Network - The free AECB newsletter - May 2011
Network - The free AECB newsletter - May 2011 |
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Network the free newsletter from AECB, is sent to AECB members, former members, and those who independently subscribe to it. If you are not already an AECB member we hope you will consider joining us -- find out about the benefits of membership, and join or rejoin the AECB here. If information is passed on or reused, acknowledgment for items of AECB news should be credited to AECB (www.aecb.net). For other items please credit the original source. Information contained in this mailing does not necessarily represent the views or policy of the AECB or the Network 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's 2011 Members' Conference - Now BookingBooking has
now opened for the 2011 AECB members' conference, to be held in Nottingham
on 16th and 17th September. On-site accommodation at £45 per night in single en-suite rooms can be booked along with your registration for the conference, and is available for either or both the Thursday and the Friday nights. (The formal sessions will start at around 11am on Friday 16th.) To book your place, go to www.aecb.net/conference2011.php. If you would like a stand in our busy conference exhibition space, please contact Karen Purvis on conference@aecb.net for more information. |
Local Groups Promote Better BuildingThe Sustainable Building Association, AECB, aims to have an influence on the ground where things really happen. The Local Group in Brighton & South East is the first to pilot the 'Better Building Breakfast', in which several organisations - including Local Authorities - attend informative meetings with thought provoking speakers, and are exposed to practical ideas to achieving sustainable building. These meetings improve the communication between the policy makers and pioneers at the leading edge of sustainable building. The Sussex Spring meeting on 25th May is your next opportunity to join in one of these events, promoted by the Sustainable Building Association (AECB) in conjunction with Haywards Heath Town Council, Haywards Heath and District Businesses Association and Mid Sussex Sustainability Partnership. Booking and confirmation of date and details of speakers from Ecotecture (www.ecotecture.co.uk) Tel: 0845 026 4636, or by clicking on the Regional Groups blue button on the AECB website (www.aecb.net.) Other local meetings coming up are:
Planned events (that will happen within a month or so) are:
Updated information on events can be found on the website forum - follow the blue link to Regional Groups or email debbie@aecb.net to be put on a local group mailing list. |
Members' Discount At Institute Of Civil Engineers' Retrofit Conference, 17-18 May 2011AECB members qualify for a 100 member discount on the forthcoming Institute of Civil Engineers Conference: Retrofit Solutions 2011 - Renovating the UK housing stock for a sustainable future. This takes place 17-18 May 2011 in Birmingham. For programme information and to register visit www.ice-retrofitsolutions.com. |
Sign The Petition To Protect Environment LawsThe government is talking about scrapping the Climate Change Act and Wildlife Act. Politicians claim that these important laws that reduce emissions, protect wildlife and the countryside are 'red tape' that we're better off without. We need to act fast to tell them that we want to keep these green laws. In many cases,
public pressure led to the laws being made in the first place. Now, we
need to work together to show that there'll be a huge, people-powered
outcry if they scrap these precious laws which protect our environment. Sign the petition to tell David Cameron and the government that we don't think these laws are 'red tape' and we want them protected. Go to www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/dont-scrap-environment-laws#petition |
WWF Resigns From UK Government's Zero Carbon Homes TaskforceWWF has resigned from the UK Government's zero carbon homes taskforce and withdrawn its support from the policy, which it says is now "effectively useless". The move follows the Government's surprise announcement in the 2011 Budget last month that its definition of 'zero carbon' would no longer include emissions from energy use in the home, from appliances, for example. Housebuilders will now not have to ensure that all energy demand can be met from carbon-neutral sources and will only be responsible for emissions covered by building regulations. The WWF says that the change effectively transfers the task of providing clean energy for 'zero carbon' homes from the housebuilder to energy suppliers and will make decarbonising the grid by 2030 much more difficult. The costs for decarbonising electricity supply will also be redirected from housebuilders and homeowners to all energy bill payers, says the WWF, regardless of income. The organisation says that the original policy, which had cross-party support, would have been a pioneering policy putting the UK ahead of European housing policy and an example to the world. The WWF had been working with the Government's Zero Carbon Taskforce on the legislation since 2007 and says that builders and suppliers were starting to gear up in readiness for the policy, which takes effect in 2016. But shortly after coming into power in 2010, the Coalition hinted that it was considering relaxing the rules surrounding zero-carbon homes to make it easier for developers. Go to www.wwf.org.uk/ |
