Network - The free AECB newsletter - July 2010
Network - The free AECB newsletter - July 2010 |
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Network is free and distributed to members of the AECB and those who have subscribed to it. If it is passed on or reused, acknowledgment should be given to the information sources directly (newspaper and periodical titles, web site owners, events organisers etc.). Information contained in this mailing does not represent the views or policy of the AECB or the editor, nor does any reference contained herein imply any form of endorsement. |
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If you have any news, events or courses you would like to publicise in Network then please email details to network@aecb.net. |
AECB 2010 Anniversary ConferenceThe beautiful venue for AECB's 2010 anniversary conference has now officially
opened: take a look at http://venuehire.cat.org.uk/
We will also be welcoming Ian Meikle from the Technology Strategy Board, and wish Neil Morgan, whom Ian replaces, the very best with his promotion. With all this and the AECB's 21st Birthday Party to boot, 2010 really will be a vintage year. To register, and to find out more about the full programme and about local accommodation and travel, go to http://www.aecb.net/conference2010.php. |
Exhibit at the AECB 2010 Anniversary Conference, 1-2 October 2010Calling all suppliers, manufacturers and providers of green building products and services: We are now taking bookings for trade stands at this year's conference in the stunning new WISE building at CAT. The trade stands will be in the central area of the conference and will be open to CAT staff, students & visitors as well as conference delegates. Please note spaces are very limited and booking will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information and to book, contact conference@aecb.net. |
Regional Groups - Update From Jo SaadyIts hard to say how pleased I am with the outstanding success of local groups. The latest is that in the past week we have just started a mini revolution in Scotland where in response to a general enquiry we had a 50% return within 24 hours of members wanting to meet other members. Another group is also about to start in Bristol, and a thread has started on the forum for a possible Cheshire/Staffordshire/North Shropshire group - see below. Equally exciting is the way members cross attend different meetings at existing groups which are increasingly becoming interconnected. Our meetings continue to provide a breath of fresh air in a world where so many are jumping on the 'green' bandwagon. Meet people who have been members for twenty years, and fresh new faces, all in the same room, all with one passion . Looking forward to seeing you at conference at CAT on the 1st/2nd October and for the anniversary party on the Friday night. 21 years to celebrate as the world's oldest sustainable building association. Jo
Though members would like to meet once every three months, alternating between Edinburgh and Glasgow (and perhaps wider afield in future). A number of you have offered spaces in which to meet - thanks! we'll definitely be taking you up on these. And as there is a significant crossover between membership of AECB and SEDA, the suggestion of holding joint gatherings is a popular idea. Our first get-together will be in Edinburgh - Tuesday 21st September 2010, at 6pm, venue to be confirmed shortly. We could then have a pre-Christmas session in Glasgow (seems a while away, especially as I'm in summer holiday mood!). Or perhaps you'd prefer a different location, a different day or time of the week - it's all up to us to decide what we want.
Lots of interest from members in northern Scotland in setting up a regional group, to meet quarterly initially. Proposal for first meeting is - Wednesday 8th September 2010, at 6.30pm, with the venue somewhere in Inverness - open to suggestions. We might try a meeting one Friday afternoon if enough members think this is a good idea - might be nice to do this in early December if it suits? Jim Monahan has agreed we might meet at or visit his self-build in Spinningdale on a future date too. If you haven't already been in touch, and plan on coming along to the
first meeting, please let me know - Linda@lindaforbes.co.uk
Interesting new group a mail is soon to go out to all members in that region, please watch the Regional Groups board of the Forum and/or email the group organiser Neil Jolliffe at neil_jolliffe@yahoo.co.uk if interested.
Are any members are interested in meeting up in this area? If so, post
your interest on the forum
at or email carol@davport.plus.com
This brand new group had their first meeting at the outstanding Bricks and Bread Sustainable Living Center, group organiser Debbie Mauger. The next date is now to be arranged: see the forum or next network for details.
The next London meeting is scheduled for the 7th of July, next week Wednesday, 6.30pm. 3D Reid are offering their space with Stuart Barlow, their Director of Sustainability & Technology talking us through their latest projects (including the Coop HQ in Manchester which is aiming to achieve BREEAM Outstanding) and the challenges they have faced in trying to adopt the Passivhaus approach. 3D Reid are just off Oxford Circus: West End House, 11 Hills Place, London W1F 7SE, 020 7297 5600 Do bring along your own drawings to this meeting -- we are trying to achieve a workshop atmosphere next week. After the meeting we'll go to a local pub. Please let Carine (Carine.Oberweis@bere.co.uk)
know asap if you wish to attend or post your interest on the regional
groups board.
