UK public buildings to cost £25-30Bn in decarbonisation attempts : Last week, it was announced that UK public sector buildings will cost up to £30bn in decarbonisation attempts1. This estimated cost of retrofitting older properties with the latest equipment to help the UK meet carbon neutrality targets, is based on
Leading property maintenance and decarbonisation specialist Novus Property Solutions is celebrating a series of wins for its dedicated Sustain service, having been named as an approved supplier for several prestigious frameworks and organisations. Since its launch less than 12 months ago, Sustain has offered Novus’ customers across the housing sector
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has published a new report, with the support of Dar Group and its member firms Integral Group, T.Y. Lin, Perkins&Will and Currie & Brown, to identify opportunities for how an integrated approach to the whole built environment is essential to deliver change commensurate with
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
UK public buildings to cost £25-30Bn in decarbonisation attempts : Last week, it was announced that UK public sector buildings will cost up to £30bn in decarbonisation attempts1. This estimated cost of retrofitting older properties with the latest equipment to help the UK meet carbon neutrality targets, is based on today’s prices and should not be seen as the actual budget needed to move to low carbon heating. With the government’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from public buildings by 75 per cent by 20372, it is likely that older properties will need to have the latest equipment retrofitted. Nikki Mehta, director of energy and sustainability at Honeywell welcomes the UK government’s decarbonisation attempts and comments on how investing in software can help businesses achieve sustainability targets. “Many businesses have pledged to meet sustainability targets over the past few years, but it is likely that some of them do not have the tools or knowledge to accurately measure progress and optimise their carbon and energy footprints. There is now software available that can help track energy performance against carbon reduction goals thus offering better insight into what carbon reduction targets should be set company wide. “By investing in carbon energy monitoring systems, businesses can determine how electricity, gas, and other utilities are used. Not only does this enable building owners and energy managers to monitor carbon emissions on an intrinsic basis but also the software provides visibility into how to forecast more accurate carbon reduction targets and optimize and manage energy use. “Once carbon reduction goals have been identified, software can make use of analytics and data capabilities to decrease carbon emissions and, ultimately, support sustainability efforts throughout the organisation. By using smart meters, sensors and utility data, businesses can piece together consumption and energy emissions by utility type. Coupled with data analysis, alongside real-time inputs like occupancy and weather, energy managers can better curb energy use. “The UK Government’s nation-wide sustainability targets will encourage a holistic approach to building energy management as well as better insights into their carbon impacts. Implementing efficient software will play a vital role in the building energy management process in setting where and how targets can be measured and achieved.” 1 – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63514562 2 – https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-sector-decarbonisation-scheme Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading property maintenance and decarbonisation specialist Novus Property Solutions is celebrating a series of wins for its dedicated Sustain service, having been named as an approved supplier for several prestigious frameworks and organisations. Since its launch less than 12 months ago, Sustain has offered Novus’ customers across the housing sector a one-stop-shop for specialist assistance in achieving net zero targets through the contractor’s Centre of Excellence comprising in-house professionals and external partners. The contractor’s Sustain service has been successfully named in the CHIC North Wales eight-year programme, which will see Novus carrying out optimised retrofit installations across properties in the region. Furthermore, the contractor has also secured a place on the national CHIC Optimised Retrofit Programme for Lot 1 and Lot 5, covering low and zero carbon retrofit solutions. Procure Plus, a social housing regeneration consortium, has named Novus in its five-year domestic retrofit delivery programme across the North West. Novus has been successful in Lot 2 and Lot 3, which refer to turnkey programme delivery and installation delivery respectively. The contractor has also been awarded a place on each of the ten lots within the £500 million Prosper Procurement framework. The two-year framework involves a range of decarbonisation retrofit works on domestic and public buildings across all regions of England and Wales. Commenting on Novus’ recent decarbonisation successes, Matt Hiley, Executive Director at Novus Property Solutions said: “We’re proud to have been named as an approved supplier for several prestigious frameworks in recent months, further establishing Novus’ position as an expert in decarbonisation retrofit services. “Our dedicated Sustain service is an important element of our ambitious plans for growth, and has already proven its value for our clients across the housing sector. It offers a partnered approach to an end-to-end service, helping local authorities and housing associations not only complete important net zero refurbishments but also secure the funding to do so, and we look forward to continuing to grow this vital service.” To find out more about the impact Novus’ Sustain service can have on your property portfolio, visit the contractor’s stand at Homes UK exhibition on the 23rd and 24th November in the Unlock Net Zero area. