Sustainability & Construction Newsletter #24
Mitsubishi Electric Living Environmental Systems UK
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation and Controls
Welcome to the 24th edition of our Sustainability & Construction newsletter!
In this edition, we discuss sustainability in the construction industry, the Net Zero transition, the future of work, innovation, and the role of government. We will explore these topics in more detail, providing insights into the latest trends and developments. The construction industry is a major contributor to climate change, but there are many ways to make it more sustainable.?
We're delighted to feature Mark Hewett, Managing Director at Airtemp AC Ltd, in our guest section, 'Construction Voices'. Mark discusses how the built environment is undergoing a significant transformation towards net zero, and how Airtemp is aligning itself with this transformation by adopting sustainable practices and partnering with companies like Mitsubishi Electric.
Read on to learn more about the challenges and opportunities the construction industry faces as it moves towards a more sustainable future.
Latest Mitsubishi Electric News:
Martin Fahey points to collaboration being key to solving the climate crisis. In an era marked by environmental challenges and the pressing need to combat climate change, the significance of a more sustainable built environment cannot be overstated. World Green Building Week serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to create a greener, more sustainable future, with the built environment at the centre of this challenge.
Sharon Oliver looks at ways to reduce carbon emissions. The education sector is a cornerstone of our society. While its primary focus remains academic excellence, its footprint on the environment cannot be ignored.
Latest Industry News
The UK's net-zero transition could create 226,000 net new jobs in the construction sector by 2050. This growth would be driven by the need to build more energy-efficient buildings, install low-carbon heating systems, and construct new infrastructure for renewable energy. The construction sector is well-placed to take advantage of the net-zero transition, as it has the skills and expertise to deliver these projects.
Kier, Tilbury Douglas, and Wates are among 87 contractors chosen for the ￡8bn Procure Partnerships Framework. Initially focused on construction, it now covers decarbonisation, retrofit, and more. Serving local authorities and NHS trusts, it spans nine sub-regions with values from ￡50,000 to ￡50m. With 58 firms in construction, including Bam and Kier, many like Wates also feature in the decarbonisation sector. Set to start procurement in November, the framework blends regional SMEs with national giants, aiming to reshape public procurement.
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) and NABERS have today announced that BRE is ending its licence agreement for the energy performance rating tool, NABERS UK, in order to focus on its world-leading BREEAM scheme.
In an exciting collaboration, Caulmert and Cyngor Gwynedd are crafting the blueprint for sustainable education. The new Net Zero Community Campus in Bontnewydd, which will reuse materials from the previous site to enhance sustainability, isn't just a school; it's a testament to a greener future.
UKGBC publishes new guidance on renewable electricity procurement for commercial buildings. The guidance identifies 3 key principles for good quality procurement: renewable, additionality, and time-matched. It also includes recommendations such as prioritising renewable sources and opting for deep green tariffs.
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After the Department for Education (DfE) updated its guidance on mitigating the potential impacts of Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete (RAAC) yesterday, at least 156 schools and 34 hospitals are now known to have the ‘weaker’ form of concrete present.
The September 2023 Energy Manager Magazine discusses news, innovations in energy storage, and sustainability in energy management. It provides insights on various topics, including five misconceptions of retrofitting and tips to get started, renewable energy, and heat networks.
The construction industry is facing a slowdown due to high-interest rates and rising debt costs. Contractors are responding to the slowdown by cutting jobs and restructuring, which could lead to higher prices for construction projects.
Morgan Sindall to build ￡20m net zero R&D facility in Neath Port Talbot to help steel and metal industries decarbonise. The facility, to be known as SWITCH Harbourside, will bring together expertise from academia, industry and government to accelerate the region's transition to net zero.
The circular economy principles offer huge opportunities in the built environment. But a circular economy must not spin out into a spiral economy, as the quest for low-carbon concrete shows.
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 welcome Mark Hewett , Managing Director at Airtemp AC Ltd , providing energy-efficient HVAC solutions and support across all industry sectors.
The Built environment is going through its biggest change since the Industrial Revolution - how buildings are designed, built,?occupied, and maintained will be very different over the next 10, 20, and 30 years. We at Airtemp align ourselves with the industry challenges around Net Zero will allow us to operate and be comfortable with the challenges that lie ahead. We see this as an opportunity to grow and prosper whilst maintaining that balance between profit and the planet. The challenge we face right now is how to gear ourselves to be a business that practices what we preach.
The addition of the CCRP (Committed Carbon Reduction Partner) scheme to Mitsubishi Electric’s partner programme is a step in the right direction. The accreditation is a way we can raise our sustainability credentials whilst being recognised and celebrated for our efforts – fostering a sustainable business is by no means an easy task. However, the CCRP accreditation presents the support, material and direction for us to get there and, more importantly, improve year on year. It represents real collaboration within the industry, yet another step change!
The industry is currently driven by capital cost, which must change as it’s not sustainable. The driver must be longevity and sustainable construction. For us as a contractor, we would fully support a change in the mindset of the developers and construction businesses that create the opportunities we work in.
We have a strategy within our business to reduce our carbon footprint, including using electric vehicles and managing how we heat and cool our premises and our clients. Product innovation will also help with these challenges as we look to the likes of Mitsubishi Electric and other manufacturers to lead the way.
Whilst there is a lot of uncertainty and change within the industry, Airtemp sees this as an opportunity to reflect and do things slightly differently. Initiatives like the CCRP scheme are a welcome strategy from one of the leading manufacturers in the marketplace in which we operate.
We hope you've found the content of this newsletter useful and relevant to you. 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 .