Network - The free AECB newsletter - January 2011
Network - The free AECB newsletter - January 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. |
2011 Conference: Get Ready For Nottingham!Join us on 16 -17th September 2011 at the University of Nottingham for the 2011 AECB Conference and AGM. Final programme information is now available to download from the AECB website. If you have not already booked, delegate places and low-cost onsite accommodation are still available. Register now to:
You can download the programme, register and book accommodation online at www.aecb.net/conference.php |
Beyond 2010 Grants For TrainingTraining grants for Sustainable Community and Built Environment (SCC) businesses in the East of England. The Beyond 2010 programme www.beyond2010.co.uk helps regional businesses by reimbursing up to 70% of the training cost of eligible courses. This funding is only available this year and training must be completed by 30th November 2011. Conference attendance e.g. AECB 2011 Annual Conference, might possibly be supported if grant applicants can make a case for the workshops leading to new skills development which will have a business measurable impact. The East of England includes businesses based in the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. To discuss in more detail and find out if your business and the training you seek are eligible contact Anne Williamson by email in the first instance anne.e.williamson@btinternet.com 07748 261804. |
Multiple Logins: Setting Up Your Own Personal Username In Order To Gain Full Access To The AECB WebsiteThe company you work for must be an AECB member. Register as a forum user at http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php Send an email to emma@aecb.net (Emma Furniss) with your registered username and the name of the company you work for. Emma will confirm when your user name has been activated. |
SoapboxIn this month's Soapbox Geoff Stow shares his personal reaction to how he has seen green technologies being sold, to householders anxious to improve the energy performance of their homes. His concern is that consumers are being left to the mercy of over-enthusiastic - and potentially downright dishonest - salesmen, when contemplating major investments. Where, he asks, is the reliable, and above all objective, advice? View the latest soapbox here (http://aecb.net/news/category/soapbox/) Don't forget that as an AECB member you can add your perspective to the Soapbox topics on the AECB forum - follow the links at the bottom of the Soapbox, or go straight to the announcements board on http://www.aecb.net/forum/. |
2011 UK Heat And Moisture Conference And Training10% discount offered to AECB members on registration (either for training only, conference only or both) 4th and 5th October 2011: WUFI Training Seminar - hygrothermics and WUFI Pro simulation presented by Fraunhofer IBP 6th and 7th October 2011: UK Heat and Moisture Conference and workshop - state of the art hygrothermic investigation in the UK Full details with regard to programme, confirmed speakers, registration and fees are available at http://wufi.engineering.cf.ac.uk/registration.html or contact: Dr Christina Hopfe: hopfeC@cardiff.ac.uk 029 208 70386 or Dr Matthew Hall: Matthew.Hall@nottingham.ac.uk 0115 84 67873 |
Heat & Moisture Simulation Workshops - Assess Risk & Prevent Interstitial Condensation12th and 13th September, 2011 Workshop Location: Scotland The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Street, Glasgow, G1 3NU 15th and 16th September, 2011 Workshop Location: Issacs Hotel Dublin 1 10% discount on bookings made by 12th September 2011 AECB members wishing to attend the upcoming WUFI Pro training courses in Glasgow and Dublin this September have yet to reserve their place can now avail a 10% discount on the standard rates. (Sole traders and companies registered in Scotland may be able to avail of up to 50% funding through Skills Development Scotland. Please contact them directly.) This workshop will teach participants to use Fraunhofer's WUFI Pro software for simulating heat and moisture transfer through building fabric for the purpose of assessing risk and preventing interstitial condensation. Focus will be on the practical application of the software with emphasis on its use in the UK and Ireland. This 2 day workshop equates to 13 CPD points and will be delivered by Joseph Little and Calina Ferraro of Building Life Consultancy and Manfred Kehrer of the Fraunhofer Institute of Building Physics and Oak Ridge National Laboratories - USA. Topics discussed will include fundamentals of building physics, practical examples with WUFI® Pro, interpretation of results, the market context for WUFI in the UK, and a review of completed case studies. Attendees will learn how to input a wall or roof, its orientation and location, and run simulations on different configurations. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to work on their own problem build-ups. The workshop is intended for architects, engineers, insulation suppliers, system manufacturers, builders, and anyone with a focus on interstitial condensation, healthy buildings, conservation and fabric performance. No previous experience with the WUFI Pro software is required. To obtain further information on the course, CPD allocation and course cost, please visit the 'Training' section of Building Life Consultancy's website at www.buildinglifeconsultancy.com |