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has published a new report, with the support of Dar Group and its member firms Integral Group, T.Y. Lin, Perkins&Will and Currie & Brown, to identify opportunities for how an integrated approach to the whole built environment is essential to deliver change commensurate with the commitments of the Paris Agreement. The report ‘Beyond Buildings: Why an integrated approach to buildings and infrastructure is essential for climate action and sustainability’argues for systemic and integrated infrastructure solutions to improve sustainability outcomes. Business leaders recognise that the built environment – buildings and infrastructure – must be on a clear path to decarbonise at the latest by 2050 and have made significant progress by 2030. The WorldGBC network calls on the built environment industries for collaboration and alignment in ambition for all asset types, in all places to accelerate the transition of the infrastructure sector. The urban built environment alone is responsible for 75% of annual global GHG emissions, with buildings accounting on its own for 37%. Members of the media are welcome to join our #BuildingToCOP26, hosted by WorldGBC, GlobalABC & UKGBC, on 21 October 2021 at 4pm GMT for the launch and discussion forum of the Beyond Buildings report. Register free here. This new report is a call to action for the built environment industry and policy makers to respond to the climate crisis with both the building and infrastructure sectors acting together. In Beyond Buildings, the WorldGBC presents the interconnection between buildings and infrastructure, and argues that systemic and integrated solutions will unlock improved sustainability outcomes. They will also accelerate the change in trajectory of GHG emissions from the built environment. Through presenting the roles that both the private and public sectors must play in terms of investment, policy and procurement, WorldGBC’s work identifies that a global framework of principles is necessary to accelerate sustainability performance across infrastructure. If we are to succeed in this critical decade, united action across all sub-sectors of the built environment industry is essential as the purpose of much of our built infrastructure is to create and support places for people. WorldGBC calls for collaboration amongst all actors in the development of a framework of principles. These principles should be adapted and verified at a local level in order to align with the 1.5° emissions trajectory and the United Nations´ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and be applicable to all asset types, to be co-created, agreed, and universally pursued. This report sets us on the path of that journey. Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Champion for COP26, said: “How our towns, cities and countries continue to grow really matters to the global climate crisis. We have to realise that what worked in the built environment and infrastructure sectors in the past will not work in the future. “The world faces crisis on multiple fronts, which is why we’re putting collaboration in infrastructure and built environment – a sector that contributes 75% of annual global GHG emissions – at the heart of everything we do. “Only by forging new partnerships and all-party agreements can we overcome the challenges facing our planet and society today.” Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council, said: “In the lead up to the Cities, Regions and Built Environment day at COP26, the importance of considering all aspects of the built environment – both the buildings we live in, and the infrastructure that supports them – is critical for taking a holistic and systemic approach to climate action and sustainable development. If we’re to build a better, brighter future, the infrastructure sector needs to de-link its growth from emissions by embracing a systemic approach which delivers sustainable built environments for everyone, everywhere. “The Beyond Buildings report sets out a path forward to support the rapid adoption of best practice sustainability outcomes across the building, construction and infrastructure space. It identifies critical next steps for the deep transformation needed to meet 2030 reduction goals. “Our green building network, its partners, members and other organisations advancing sustainable infrastructure and buildings are ready to accelerate this massive transition and ensure a zero carbon, resilient, healthy and sustainable future.” Richard Palmer, Director of Global Sustainability, Integral Group, said: “The built environment is such an important part of addressing both the causes and impacts of climate change. This report highlights the opportunities between buildings and infrastructure to accelerate climate action at the scale and speed demanded by science.” Ref 1: UN Environment. ‘2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction’ [2021] Find out more at worldgbc.org
