisations in overcoming the hurdles of decarbonisation. Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement at LHC, said the market had shown a positive response during the framework’s development phase, and explained the Group’s commitment to addressing the sector’s challenges. Dean Fazackerley said: “The conference will explore the urgent challenge of decarbonising the UK’s built environment, and the practical ways that public sector organisations can improve their buildings, such as enhancing building insulation, optimising heating systems and integrating renewable energy solutions. “Participants can look forward to discussions facilitating broad industry perspectives on areas such as control and management systems, electrical servicing, and multi-disciplinary works among other measures aimed at resolving the challenges towards a net zero future. “Collaboration is paramount in meeting this challenge, and by exchanging data, sharing best practices, and fostering innovation, we can drive meaningful change and usher in a new era of sustainability in the construction sector.” Designed to facilitate a transition to net zero, the N9 framework will offer a suite of energy efficiency and decarbonisation solutions, including consultancy services. Anticipated to launch in mid-2024, N9 holds significant importance in the journey towards achieving net carbon zero. Dean added: “This is an area of increased importance as we all strive to improve building stock, reduce operating costs, and deliver positive outcomes for occupants.” It is the most important net zero framework in development since LHC became a CLG last year and will be available nationwide through the Group’s five business units: London and South East (LSE); Consortium Procurement Construction (CPC); South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA); Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA); and Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA). The Retrofit for a Net Zero Future event promises attendees access to invaluable insights, best practices, and experiences in delivering retrofit and decarbonisation programs. With partners including Build Test Solutions, ECD Architects, Vaillant, Vinci Facilities, and Warmworks, the event is expected to catalyse meaningful discussions and collaborations within the sector. It will take place on 28 February at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Birmingham. To secure your place and be a part of shaping the future of construction, visit the LHC website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FACTA has long been recognised as the industry specification for fabricated access covers and they have just launched an excellent new CPD resource. The guide to specifying a fabricated access cover is a much-needed tool for specifiers, manufacturers, and installers. This valuable resource provides expert information that is essential for navigating the complexities of the process. Don’t miss out on this FREE opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and gain valuable insight into specifying fabricated access covers. Visit www.facta.org.uk for this indispensable resource! FACTA members, who are industry experts, collectively provide up-to-date news and updates on standards relevant to the industry, as well as improved guidance notes and position papers. The FACTA specification is well recognised and used extensively in the construction industry by contractors, builders’ merchants, leading utility companies, and importantly, by specifiers including architects and consulting engineers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the ever-changing world of construction, staying informed is crucial. Quelfire’s campaign and white paper aim to shift the narrative and promote an open conversation about embracing responsibility. They also focus on the importance of early engagement, collaboration, and education in the construction industry. Because it’s your job to know. Since the Grenfell Tower fire and subsequent changes to legislation, fire safety has become a significant industry focus, and the importance of passive fire protection has started to be acknowledged. The campaign emphasises the industry’s responsibility to recognise the significance of early engagement in firestopping and the selection of suitably tested details. It also highlights the imperative for manufacturers to operate transparently, providing key information to all parties involved in building projects. Following the campaign, Quelfire’s white paper delves into early engagement in more detail, exploring best practices that can save lives, reduce damage to a building and its contents in the event of a fire, and minimise construction delays and costs. Early engagement is about collaborating with the relevant key stakeholders as early as the design stage to retain fire ratings of walls and floors. This is achieved by appropriately sealing service penetrations with tested firestopping systems. It is also about cross-party communication, sharing of information and competencies, and understanding a project’s requirements before build commences. The white paper is a useful guide for anyone designing and managing the installation of service penetration seals, from main contractors to designers and firestopping contractors. It is an invaluable resource for professionals looking to enhance fire safety in their projects. Because it’s your job to know. Craig Wells, Sales Director at Quelfire, said, “The construction industry is starting to realise the responsibility it has when it comes to protecting people and property. Though it has taken a national tragedy and subsequent legislative changes to