The next meeting is the a CPD event on Wednesday 14th July 2010 @ 7.00pm at the Earth and Stars Pub, 46 Windsor St, Brighton, BN1 1RJ. The speaker for the evening will be Neil Davis, Technical Agent, who will discuss Foamglas Perinsul HL use to reduce thermal bridging. This product is interesting but relatively expensive, however used sparingly is a key ingredient in buildings to help obtain Passivhaus certification. Contact mel@ecotecture.co.uk to register interest in attending.
Next meeting 6pm Wednesday 14th July at Architype's delightful offices in Upper Twyford, Hereford HR2 8AD www.architype.co.uk; Architype will be talking about their work in schools design. Contact the absolutely wonderful Linda Martin or see the forum for more details. lindam@quattro-glos.co.uk
Newly taken over by Matt Richards: mrichards@aandgarchitects.com Natural Building Technologies (NBT) have kindly offered to host the next event on Tuesday 20th July at 6:00pm at their offices: The Hangar, Worminghall Road, Oakley, Bucks, HP18 9UL. NBT will give a small presentation to discuss their high-performance building envelopes, looking at issues over and above thermal performance, addressing internal air quality and including breathability, hygroscopic qualities and low toxicity levels. NBT's demonstration area will open to us so it will be possible to see some full size mock-ups of the solutions that are on offer. RSVP to Adrian Kite at the following email address AKite@ridge.co.uk
Next meeting is planned for Wednesday 21st July 2010 at West Suffolk College 1400-1600 presentation followed by an Open Mic session where you can have your say about anything! Please contact David Frost david.frost@wsc.ac.uk
This group is run by Mark Siddall. Its been a bit quiet lately - if you want to participate, contact Mark by mailing m.siddall@devereux.co.uk.
Organised by Paul Jennings the next meeting is to be arranged. Please email doorfanman@hotmail.com. Their most regular venue is at Pete Warm's office in Plymouth. I'm also thinking about organising a family AECB day in Plymouth in August if anyone is in the vicinity and fancied it let me know. Jo@ecotecture.co.uk
Notts and MK seem to be getting into bed with each other as the Milton Keynes lot went up to Nottingham at the last meeting. The group is run by Alan Budden of eco design consultants: contact him by mailing alan@ecodesignconsultants.co.uk or start a new thread on the forum to flag up your interest!
As above we have a busy reluctant leader in Gil Scholm. We'll get a thread going on the Forum soon about a next meeting before conference.
Next meeting still to be planned. Contact Paul Mallion of Conker Conservation, paul@conkerconservation.co.uk For the latest information on all of these groups, see the "Regional Groups" button on the home page of AECB.net |
AECB Webinar On Passivhaus RefurbishmentsThe AECB, with support from Pass Net and in conjunction with the Passivhaus Trust, is excited to announce an upcoming online 'webinar' on adopting the Passivhaus methodology in refurbishments. This event will be held in late July and will primarily focus on the social housing sector. This two-part event will present video visits to three retrofit projects, to be made available on the AECB website, and follow up with an on-line question and answer and discussion with a panel of AECB experts. More information to follow soon at: http://www.aecb.net/latestnews.php |
New AECB Membership BenefitAECB are pleased to announce that the Green Building Site are now offering offer a 5% discount exclusively to all AECB members on all our products for orders over £500, for the rest of the year. All orders will need to be telephoned through on 0844 561 7949 and the discount requested at the point of sale. Further details/prices are available at www.TheGreenBuildingSite.co.uk For a full list of discounts offered to AECB members go to http://www.aecb.net/benefits.php |
The Passivhaus TrustThe AECB is delighted to provide an update on the development of the Passivhaus Trust, which will provide leadership in the UK for the delivery of low energy, low carbon buildings through the adoption of the Passivhaus standard and methodology. The Trust is currently in discussions with prospective members, partners and founders - which already includes the AECB; if you are interested in discussing membership or other involvement, then please contact Laura at the Passivhaus Trust at info@passivhaustrust.org.uk. There has recently been some confusion about the creation of two Passivhaus organisations in the UK. However, following recent productive negotiations, this situation has now been resolved through the formation of two, completely independent organizations, the Passivhaus Trust and the Green Gauge Trust. Please see the AECB website New Releases section http://www.aecb.net/new_releases/ for further details. |
AECB Member Wins Award For Innovative Strawbale Buildings.The UK's first straw bale holiday cottages won the prestigious Yorkshire Passion award in the Visit Hull & East Yorkshire tourism awards recently. AECB member Carol Atkinson accepted the specially designed trophy from playwright John Godber in recognition of the business's environmental commitment. The cottages, which also appeared in the top 20 sustainable destinations in the Guardian's Green Travel List, are drawing a steady stream of visitors to East Yorkshire to experience the benefits of straw bale construction first hand. www.strawcottage.co.uk This year, Carol and her son Sam formed a partnership to build straw bale buildings and have a full order book for 2010. They were recently awarded an Innovation Voucher from Yorkshire Forward to develop clay and lime plaster equipment that injects into rather than sprays onto straw bales in an attempt to mimic the superior bonding of hand applied plaster. www.homegrownhome.co.uk |