AECB Member Develops Low Energy Garden Room With Eco FeaturesWith the housing market struggling and interest rates set to increase many homeowners are looking to stay where they are and make their property work harder for them. Combine this with changing workplace cultures and the rising trend of 'working from home' and you will understand why the garden room market has expanded over recent years. Homeowners are choosing to use their garden to house a home office, a gaming room or simply a garden room to enjoy the garden. New to the market is the eDen. Designed and built by AECB member, Eco Frame Systems, the eDen is designed to be visually stunning, it is designed to be unique and above all it is designed to be sustainable. Using modern construction methods, the eDEN is equipped with high specification fixtures and fittings. Clad in an unique, environmentally-friendly 'living wall' of flowers and foliage, this sustainable, thermo efficient multi purpose garden building blends in beautifully with its surroundings and can be used for multiple purposes such as a guest suite, an office, a music room, a garden room or a sanctuary. Using a team of highly skilled tradesmen, Eco Frame Systems build each individual eDen in their factory in Kent, the team will then dismantle the finished product and take it to the site. From this point they will aim to have the eDen constructed and can be ready for use within 7 working days. Key features:
Whilst the eDen has a number of innovative features it is a product which is designed to suit all budgets. Customers can choose a basic room and then, according to budget and personal requirements, can add on the different components to create a truly personal and unique room to suit their lifestyle. The first eDen has been erected in Broadstairs and is open for people to look round, chat with the Eco Frames Systems team and sample a cup of tea! For more information go to www.edengardenrooms.com or email info@edengardenrooms.com |
Renewable Heat Incentive - RHISince the launch last month by the Energy Saving Trust of the 'Renewable Heat Premium' , a voucher scheme offering a grant towards various heating technologies, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) appear to be the most popular. In the opening weeks of the scheme, it has been reported that 36% of all the vouchers issued have been for ASHPs. According to reports, the next most popular technologies have been ground source heat pumps (21 per cent) and biomass boilers (14 per cent). Go to www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/air-source-heat-pumps-lead-way-in-heating-homes-2530.aspx AECB's new feature, 'Air source heat pumps, friend or foe' can be read here http://aecb.net/news/category/feature-articles/, and AECB's response to the 2010 RHI consultation can be read at http://aecb.net/new_releases/detail/?nId=4 |
Biomass Demand Could Fuel Global Land Rush, Warns ReportAccording to a new report from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), fast-moving plans for biomass energy could have a negative impact on some of the world's poorest countries. The paper projects that demand for woodfuel in the UK is likely to exceed domestic supplies by up to 600% in the coming years. The UK, like Sweden and the Netherlands, currently imports 40 million tonnes of wood each year, a figure which is expected to rise to 50 million tonnes. According to the IIED, the subsequent increase of plantations in developing countries may have a negative effect on land access and food security in those areas. For further information go to http://pubs.iied.org/17098IIED.html Source Energy Efficiency News |
EC Announces Details Of Sustainable Biofuel Certification SchemesThe European Commission (EC) announced today the seven voluntary schemes that will certify biofuels as sustainable. The certification schemes - ISCC, Bonsucro EU, RTRS EU RED, RSB EU RED, 2BSvs, RSB and Greenergy - will consider biofuels being used or imported into the EU against criteria set out in the Renewable Energy Directive. The schemes promise to guarantee that high biodiversity areas like tropical forests and carbon-rich peatlands will not be turned into feedstock plantations and that biofuels will deliver greenhouse gas savings of at least 35% over fossil fuels. But green groups will also want to know just how those schemes were chosen. Earlier this year, environmental law group ClientEarth, Friends of the Earth Europe, FERN and Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) filed a lawsuit against the EC demanding more transparency over biofuels policy. The approved schemes include the German government financed ISCC, the French industry scheme 2BSvs and Abengoa's industry scheme RSBA, as well as roundtable initiatives focuses on sugarcane in Brazil (Bonsucro EU and Greenergy) and soy in Argentina and Brazil (RTRS EU RED). "Industry-led schemes to certify crops like soy biofuels as 'sustainable' or 'responsible' are highly controversial," says Robbie Blake of Friends of the Earth Europe. He claims that some schemes, like the soy-industry initiative RTRS, will not prevent deforestation in areas like South America, will fail to protect local communities and could allow the use of genetically modified soy. Blake warns that through some of these certification schemes, the EU could be endorsing 'greenwashing'. For further information go to http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/biofuels/sustainability_schemes_en.htm Source Energy Efficiency News |
Calling All Game Changers - Enter The International Green AwardsInnovation and creativity are central to the International Green Awards criteria for success, so it's no surprise that we have two categories to showcase some of the more groundbreaking ideas and projects that can make a positive difference. With an increasing emphasis on sustainability, it is now important to incorporate a genuine sustainability benefit, whilst meeting consumer needs for products and services. This includes products and services that allow for economic development whilst also conserving resources for future generations. We are looking
for genuine 'solutions' in products and services - those that provide
and embody sustainability principles. We are looking for sustainability
in every aspect of the process - from sourcing to manufacture to marketing