CBI Warns UK Government's Energy Efficiency Scheme Is UntenableThe CBI has warned that the Government's Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) energy efficiency scheme is untenable. The previous administration introduced the scheme, which was designed to encourage organisations monitor their emissions and make reductions through energy efficiency measures. In its original form, the scheme had a revenue-recycling element that would feed revenue back from the purchase of carbon allowances to all participants, with rewards to the best performers and penalties for the worst. But the revenue-recycling aspect of the scheme was scrapped in the Government's Spending Review last October, turning the scheme into a revenue-generator for the Treasury instead. In a policy brief published yesterday, Back to the Answer: Making the CRC work, the CBI argues that the decision undermines the scheme and is a blow to the companies that had registered with the scheme in good faith. The CBI says that the Government should restore the original incentive in the scheme, either by allowing participants to buy carbon allowances at a fixed price or turning the CRC into a full cap-and-trade system. But if the Government can't or won't reintroduce the incentive in the scheme, the CRC should be scrapped entirely, says the CBI, and be replaced with a simpler energy efficiency mechanism. Go to www.cbi.org.uk |
London Mayor Gives Go Ahead For £116.5 Million Energy Efficiency Programmes.The Mayor of London has confirmed that energy efficiency programmes supported by £116.5 million from the London Development Agency (LDA) and other organisations are to go ahead. The total pot of £116.5 million is now being spent or is in place for carbon reduction projects, including £16.5 million from the LDA for the next financial year. Six key programmes will share the funds to continue their efforts, including the Mayor's flagship Low Carbon Zones, which will have a budget of £1.15 million. The Mayor's RE:NEW homes energy efficiency programme, which has already provided energy efficiency measures for 9000 homes, also gets the go ahead to continue. The programme will receive £5.9 million to assist a further 55,000 homes with energy efficiency measures by spring 2012 - just over a quarter of the way towards its ultimate target of 200,000 homes by the end of the year. The RE:FIT programme, which is a similar scheme run by the LDA aimed at helping public organisations undertake an energy makeover, will receive £270,000 over three years from the Mayor, in addition to £2.67 million already confirmed from the European Local Energy Assistance (Elena) fund. Funding will also go towards expanding the East London Green Grid across the capital and the Green Enterprise Zone in East London. Finally, the London Green Fund has £100 million in public sector funding, from the LDA and the London Waste and Recycling Board, to support waste and energy efficiency projects. However, other programmes have been cut. The LDA will no longer fund the Green500 programme, which was set up to support large commercial organisations cut carbon, and the Green Procurement Code will now be self-funded. Go to www.lda.gov.uk/ |
All-Energy 2011 (Aberdeen) 18 - 19 May 2011Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Aberdeen UK The All-Energy Exhibition & Conference is UK's largest event devoted to all forms of clean and renewable energy. First run in 2001, the show has grown steadily since - the 2010 edition was the tenth in the annual series. For more information go to www.all-energy.co.uk/Home.html |
SWIG Gala Breakfast Awards & CPD/Seminar June 22nd 2011 at City Hall, London.SWIG - The Sustainable Water Industry Group Nominate an Award Winner - or be one yourself! Here are the ingredients for our glittering Gala Breakfast Awards ceremony The most creative imaginative and sustainable projects - from patios to palaces - Delicious breakfast - bring people to impress or reward, affordably (only £25 per head) - Raising awareness of sustainable water use. Either come for the morning only - or stay for the CPD Seminar until 2:30 including lunch with complimentary tickets for you and your guest. Complimentary tickets available for this CPD/Seminar - on the same day and same venue, directly after the SWIG Awards - Noon (buffet lunch included) until 3pm. There has never been a better time to raise awareness of the role of water in a sustainable future- so please put your shoulder behind the wagon with us to create the interest, nominations, enthusiasm and some fun around the SWIG Awards. Promote it, put it into your diary and work with us to make the first Gala Awards ceremony a great success! Full details are at www.sustainablewater.org.uk |
Passivhaus Trust Events In 2011
In collaboration with the Passivhaus Trust, our new Founder member Advantage Austria is offering to sponsor 10 Passivhaus Trust members to discover recent developments in Passivhaus and meet some of Austria's most innovative players in the low energy building sector a day prior to the International Passivhaus conference. The sponsored trip includes visits to recent low energy and Passivhaus projects, 2 nights free bed and breakfast on 25th and 26th May, lunch and dinner on 26th May and a meeting and networking event with Austrian providers on Thursday 26th May. Travel to and from Innsbruck is not included. For more information go to www.advantageaustria.org/gb/news/local/2011-04-14-PassivhausTour.jsp
We are present at the International Passive House Conference in Innsbruck and have reserved a table in a lovely gastro pub on a terrace by the river on the Saturday evening. We would like to welcome anyone who happens to be at the conference to come and join us for a casual and friendly get together over drink and/or a reasonably priced meal. Please email Kirsten Priebe - kirsten@passivhaustrust.org.uk by 24th May if you wish to come along so we can pass on final numbers to the restaurant.
For more details and how to book please contact carine.oberweiss@rda.uk.com
An afternoon seminar for Passivhaus Trust members exploring the state of play for Passivhaus in the UK, including feedback from the International Passive House conference in Innsbruck and an update on the international Passivhaus situation from the International Passivhaus Association, iPHA, followed by an evening drinks and networking jamboree. Tickets for non members will be available at £120 + VAT. Details of venue are to be confirmed shortly.