Architype - Another Award For St Luke'sAgainst stiff competition this project in Wolverhampton won the BCSE sustainable school of the year award. See www.bcse.net. The school also won the project of the year award under £10m and the environmental project of the year at the Quality in Construction Awards, see www.cnqualityawards.com. |
Anne Thorne Architects Has Won A 2010 RIBA Award For Its Bateman MewsThis is a development of affordable family homes, designed and built for Metropolitan Housing Trust on a backland site in Clapham Park. The five houses are clad in cedar shingles, have external timber shutters and a green roof. They feature recycled newspaper insulation and FSC timber frame construction. The scheme has achieved Ecohomes Excellent. The project has also won a CABE Building For Life Silver Standard and the judges described it as having a distinctive architectural style, utilising a number of sustainable technologies, and being a highly distinctive and pleasing scheme on the type of site that often produces mediocre and unimaginative responses. See it on the RIBA website: http://tinyurl.com/278wnbl |
Seminar At Disability Essex - Non-Domestic Certified PassivhausReport by Adam Smith AECB Business Development Manager Disability Essex provides services across the county for people with disabilities, and rather than construct a conventional building, Disability Essex wanted to lead the way in sustainable construction amongst voluntary organisations. The architects, Simmonds.Mills, have created an advanced energy efficient design in line with the Carbonlite (CLP) Step 2, the Passivhaus Standard. This was one of the first UK buildings to be awarded Passivhaus certification, in April this year. On June 18th, the Centre hosted a seminar: "Lessons learnt from building the Centre for Disability Studies". Richard Boyd, CEO Disability Essex, is delighted with the new building, but led the discussion with an impassioned plea for more clarity and a less prescriptive approach from funders and statutory bodies alike. Richard felt that other organisations could learn much from DE's experience here. Other members of the design and construction team also spoke - including by video link, a great way to save speaker carbon! I was struck by how well it blended in with the surrounding countryside with its attractive green roof and use of timber in the overall design. Inside the building radiates a sense of quiet and focus, ideal for training and working with community groups. Disability Essex have a fantastic building and if trailblazing comes at a price, it is greatly to their credit that they want other organisations to learn from their experience. All in all, a very interesting day in a great building and thanks to all at Disability Essex for their hospitality! For more information, please visit www.disabilityessex.org. There will also be a longer report on the seminar in the next issue of Green Building magazine. |
SEED Homes Win Award From 'Green Dragon's Den' At Hay FestivalThe Guardian Hay Festival has a worldwide reputation - Bill Clinton called it "Woodstock of the mind". Hay on Earth, now in its third year, is one of the Festival's innovative ways to bring environmental issues to Hay's high powered audience and this year saw the launch of ' Green Dragon's Den' , seeking the most innovative, creative and sustainable new schemes in Wales. From a shortlist of 7 inspirational projects, SEED Homes won a massive popular vote to take the prize for the Communities and Homes category, with a project judged to be "The most engaging, practical and visionary" In a highly innovative process, SEED Homes are built quickly, cleanly and sustainably using renewable native softwood in super-insulated structural panels, achieving Code Level 4 at an affordable price. Erected in just two days, SEED Homes become instantly watertight once roofed. The £10,000 prize money comes as a grant from the Sustainable Development Challenge set up by The Welsh Assembly Government under the leadership of Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing. The money will be spent seed funding a project to fine tune the SEED Homes building system with The Centre for Alternative Technology and industry partners to produce an even more sustainable and cost-effective result. For more information see www.seedhomes.co.uk or contact Edward Bulmer at SEED Homes. Tel: 01544 388535. |
