Sustainability & Construction Newsletter #21
Mitsubishi Electric Living Environmental Systems UK
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation and Controls
Welcome to the 21st edition of the Sustainability & Construction newsletter.?
In this edition, we bring you news on the latest challenges and opportunities in the UK heat pump market, the importance of refurbishment and retrofitting in reducing carbon emissions, and the skills capacity needed to achieve Net Zero goals.
This newsletter provides valuable insights into the efforts being made to address climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and create a more sustainable future.
We're also pleased to hear from Martin Fahey?as part of our Construction Voices guest spot.?
Read on to stay informed and inspired by the latest sustainability developments in the construction industry.
Latest Mitsubishi Electric News:?
James Parker discusses the challenges and opportunities in the UK heat pump market, emphasising the need for government support and education to accelerate adoption in both residential and commercial buildings to meet climate targets and achieve a sustainable future.
Reuse and retrofitting of existing buildings can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. Renovation and reuse projects typically save between 50 and 75 percent of the embodied carbon emissions. According to a study, we can reduce the carbon emissions of historic buildings by over 60% by 2050 through refurbishment and retrofit.
We need to talk about the operational resilience of buildings from day one. Commissioning is simply not given the prominence it should be and this not only affects day-to-day operations, it also shortens equipment life. Things that are most important for the running of a building throughout its life are often given the least time in the design and build stage. Dave Archer, National M&E Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, looks at the importance of designing a system for its lifetime.
Latest?Industry News:?
edie has published a new report examining the opportunities and challenges that the NHS faces in its efforts to reach Net Zero by 2040, and the additional environmental and societal benefits that can be delivered.
Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has rejected Marks & Spencer's plans to demolish their flagship store on Oxford Street. M&S had sought to demolish the building and replace it with a state-of-the-art, sustainable structure due to a decline in foot traffic and the perception of decline in the shopping district. This decision sets an important precedent for considering embodied carbon as a factor in proposed developments and raises scrutiny over carbon offset plans. M&S has six weeks to file an application to challenge the decision.
UKGBC’s Impact Report 22-23 documents the transformational impact the network had over a financial year with collaboration at its heart. It's the first Impact Report to track activities in line with their 2025 strategy and goals, with the aims of pushing for climate action further and faster.
There is widespread recognition of the importance of sustainability, but insights from Ramboll’s Sustainable Buildings Market Study highlights several gaps between ambitions and actionable strategies. Scott Brookes, director at Ramboll, takes a look.
A new report has claimed the UK’s Net Zero ambitions are being hindered by an acute skills shortage that hampers the design, development, supply, installation, inspection, and maintenance of legacy, current, new, and innovative systems. ESC interviewed and surveyed professionals from across the built environment sector over the last year.
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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has emphasized that the government's Net Zero targets must be met in a pragmatic way that does not impose unnecessary costs on people. Sunak has confirmed that the government will keep making progress towards its Net Zero ambition, but he does not want to add to people's household bills while inflation is high.
Energy ministers from G20 countries failed to reach an agreement on shared goals and plans for decarbonising energy systems at the Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in Goa, India. There was no final agreement on a communique, and the publication of a communique requires agreement from all parties on all paragraphs.
Over 85% of companies plan to increase investments in environmental sustainability initiatives despite the economic headwinds, according to Honeywell's Environmental Sustainable Index. The focus on technology-based solutions has increased to hit sustainability goals. The top priorities for companies are energy efficiency, emissions reduction, pollution prevention, and circularity/recycling.
The Mayor has set ambitious targets for London to be a zero-carbon city by 2030. If we are to achieve carbon neutrality our priorities must include retaining buildings and infrastructure while making them more environmentally sustainable and replacing the end-of-life concept with re-use, re-purpose and recycle. This NLA report looks at strategies, initiatives and projects that are pushing the boundaries to build a circular city.
The Riba Stirling Prize has created the new Reinvention award for the transformation of second-hand buildings, to encourage architects to pour their creativity into refurbishing existing buildings, rather than demolishing them in favour of new-build. The shortlist of awards includes the Wolverhampton School of Architecture and the Museum of the Home in London.
Construction Voices:
Each week we invite industry figures to generously share their invaluable insights and expertise in shaping a sustainable built environment. This week, we’re hearing from Martin Fahey, Head Of Sustainability at Mitsubishi Electric UK & IRE, on the UK government’s controversial decision to expand oil and gas licences.
UK Government's Controversial Decision to Expand Oil and Gas Licences
The UK has been a pioneer in transitioning towards a greener future and, after hosting COP 26 in Glasgow, the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ambition was expanded to generally positive reviews. However, recent developments have left many concerned. The government's decision to agree more oil and gas licences has sparked heated debates and raised questions about our commitment to combatting climate change.
In the face of mounting pressure from the oil and gas industry and concerns over energy security, as well as, short-term electoral concerns, the government has made the contentious choice to expand oil and gas exploration. This comes as a surprise to many, given our ambitious climate targets and legal commitments under Net Zero.
One of the primary concerns surrounding this decision is the impact on efforts to combat climate change, and how the country plays our full part in this fight. By continuing to invest in fossil fuels, we risk exacerbating the global climate crisis and undermining emission reduction targets. Critics argue that the focus should be on accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources rather than doubling down on carbon-intensive industries.
The green energy sector has immense potential for job creation and economic growth. By redirecting investments here, we could simultaneously safeguard employment opportunities while contributing to a more sustainable economy and a more secure energy system.
The decision is undoubtedly a contentious move that has polarised public opinion. As a nation we should be at the forefront of the fight against climate change, prioritising sustainable alternatives in supply and demand, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources.
By investing in clean technologies and supporting green industries, the UK can lead by example and inspire other nations to follow suit in the collective effort to combat the climate crisis and build a sustainable future for generations to come.
We hope you've found the content of this newsletter useful and relevant. In each edition, we'll focus on bringing you the latest news and topics around sustainability and construction. If there are any news articles you would like us to feature, or if you would like to be a guest contributor for Construction Voices, please?get in touch with us .
Find out more about our new Sustainability and Construction team?here .