create the catalyst for change, change is happening. We at Quelfire will continue to test, share, and educate to support this change and, ultimately, create safer spaces. It is a pleasure to launch this campaign and white paper, which seeks to provide insight into best practices concerning the passive fire protection of service penetrations. Knowledge is power.” ——————– Quelfire is a leading manufacturer and supplier of tested firestopping solutions for service penetrations in buildings. What makes Quelfire stand out is the unwavering passion that everyone, from management to production, has for what we do: Protecting People & Property.Our mission is to support all parties involved in the design and installation of service penetration seals, including architects, designers, main contractors, firestopping contractors, and other specialist trades from dry-lining contractors to mechanical and electrical contractors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Large developers made a last-minute dash to make planning applications ahead of the December 6 fee increase, according to the December Market Insight Report by Planning Portal, part of TerraQuest. On the 6 December 2023, the government implemented an increase of 25% on all planning application fees across the board with a 35% rise for larger schemes. The last week in November and first week of December saw a significant spike with almost 26,000 submissions. For the last month of the year, 42,028 applications were made through the Planning Portal. From the 1 to the 31 of December, Planning Portal saw a record-breaking value of processing fees, totalling nearly £33 million. The single largest total value since the introduction of the payment system in 2018, this surge is attributed to the rise in larger-scheme full and outline applications made ahead of December 6. Regionally, only the West Midlands saw an increase in December of 1%. Most areas received fewer applications, with the East of England, South East, and Yorkshire experiencing a 7% decline in comparison to 2022. Cornwall Council saw the highest volume of applications with 9,059 alongside North Yorkshire which came in second with 8,166. Of the authorities receiving more than 200 applications during 2023, Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation saw the largest percentage increase throughout the year with 39% compared to 2022. A joint venture between TerraQuest and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC), Planning Portal’s Market Insight Reports allows for observations to be made on the application trends throughout the UK. Sarah Chilcott, Managing Director at Planning Portal explained: “Our market insight report shows that in December 2023, developers made a conscious effort to submit their applications ahead of the government’s 35% price increase. “Albeit a positive month, overall December 2023 saw a 4% decline in the number of planning applications made in comparison to 2022. Although this may be the case, we can attribute the record number of processed fees to developers making a last-minute dash to make their applications before December 6. This may have been a fewer number overall, but their value was significantly higher than we’ve seen previously.” The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities confirmed the minimum 25% fees increase in November 2023 to further the amount of investment in planning services at local authorities across the country. Aiming to improve the overall service, the further contributions will help reduce the planning backlog and ensure decisions are made within the eight-week deadline. Sarah continued: “With planning fees expected to rise up to 10% each year from April 2025, we can certainly expect this trend to repeat itself as homeowners and businesses seek out the cheaper option.” For more information about TerraQuest, please visit: https://www.terraquest.co.uk/ For more information about Planning Portal, please visit: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New research has revealed that half of construction workers (51%) would not know what to do in the event of a fire at work. The study1, commissioned by Phoenix Health & Safety, surveyed 1,500 participants UK-wide to uncover how well Brits understand fire hazards in the workplace. Each year there are around 22,000 workplace fires around the UK2, highlighting the importance of having adequate fire safety knowledge. Phoenix Health & Safety has gathered insightful data to understand if Brits would know what actions to take in the event of a fire, and how businesses should take action to reduce the risk of fire-related workplace incidents. Overall, the study found that around half of construction workers (51%) would not know what to do in the event of a fire at work. Commenting on this finding, Nick Higginson, CEO of Phoenix Health & Safety, shares; “For fire safety to be most effective in a workplace, it’s key that individuals at every level of the organisation understand the procedures in full. “Without a well-rehearsed fire safety procedure, there can be delays to taking appropriate and immediate action, so it’s essential that businesses ensure their staff are fully aware of every aspect of the process.” The study also found that two-thirds (66%) of construction workers would not be able to locate their fire safety assembly point, and only around 6% have had a fire safety drill in their workplace in the past year. As well as this, barely over a quarter would be able to state who the fire officers in their workplace are. Technical Director of the IFE, Paul Trew, commented: “Fire extinguisher use is a small yet vital component of overall fire safety