Earth More Susceptible to CO2 Than Previously Thought - NASA Report Shows.A little extra carbon dioxide in the air may, unfortunately, go further towards warming Earth than previously thought. A team of British and U.S. researchers have uncovered evidence that Earth's climate may be up to 50 percent more sensitive to long-term increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide than current climate models predict. The reason for the underestimation, they say, may be due to long-term changes in ice sheets and vegetation that are not well represented in today's global climate models. Just how much will global temperature rise in response to increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide? This is one of the key questions that climate scientists need to answer. According to the climate models used in the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), doubling the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from pre-industrial levels is expected to warm Earth by about 3 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit), once the atmosphere and oceans spend a few years or decades adjusting and reaching a balance. But according to a recent study by a team of researchers that includes Gavin Schmidt of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Earth's climate is also influenced by other, much slower processes. These include changes in ice sheets, vegetation and aerosols, for example, that take place over hundreds and thousands of years. Because of their complexity and long timescales, these processes are almost impossible to integrate into today's climate computer models. As a result, it has been difficult to know just what their effect on Earth's climate sensitivity would be. To learn more about this sensitivity, Schmidt and his co-authors looked back 3 million years into Earth's past. They used a computer model that describes the oceans and atmosphere to predict, retroactively, the climate of the mid-Pliocene - a period when both global temperatures and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations were higher than today. The model substantially underestimated just how high temperatures would go. When the researchers adapted the model to include the effects of long-term climate changes in vegetation and ice sheets, they were able to get a much closer representation of the warming in the Pliocene era. The team found that it took much lower concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide to recreate the Pliocene's warm climate than current models - which consider only the relatively fast-adjusting components of the climate - predict. Pliocene carbon dioxide levels are estimated to have been around 400 parts per million by volume (ppmv), while according to current simulations it would take 500 to 600 ppmv of carbon dioxide to bring about the warm temperatures of the Pliocene. As a result, the researchers estimate that Earth's response to elevated concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide is 30 to 50 percent greater than previously calculated. In other words, the climate is more sensitive to carbon dioxide than we thought. This higher sensitivity of the climate should be taken into account, the team concludes, when targets are set for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The results of the study appear in Nature Geoscience, go to www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v3/n1/abs/ngeo706.html. |
Britain Could Be Zero Carbon By 2030, Says CAT ReportA report out today from the UK's Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) shows how the country could be zero carbon by 2030. The "visionary" report, Zero Carbon Britain 2030, would see all cars be electric or use biofuels, increased use of public transport and very occasional long-haul flights. A mass insulation programme of homes and businesses would have to be undertaken to improve energy efficiency on a major scale in tandem with a significant expansion of renewable electricity and heat generation. Offshore wind and wave energy would replace fossil fuels, with no reliance on new nuclear capacity. The CAT report also outlines a transformation of the UK's land use, farming and diet. Land currently used for grazing cattle would be turned over to produce vegetables and grain for food and trees for biofuels and construction. The population, meanwhile, would have to reduce meat consumption. Taking such measures could cut emissions by around 90%, with the remaining 10% offset by a major tree-planting 'carbon capture' effort. The report is being backed by organisations including universities, the Met Office, as well as many other individuals including Sir John Houghton, former chair of the IPCC. For more information, to buy the report or download it for free go to http://www.zerocarbonbritain.com/ |
Energy Saving Trust Water Calculator Helps Users Cut ConsumptionThe UK's Energy Saving Trust has launched a water calculator for consumers aimed at encouraging conservation. The online tools help users calculate how much water they are using and the associated carbon emissions. Users are also given tips on how to reduce their water usage, such as replacing ordinary shower heads with aerated water efficient models and filling appliances like washing machines and dishwashers to capacity. The energy used to heat water currently accounts for around 5% of the UK's total carbon emission, says the Energy Saving Trust, adding that water is the "forgotten" opportunity for making savings. Heating water is the second largest source of carbon emissions in the home, after space heating, and accounts for far more emissions than lighting or appliances, which have been targeted in previous energy saving campaigns. Consumers often don't make the connection between saving water and reducing their carbon footprint - something the new service is hoping to change. For further information go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ |
