London will need much more “green” office space by 2030 to meet sustainability pledges

Louisa Clarence-Smith writes on The Times website about recent analysis that shows the increasing need for green offices over the next decade. Is the same true in your country? Demand for green offices will soar to meet carbon targets London will need much more “green” office space by 2030 to meet sustainability pledges made … Continue reading London will need much more “green” office space by 2030 to meet sustainability pledges →

Recent study shows Estonia amongst the countries with the most energy efficient buildings in Europe

The Estonian Research Council has published on the Eurekalert website the results of a recent study that shows the progress made in Estonia to build energy efficient buildings. Scientists: Estonia has the most energy efficient new nearly zero energy buildings A recent study carried out by an international group of building scientists showed that … Continue reading Recent study shows Estonia amongst the countries with the most energy efficient buildings in Europe →

Important question raised about whether we can heat our buildings without fossil fuels

The world is on average getting warmer, but we still need to keep buildings at liveable temperatures year-round. Laura Cole writes on the BBC website whether it is possible to cut emissions while keeping warm in winter. The author finds some inspiration in Brussels. Can we heat buildings without burning fossil fuels? To look at, … Continue reading Important question raised about whether we can heat our buildings without fossil fuels →

Airtight homes could be trapping toxic air pollutants indoors

Present building regulations place more emphasis on energy efficiency than on air quality and house builders are failing to comply with minimum standards on ventilation, the report says. Only three out of 80 new homes studied in seven developments in England met ventilation guidelines. Ben Webster explains in an article on the New York Times … Continue reading Airtight homes could be trapping toxic air pollutants indoors →

Survey shows 75 per cent of Scottish homes are in a state of disrepair and fuel poverty rose for the first time in five years

The Scottish House Condition Survey revealed that 75 per cent of Scottish homes are in a state of disrepair and 57 per cent have “disrepair to critical elements.” Marc Horne explains in an article on The Times website. Three out of four homes need repair as fuel poverty rises Three quarters of Scotland’s 2.6 … Continue reading Survey shows 75 per cent of Scottish homes are in a state of disrepair and fuel poverty rose for the first time in five years →

Decarbonisation of the power grid is not enough to enable the UK to hit net zero carbon targets

Brendan Coyne writes on the Energy Tryst about a new study by the UK Green Building Council that offices will have to cut energy use by almost two thirds to enable the UK to hit net zero carbon targets. Are these findings in other countries as well? Offices ‘should cut energy use 60 per cent … Continue reading Decarbonisation of the power grid is not enough to enable the UK to hit net zero carbon targets →

It will not be possible to meet climate goals without immediate and durable action on building fossil fuel use

Mark Silberg writes on the Rocky Mountain Institute website that the US has to change its attitude towards using fossil fuels in buildings if there is any hope to meeting long-term climate goals. While this is about the US, no doubt this is equally true globally. What are your views? Fossil Gas Has No … Continue reading It will not be possible to meet climate goals without immediate and durable action on building fossil fuel use →

Important rallying cry: “Never demolish, never remove or replace, always add, transform, and reuse!”

While the European Environment Agency recently published a briefing on construction and demolition waste, Oliver Wainwright writes on a similar theme in The Guardian of the need to never demolish another building. What are your views? The case for ... never demolishing another building The wrecking ball has always been the great symbol of … Continue reading Important rallying cry: “Never demolish, never remove or replace, always add, transform, and reuse!” →

New EEA briefing on construction and demolition waste

Construction and demolition waste makes up just over one third of total waste generation in the EU. Despite relatively high recovery rates of used materials, Europe’s construction sector will need to be even more ambitious in its waste management practices if it is to fully embrace Europe’s circular economy. According to a European Environment Agency … Continue reading New EEA briefing on construction and demolition waste →

State and local government buildings in New York State are expected to be at the front of the effort to reduce energy use and emissions

It is encouraging to see the funding going into the renovation of public buildings in New York State. Latest develops are explained in a news article on the Renewable Energy Magazine website. NY Governor Cuomo Announces $1.5 Billion in Funding for Energy Efficiency Improvements New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (D) has said that … Continue reading State and local government buildings in New York State are expected to be at the front of the effort to reduce energy use and emissions →