training, especially within the remote nature of construction environments. CPD programmes designed for the transitional work settings can provide useful insights and hands-on training on fire extinguisher usage, alongside fire prevention, evacuation, fire alarm use. Nick says: “According to government fire safety regulations, all workplaces should have a fire drill at least once a year and not doing so can result in a fine for the business3. Fire drills are important as they allow persons with fire safety responsibility to evaluate the effectiveness of the evacuation plan that is in place and make any necessary changes. To see that such a small percentage can recall a fire drill occurring in their workplace in the last year is a cause for concern. “Not knowing the location of the fire assembly point is just one example of why having a clear and well-rehearsed procedure is so important. All new staff should be made aware of the location of the assembly point and any fire exits, and should be reminded periodically through training to refresh their memory of fire safety protocol.” Only around a fifth of construction workers (20%) stated that they would know which fire extinguisher they could use to put out fires on different types of materials. To test fire extinguisher knowledge, respondents were given two scenarios to test their understanding of fire extinguisher types and their differences. In the first scenario, respondents were asked to identify which fire extinguisher was not safe to use to put out a fire caused by combustible materials such as paper and wood. A large majority of respondents answered incorrectly, with over four in five (82%) unable to identify that the black CO2 extinguisher is not safe to use. For the second scenario, respondents were tested on which fire extinguisher would be safe to use to put out a fire caused by an electrical fault. Once again, most respondents answered this incorrectly, with over three-quarters (78%) of respondents failing to identify that ‘black, blue or green’ extinguishers should be used. Nick says: “Understanding which fire extinguisher to use in the event of a fire could be the difference between the fire being dealt with quickly and safely, or a full-scale emergency. “In most workplaces, the fire extinguishers available should have signage that shows the extinguisher type and what sort of fire it can be used on. Whilst you may want to react quickly, taking a few seconds longer to identify the correct fire extinguisher could potentially be life-saving.” Nick continues: “It is the responsibility of organisations and their appointed persons with fire safety responsibility to ensure that all fire safety regulations are adhered to and a culture of following the rules is ingrained in the workplace, but it is also the responsibility of employees themselves to ensure the regulations are followed. Managers and supervisors who want to attain the necessary knowledge and skills to manage fire hazards can take a relevant fire safety course to get accredited, such as the NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Veriforce CHAS, the supply chain risk management and compliance specialist, has consolidated its position as the accreditation provider of choice after being awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for an impressive fifth consecutive year. The award is a testament to Veriforce CHAS’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its contractors and clients. Each year, Feefo, the respected global buyer review platform, recognises businesses that consistently excel in providing outstanding customer experiences. The Platinum Trusted Service Award is a testament to the positive feedback received from numerous satisfied customers, independently validating the company’s dedication to quality. In an age where reliable customer service is not guaranteed, the Veriforce CHAS team consistently exceeds expectations, showcasing a commitment to excellence that sets them apart from competitors. Glowing testimonials from hundreds of customers, that are published online by Feefo for complete transparency, praise the CHAS customer service team for their helpful phone support and highlight their dedication to delivering an exceptional customer experience. There is also recognition for Veriforce CHAS’s streamlined and stress-free online submission process. Veriforce CHAS not only ensures excellent customer service for its contractors but also offers a range of additional benefits that set Veriforce CHAS membership apart. These perks include access to exclusive insurance offers, discounted e-learning resources, free legal advice, a 20% discount with Speedy Hire, free TradePoint cards, and discounted membership to Checkatrade.com. Expressing his pride in receiving the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service award, Veriforce CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon comments: “At Veriforce CHAS, we continuously strive to offer unparalleled service to our contractors and clients. Receiving the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the 5th year in a row is a tremendous honour and recognises the hard work and dedication of our entire team. “We believe that exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of our success,” Ian continues. “Our commitment goes beyond industry norms, and we are continuously investing in innovative ways to enhance our customer’s journey with us. While others may focus on different priorities, we remain steadfast in our dedication to our customers. We are proud to lead by example and set a standard that is the envy of our industry.” If you would like to learn more about the benefits of being a Veriforce CHAS member, please call 0345 521 9111. – the award-winning customer service team are waiting to talk to you. Or find out more by visiting: http://www.chas.