£5m Available For Adapting To Climate Change In BuildingsThe Technology Strategy Board is announcing an adapting buildings competition. Five million pounds is available for strategies that provide climate change adaptation measures for new and existing buildings. If successful, you will receive contracts of up to £100,000 to carry out additional design work on current building projects, to design strategies for robustness and adaptation to climate change over the commercial lifetime of the building. You need to be a position to start design work by 31 August 2011. The competition will open on 14th June; further information about the competition and application forms will be available from The Technology Strategy Board website. |
Architects Sought To Help Understand Obstacles To Low Carbon School DesignThe CIBSE Schol Design Group is carrying out research intended to be useful to design teams who are involved in a low carbon school design in the future. It should highlight potential obstacles to the design and allow the team to either avoid or mitigate for the consequences of that obstacle. The research is supported by the AECB, and uses the Delphi process, described as a method "used to obtain the most reliable consensus of opinion of a group of experts". Stephen Simm from the Center for Energy and the Environment at the University of Exeter is inviting architects from the AECB who are expert in this field to contact him (engineers, client-side representatives and academics have already been recruited). You can find a link to a summary of the Delphi process here (at the bottom of the page) If you are interested in taking part contact Stephen Simm, Center for Energy and the Environment, Physics Building: Room 303, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4HG. Tel 01392 264145, or email sps209@exeter.ac.uk |
UK Government Need To Act To Keep The Lights On, Say EngineersAn independent assessment of the UK's infrastructure by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) reports that energy and transport networks are in poor condition. The report grades each sector from A (fit for future) to E (not fit for purpose) on general condition, capacity, resilience and sustainability. The energy and transport sectors receive D grades, indicating an assessment of "at risk", which chair of the project steering group David Orr says is extremely concerning. The energy sector is a particular cause for concern, says the report, facing as it does a massive challenge to ensure security of supply in future. The ICE highlights an urgent need to address the lack of spare capacity, warning that the system's maximum supply is very close to peak demand. The Government must make decisions on renewable energy and new nuclear capacity, as well as carbon capture and storage technology, within the next five years, to keep the lights on. The report also cautions that the country is too dependent on private car travel and calls for improvements to local transport networks to encourage a shift away from the car. The ICE warns that the Coalition Government has very little time to act to secure sustainable and low-carbon energy and transport systems in the future. The report calls for a new funding mechanism, beyond the scope of the Green Investment Bank, to attract the necessarily high levels of private investment. A replacement to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) - an "efficient and democratically accountable" system - is also needed, supported by a clear strategic roadmap and led by a chief construction officer. For further information go to www.ice.org.uk/state_of_the_nation/index.asp |
UK Calls For 30% Cut In EU Emissions At Climate MeetingEuropean environment ministers met in Luxembourg, where Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne backed calls for the region to increase its emissions reduction target to 30%. The meeting discussed a European Commission proposal last month to up the EU emissions reduction target from 20% to 30% by 2020. An analysis by the Commission says that the effects of the economic recession mean that increasing the region's target for emissions reduction by 10% would only cost an extra 0.6% of GDP. The Commission's proposals would strengthen the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which has been high on the agenda of the new Coalition Government. The move is also backed by Scottish Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson and a coalition of businesses represented by The Climate Group, The Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change and WWF Climate Savers Programme. Major companies including Acciona, BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Johnson Controls, Google, Marks and Spencer, Nike, Philips and Sony Europe are supporting the call from the three business leaders groups. For further information go to http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/future_action_com.htm |