to end use. Only 2 weeks left to enter - application deadline 1st September 2011! The International Green Awards gala ceremony and dinner is an opportunity to meet some of the most influential sustainability business leaders - from across the world! This year, the awards roll out the green carpet at the Natural History Museum, London on 24th November 2011! Book your tickets now for an early bird discount! Email info@greenawards.com or visit www.greenawards.com |
Public Service Sell-Off Companies Involved In Tax HavensA new report published today by Ethical Consumer magazine reveals that 13 of the 20 biggest private companies now being awarded public service contracts by the government have subsidiaries in tax havens. The report identifies that companies including Capita, KPMG and Serco have subsidiaries in places usually used to minimise tax bills. Ironically this June Capita was awarded a £100 million contract by the DVLA to crackdown on vehicle tax and insurance evasion. The groundbreaking report surveyed 20 of the biggest companies now profiting from the privatisation of public services. The results show that some of these companies are amongst the least ethical in the UK with Capita, G4S, Serco and Sodexo among the companies with a bottom rating for a number of ethical and environmental criteria including environmental reporting and supply chain management. The results of the survey also suggest that the government is now awarding public service contracts to companies without any scrutiny of a company's ethical or environmental policies. This apparent policy vacuum threatens to undermine the government's efforts at introducing sustainable procurement policies. The full report is at www.ethicalconsumer.org/CommentAnalysis/Features/Isthatwhatyoucallgoodservice.aspx |
Brighton And Hove Eco Open Houses: 8th - 11th September 2011On Monday 5th September at 10am Caroline Lucas, MP will officially open The Nook retrofit project as part of Eco Open Houses 2011. The Nook retrofit project was a project to renovate an old leaky energy inefficient Victorian house into one of Brighton's greenest homes, making it fit for the future. It has been predicted that the houses carbon emissions will have been cut by 80% and bills will be halved. Eco Open Houses is an award winning annual event in Brighton and Hove which aims to inspire the uptake of energy efficiency by opening up houses that demonstrate best practice in the area. The public are either given a tour of the houses by a householder or a professional that worked on the project, or they 'drop-in' for an informal look around. The Nook will be opened as part of the Brighton and Hove Eco Open Houses event which runs from 8th to 11th September 2011. For more details please see: www.ecoopenhouses.org. Eco Open Houses has been inspiring homeowners, builders, and anyone interested in making their home more eco-friendly for four years running. |
GHA Site Visit - 13th September, 2.00 to 4.30pm.Code Level 6, Greenwatt Way, Slough. Built by SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy), Greenwatt Way is home to SSE employees, Slough Borough Council staff and local residents. The project is being used to understand the energy consumption of low carbon housing occupants and the energy generation required to meet their demands. We will hear from SSE R&D team's Wendy Pringle, describing the innovative systems in the houses and the monitoring being carried out, and architect Chris Wilford of PRP, will tell us more on the design of the homes. There will also be the chance to view the show home and the energy centre. To book the above please contact info@goodhomes.org.uk or visit www.goodhomes.org.uk for details on this and other visits. Places are strictly limited due to site restrictions and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. |
World Green Building Week Event - Tour Of Wales Institute For Sustainable Education - 20th September 2011The Centre for Alternative Technology invites you to a tour of their RIBA award winning building WISE (Wales Institute for Sustainable Education), which houses their Graduate School of the Environment. Designed by architects Pat Borer and David Lea, Pat Borer will host the event and guide participants around the beautiful combination of environmentally conscious design and cutting-edge sustainable building techniques. The supply of on-site renewable energy sources, including biomass and solar power, means that WISE is a truly sustainable building. 14.00 - 16.00, Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth. For more information and to register please contact caroline.alsop@cat.org.uk |
Zero Carbon Architecture In Traditional Style, Thursday 22 September, 9.30 - 16.00Newbiggin Village Hall, Near Penrith, CA11 0HT A free CPD event for Construction Industry Professionals, including site visit and presentations on relevant technologies. This event offers an opportunity to see elements of the build in progress and participate in seminars on key aspects of the technologies involved:
There will be a further opportunity for a tour of the site on Wednesday 12 October 14.00 - 16.00 Places on these FREE events are limited and booking is essential. To register your interest in attending please go to www.cumbriagreenbuild.org.uk |
Straw Bale Construction Workshop - 24th September 2011Nr Dargate/Dunkirk, Kent Energy efficiency and the wider issues of sustainability are becoming key issues of concern in our fragile and rapidly changing planet. In the drive towards healthy, sustainable and energy efficient building it is becoming increasingly apparent that the use of natural (renewable) materials have a major role to play. In the first of a new series of workshops by Green Building Solutions the use of straw bales in the construction of load and non-load bearing walls is explored through presentation, demonstration and practical workshop constructing a wall following typical details. 9.00am arrival for a 9.30 start finishing approx. 4.30pm Fee (per person): £75 (includes refreshments) - bring packed lunch and suitable outdoor clothing. Email info@greenbuildingsolutions.co.uk or go to www.greenbuildingsolutions.co.uk |