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As part of its work to support practices in running their businesses, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Thursday 8 February 2024, published its Guide to Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) 2024, exclusively available to RIBA members. Find a free summary of the guide attached. From offering financial protection, to legal compliance, to building client confidence, PII has an essential role in helping to protect against claims made by third parties as a result of negligent professional services. This easy-to-follow guide – the first of its kind to cover such depth – equips architects to navigate the maze of insurance jargon, complexities and myths, giving them confidence when applying for or renewing their PII, and helping their businesses survive an unintended and unexpected event. It explains terminology and outlines the value and principles of insurance, how it works in practice, how to buy good quality insurance, and the importance of being risk-aware – as awareness of what can happen can prevent it from happening. It also sets out what to do when a crisis does occur. Written by experienced professionals, this guide is supported by the ongoing work of the RIBA Council Expert Advisory Group on PII, comprised of insurance industry experts and RIBA members. RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: “Our profession has been crying out for support with Professional Indemnity Insurance, and I am pleased to say that we have heeded that call. The importance of appropriate PII cover cannot be understated – sitting alongside a commitment to excellence, ethics, innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, it is a critical component of building and maintaining a strong professional reputation.” RIBA Chair of Board Jack Pringle said: “As practices continue to grapple with economic uncertainty, this guide to navigating the complexities of Professional Indemnity Insurance could not be more timely. It is essential for architects to be well-versed in insurance in order to protect their practice and thereby their clients through appropriate cover. Familiarising yourself before the worst happens is the best way to be business resilient. This guide is the culmination of years of work by the industry’s top experts and provides practical support in clear, no-nonsense language. I look forward to seeing it used far and wide.” Find a free summary of the RIBA Guide to Professional Indemnity Insurance attached. Download the full RIBA Guide to Professional Indemnity Insurance, exclusive to RIBA members. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, is delighted to have once again been awarded a coveted position on the Climate Change ‘A List’, published by CDP. The global environmental non-profit measures corporate transparency and performance on climate change on behalf of over 740 financial institutions with over US$136 trillion in assets. Of the 21,000 companies that were scored by CDP, Kingspan was one of just 346 to make the 2023 CDP Climate Change A List. Figures published by CDP also showed that only 10% of disclosing companies – Kingspan included – have renewable energy consumption targets established.1 CDP’s annual environmental reporting and disclosure assessment encourages companies to be transparent about their environmental impacts, risks and progress and provide data that demonstrate action and performance against climate-related targets. Those on the ‘A List’ have been recognised by CDP for their comprehensive climate strategies and targets and must also achieve a minimum of 4.2% emissions reductions annually. Bianca Wong, Global Head of Sustainability at Kingspan Group, said: “To limit global temperature rise to 1.5⁰C by the end of this century and achieve a net-zero emissions future, we all have a responsibility to be transparent about our progress and what we are doing to play our part. We have set ambitious 1.5⁰C-aligned GHG emissions reduction targets within our 10-year Planet Passionate programme. Our dedicated teams across our business work tirelessly to make continued annual progress towards our goals and our position on the CDP A List is fantastic recognition of this dedication and our journey so far.” In a bid to achieve net-zero carbon manufacturing by 2030, Kingspan has already achieved a 26% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2020 and has made significant strides again in 2023, with the latest results soon to be published in its annual Planet Passionate report. The company also aims to reduce the CO2 intensity of its primary supply chain partners by 50% by 2030. This climate ambition is aligned with a 1.5⁰C trajectory and places increased emphasis on emissions reduction over offsetting, with targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company also has measurable targets on harvesting rainwater, eliminating waste to landfill, increasing use of recycled materials and more. The number of companies choosing to disclose their sustainability targets and performance is on the rise as stakeholders seek confidence that companies are acting with longevity in mind. In 2023, CDP saw the volume of disclosures increase by 24% – a promising sign that more companies are taking all-important steps to close the gap between ambition and action.2 More information about Kingspan’s Planet Passionate programme can be viewed on the Kingspan Group website here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