Just One In Four Expect Zero Carbon Targets To Be MetMassive scepticism over the feasibility of government targets for zero energy homes and commercial buildings is evident in a survey of industry attitudes to sustainability undertaken by lawyers Taylor Wessing in association with the British Property Federation. In a survey sample of over 800 drawn from investors, developers, contractors and consultants, three quarters thought current targets unrealistic - 76% in the case of zero carbon new homes by 2016 and 73% for zero carbon commercial developments by 2019. Technical and non-technical advisers tend to be slightly less pessimistic over the prospects for zero carbon homes, while less than a fifth of developers think the domestic target is achievable. Oddly, developers are more confident about meeting the challenge of zero carbon non-domestic buildings, despite the disparate range of building solutions that will be required. Liz Peace, chief executive of the BPF, said the findings underlined the need for greater collaboration between government and industry if targets are to be met. However last week, housing minister Grant Shapps wrote to members of the Zero Carbon Hub, the industry forum set up to help deliver zero carbon housing, warning that government sponsorship will be withdrawn as soon as a definition of zero carbon housing has been agreed. Hitting the Green Wall… and Beyond, download at http://ribapublishing.msgfocus.com/c/13bWHRvAVSgHenStf Source: RIBA Practice Bulletin No 549, 17 June 2010 |
Wales Gets Second Half Of Sustainable Planning GuidanceThe Welsh Assembly Government has issued the final version of its planning guidance on the delivery of sustainable buildings. Technical Advice Note 22 (TAN 22) sets out standards of assessment and design solutions that may be used to implement national policy and provides a 'policy implementation map' aimed at developers and local planners alike. No new minimum standards as such are set out in TAN 22, as these were announced separately in 2009. Rather it completes the key guidance on sustainable design by sitting alongside last year's TAN 12, which deals with the promotion of sustainability through good design and the preparation of mandatory Design and Access Statements - also regarded as the key statement of a project's sustainable design intentions. Housing proposals in Wales will be expected to meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, while non-domestic buildings will be expected to meet the BREEAM 'Very Good' standard as a minimum. The Assembly has also this week updated its national planning framework in a new document, 'Planning Policy Wales', which consolidates previous ministerial statements and puts further emphasis on tackling climate change. As the definitive statement on current land use policy, this document sets out the framework for the preparation of local authority development plans. Go to http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan12/?lang=en Source: RIBA Practice Bulletin No 548, 10 June 2010 |
UK National Renewable Energy Action Plan PublishedThe Coalition Government has published its submission to the European Commission setting out how the UK plans to meet its 15% renewable energy target. All EU countries had until June 30th to fill in a template setting out how they will meet their legally binding renewable energy targets, including policy, planning, communications and devolved responsibilities. The Action Plans will be scrutinised by the European Commission for efficacy. All the Action Plans are published on the European website as they are submitted, and will all be translated into English, allowing international investors to scrutinise and make comparisons. The UK Action Plan submitted today retains much existing policy, but suggests policy changes and delays commitment in key areas. The REA will be scrutinising the detail and releasing its full analysis shortly. It has already led an in-depth analysis of the 2009 UK Renewable Energy Strategy as part of a pan-European EC-funded project. This analysis, published in April, concluded further policies were needed across a wide range of areas in order to fulfil the target. Only the plans from Denmark and Netherlands were submitted on the 30 June, the UK submitted their plan on the 1 July. Some Member States have consulted on their Plans and these are expected to be submitted in the next few weeks. The plans will be published at http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/transparency_platform/action_plan_en.htm |
UK Government Departments Put Energy Consumption On DisplayTwo UK Government departments today put their energy consumption in real time on show to the public, as part of the Coalition's pledge to cut its own emissions by 10% over the next year. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Home Office are leading the way, with other departments expected to follow in the coming months. The Home Office's on-line display will show the amount and cost of energy used at its headquarters on Whitehall Place at 5 second intervals and what this means in terms of carbon emissions. The DECC homepage will show energy use, from electricity and gas consumption, over the last 24 hours, revealing the peaks and troughs in demand. The two departments will trial the different display technologies before it is adopted by other government departments. For further information go to www.decc.gov.uk and www.homeoffice.gov.uk |
Ireland Ahead Of Targets For Renewable EnergyIreland is already getting more than 15% of its energy from renewable sources, a considerably higher percentage than that currently achieved by the UK. Ireland says it has already met its self-imposed target of 15% by the end of 2010. The UK is likely to be hard pressed to meet its own target of 10% by the end of the financial year 2010/11. Go to www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=nl&id=18204 for full story. |