The Passivhaus Trust and BRE are the lead partners for this event. The conference will be held in London and more details will be published shortly. |
Ecos Trust Events, May - June
This afternoon seminar will provide an update on the latest policies and practices which aim to reduce carbon emissions from new housing. It will be of interest to anyone involved in the design, construction and approval of new housing, such as the construction industry and related professions, including architects, builders, contractors and designers, housebuilders and developers, housing associations and registered social landlords, and local authority officers and members. The changes to the definition of zero carbon new homes is likely to make the national target - 'all new dwellings to be zero carbon from 2016 onwards' - more achievable. There has also been an increased emphasis on carbon reduction above the Code for Sustainable Homes and the emergence of interest in passive house design.
Designed to Code 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes with an EPC rating of A, numbers 1 and 2, The Old Apple Store are now on the market. The open day will give you the opportunity to have a look at these healthy and efficient homes and ask questions about their construction and features.
Helping to make existing homes better for you, your pocket and the environment. This course is for homeowners, self-builders, landlords and anyone else who would like to know more about how to build or refurbish in a sustainable way. If you want to know how to make your home perform better, save money and have less impact on the environment, this is the course for you. For details on these go to www.ecostrust.org.uk |
Northern Ireland's First Accredited Full Permaculture Design CourseTo be lead by environmental consultant and author Graham Bell - the course takes place in the Camphill Community, near Holywood in idyllic County Down and costs £755. Covering all course materials, accommodation, breakfast and Lunch. This timely course will cover all aspects of environmentally and socially productive design. Most importantly, we will learn how to integrate these systems, by design, into well sited plans. Permaculture [from Permanent (agri)Culture] is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive systems which have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural systems. It is applicable in a wide variety of contexts, from family homes to schools, businesses, city wastelands, farms and regional zoning. We look forward to welcoming you on this seminal course in Northern Ireland's development. For more information go to http://laganvalleypermaculture.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/northern-irelands-first-accredited-full-permaculture-design-course/ To inquire or to book a place, contact Laganvalley Permaculture. Telephone: 02890 716200 or email: info@laganvalleypermaculture.co.uk |
Bio-inspired Design, Schumacher College, June 13 - 17thOver countless millennia, nature has developed some of the most inspiring and sustainable solutions to a multitude of different problems. It is a compelling and inspiring method of both seeing and doing for problem-solvers of every discipline, and can be a powerful tool for promoting sustainability. Participants on this dynamic course will be presented with a fresh design lens by looking at the natural world. They will be offered dynamic examples of successful applications of biomimetic innovation from a surprising range of professions, including: architecture, product design and medicine. Participants will practice techniques for discovery, analysis, ideation and implementation of creative solutions using experimental, problem solving and team based learning. From a new generation of solar cells based on Oriental Hornets, to how ant colonies can teach businesses about efficiency; Tom McKeag, lecturer at University of California, will help participants to learn how nature has already found sustainable and efficient answers to many of the big problems we face today. To find out more about this course email: admin@schumachercollege.org.uk, visit www.schumachercollege.org.uk or phone 01803 865934 |
How Can The Impact Of Urban Air Pollution Be Reduced In New Buildings? A New Report From BREBRE, the UK's leading centre of expertise on the built environment, has issued new guidance to help architects and designers achieve acceptable indoor air quality in areas with high outdoor pollution levels, whilst at the same time providing sufficient ventilation for the building. Existing guidelines on ventilation requirements usually assume that the external air supply is "fresh" and free from contaminants but this is often not the case in urban areas, according to the new BRE guidance: "Ventilation for healthy buildings: reducing the impact of urban air pollution", published by IHS BRE Press. As people typically spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, then exposure to this external pollution is a major part of their overall level of exposure. The challenge is how to provide good air quality indoors without exposing a building's occupants to harmful levels of pollution from the outdoor air via ventilation processes. This new report, funded by BRE Trust, provides practical information on how to assess outdoor air pollutant concentrations in the vicinity of proposed urban buildings or developments from a range of sources. It also looks at ways to reduce the impact of polluted outdoor air on indoor environments. For more information go to www.brebookshop.com, or ring 01344 328038, ref. FB 30. |
The Case for Young People and Nature: A Path to a Healthy, Natural, Prosperous FutureThis paper describes what governments need to do to stabilize climate, fulfilling their obligation to young people and future generations. This is the science basis attached to suits being filed this week and in the future in different states and countries. To read it go to www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2011/20110505_CaseForYoungPeople.pdf |
Senior Engineer PositionExciting opportunity for an experienced building physics engineer to lead the expansion of greentomatoenergy's low energy building consultancy business. Responding to significant business growth in its low energy building division, greentomatoenergy is looking to bring on board a Senior Consultant/Engineer to play a leading role in the expansion of its business. This exciting role would involve working alongside a team of energetic and committed directors to build on the company's existing momentum in creating a business of scale and influencing the future direction of UK low energy building. Responsibilities will include:
Applicants should contact tom@greentomatoenergy.com. Closing date for applications is 31st May 2011. For more information on the company go to www.greentomatoenergy.com |
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