Ecos Trust - Healthy Buildings-Good For People, Planet And The Economy - 6th October 2011.The Pavilion, Harbourside, Bristol There is plenty of evidence to illustrate that people living and working in a building that promotes good health are happier, more productive and healthier. This one day conference will present the case that a truly sustainable building, whether it is new build or refurbished, is one that promotes good health for all its occupants. Issues being addressed will be building design, indoor air quality, user comfort, materials, credits that can be achieved for The Code for Sustainable Homes, ventilation and airtightness. Case studies will include best practice residential examples and commercial/office schemes. For more information go to: www.ecostrust.org.uk/jcms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92&Itemid=79 |
Seminar: Challenges And Solutions To Thermally Upgrading Existing Masonry Walls With Internal Insulation - 7/10/11Ecological Building Systems in conjunction with Calsitherm are holding a seminar on the topic of thermally upgrading existing masonry walls with internal insulation at The Building Centre in London on the 7th October 2011 Internal wall insulation presents significant challenges for durability and indoor air quality. With the advent of 'The Green Deal' and the need to thermally upgrade existing masonry single skin walls the Seminar focuses on and considers relevant technical aspects in the planning, designing and installation of internal wall insulation. Further information available at www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/workspace/downloads/Technical-Briefing-Seminar-7-October-2011-Building-Centre-London.pdf |
Widening Participation For Women In STEM - Wednesday 26th October 2011Central London, 09:00 - 16:30 Women occupy just 25% of the nation's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles and earn, on average, 14 cents less per pound than men in these fields. In order to bridge this gap, individual institutions across the country are taking steps to improve widening participation for women in STEM. Research institutes and the larger education sector are collaborating with private organisations in order to improve diversity and employability within STEM. In addition, further education colleges are now adopting a new curriculum with greater recognition for STEM subjects and promoting diversity in work placement schemes. This timely forum (chaired by Baroness Margaret Prosser of Battersea OBE, Deputy Chair, Equality and Human Rights Commission) will explore your role in making science accessible for all and how to get more involved. Attend this event to hear from senior government officials and gain a greater understanding of the government's policies on promoting STEM, and also network with expert peers and drivers of the women's agenda. To view the complete agenda please go to http://insidegovernment.msgfocus.com/c/1bph7d5gfEgBDU2rcH |
Clayworks CoursesClayworks are now running monthly courses in clay plastering for novices and professionals. The next course will be held on Thursday 29th September at the Cornish Lime Company in Bodmin, Cornwall. 9.30-4pm. The course costs £120 per person (including lunch). Training day for professional plasterer's of all disciplines wanting to get familiar with the application of Clayworks base and top coat clay plasters. Identifying suitable wall surfaces, preparing wall surfaces, application and finishing techniques. Contact Katy: katy@clay-works.com; 07896 183031; www.clay-works.com Details to be found at www.cornishlime.co.uk |
New Research For 10th Anniversary Edition Of The Good Shopping Guide Shows No Price Premium On Many Ethical BrandsNew research by The Ethical Company Organisation for the 10th Anniversary Edition of their best selling consumer handbook The Good Shopping Guide shows that switching to a more ethical product choice doesn't have to come with a price premium. The latest edition of the guide goes on sale today, Friday 2nd September, in major bookshops and online. The guide is underpinned by ten years of detailed research by The Ethical Company Organisation into the ethical records of hundred's of the UK's biggest brands, covering up to 15 different Corporate Social Responsible criteria (from human rights to nuclear power, the environment to political donations, armaments to animal welfare) . Over 700 famous brands are ranked by their Ethical Company Index (ECI) score - an overall percentage 'ethical rating' based on points received for each of the criteria they are judged on - in 72 product-specific league tables under the 7 main sections of Food & Drink, Health & Beauty, Travel, Energy, Fashion, Home & Office and Money. With easy-view summary tables (plus supporting in-depth research tables), The Good Shopping Guide enables consumers to make clear comparisons with other brands within each product sector and identify 'the good, the bad and the ugly' brands with ease. For example, there may be little difference in the annual financial cost of renewable electricity from Good Energy and nPower, but how these companies regard the environment, animal welfare and human rights is very different. Similarly, there is little difference in the price for an all-in-one printer from Hewlett Packard compared to an equivalent printer from Brother, but once again the ethical footprint of both companies differ substantially. For further information and to buy the latest edition of the book with free postage & packing, go to http://cts.vresp.com/c/?EthicalCompanyOrgani/0a1cc72c6a/77227cb6d9/494b71909a. |
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