New $1.4 Trillion Economic Meltdown Underway And The CRE SolutionFollowing on the heels of the housing crisis we now have a $1.4 trillion commercial real estate (CRE) meltdown just underway in the U.S. Without swift intervention, the CRE crisis will cripple the economic recovery, raise unemployment, and lead to scores of small business and community bank failures. To avert this crisis, Architecture 2030 recommends that Congress implement the 'CRE Solution', providing a tax deduction tied to specific energy reduction targets that will create 1.3 million jobs while restoring credit capacity and liquidity in the CRE market. Commercial Real Estate transactions have dropped a staggering 90% since 2007. Between now and 2014, $1.4 trillion in CRE loans will be coming due; half of these currently are underwater. Commercial property values have plummeted by more than 40%, and commercial vacancies continue to increase. In addition, the construction industry has lost over two million jobs, including 35,000 last month, mostly in the commercial sector. To restore credit capacity and liquidity in the CRE market and create 1.3 million construction-related jobs, Architecture 2030 recommends implementing the CRE Solution, a three-year commercial building tax deduction for meeting the energy reduction targets of the 2030 Challenge. Go to http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=tTUwagusYZ4RuKsXdyHDTSB4L%2BCn5Slp |
Renewable Energy In The Public Sector: Leading The Way To Zero Carbon, October 26th, Barbican, London.The stability of the world's climate, economy and population is being threatened as a result of rising CO2 emissions, two-thirds of which come from the way energy is produced and used. The new coalition government intends to implement a full programme of measures to fulfil ambitions for a low carbon and eco-friendly economy. Renewables are key to the strategy to tackle climate change and deploy cleaner sources of energy, and individuals and communities must be encouraged to generate their own energy locally, through renewable energy resources such as solar panels and wind turbines. This is something that the public sector must lead the way on. This event presents an ideal opportunity for delegates from across the public sector to learn how to achieve targets, save, and even make money with renewables. Go to www.publicserviceevents.co.uk/event/overview.asp?ID=150 |
NEW! Carbonlite Courses In Oxford And LondonUp to £400 regional subsidy for qualifying delegates.
Practical hands-on course will provide skills necessary to design low energy and CO2 buildings to AECB standards using the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP). 15-16 July 2010 - The Oxford Centre, Oxford Places also still available in London and Brighton, later in the month
A grounding in low energy design, introducing the principles behind the Passivhaus standard and methodologies. 14 July 2010 - The Oxford Centre, Oxford Places also still available in London and Brighton, later in the month
Find out how to minimise the effect of thermal bridging when designing low energy and CO2 buildings to AECB standards. Learn how to use free numerical modelling software. 22 July 2010 - Park Crescent Conference Centre, London Subsidies may be available for delegates attending from the South East region. For further information on subsidy contact sally@aecb.net or tel: 0845 4569773 For full programme and to book your place go to http://www.carbonlite.org.uk/carbonlite/training.php
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Cool Roofs And Their Application In The UK - Halewood and Pieter de WildeIHS BRE Press, IP 13/10, ISBN978-1-84806-141-5 This Information Paper provides an introduction to cool roofs: what they are and how they work, their benefits and their application in the UK. The generic term 'cool roofs' describes a range of roof types incorporating external finishes that have high levels of solar reflection and emissivity. By effectively reflecting and re-emitting incident solar energy, cool roofs mitigate excessive interior heat gains, reducing the need for air-conditioning and improving energy efficiency. Research demonstrates the contribution made by cool roofs to combating the urban heat island effect, thereby helping to reduce the incidence of urban smog formation. Go to www.brebookshop.com.
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Sustainable Buildings in Practice - What the Users Think - George BairdRoutledge, ISBN: 9780415399326 This book presents an unbiased evaluation of 30 of the most cutting-edge, sustainable buildings in the world, in terms of the users' perceived comfort, health and productivity. The author has visited the buildings, interviewed the design teams and examined the findings of a 60-question standardised user questionnaire. The book provides:
For more information visit www.routledge.com |
Dictionary of Ecodesign - An Illustrated ReferenceKen Yeang, Lillian Woo, ISBN 9780415458993 The first guide to the terminology of sustainable design. Written by an internationally renowned expert in the field, this illustrated dictionary provides over 1500 definitions and explanations of ecodesign terms. Providing a unique resource for the practitioner and student, this book leaves the reader free to 'dip' in and out of the book allowing for 'bite-sized' learning at their own convenience. It is an essential reference for all architects, engineers, planners and environmentalists involved in designing and planning projects and schemes in the built environment. For more information visit www.routledge.com |
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