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Note: these articles were submitted by industry professionals, and that the views and opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of CIEF. If you wish to submit an article, please Steve Wheeler on 020 7549 3300, or email: steven.wheeler@ciria.org
Why is retrofitting of adaptation measures to existing homes important?
Jennifer Schooling, Arup
There is now overwhelming scientific consensus that the Earth’s climate is being affected by human activities, predominantly burning fossil fuels. To limit the levels of climate change, international governments have agreed that significant emissions cuts are necessary by 2050. The UK government has set targets of 60 per cent cuts by 2050, and is currently reviewing these with a view to increasing this target to 80 per cent. Domestic building stock accounts for 27 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions.
Guidance on meeting the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes: a new guide from the Concrete Centre.
Guy Thompson, The Concrete Centre
The Code for Sustainable Homes presents considerable challenges, particularly with regards to energy. To answer these challenges, the Concrete Centre has published a new guide that demonstrates how to achieve the Code’s mandatory energy and CO2 requirements with masonry and concrete.
The Code for Sustainable Homes: compliance and cost
Phil Birch, Cyril Sweett
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) arrived in April 2007, superseding the
environmental assessment method EcoHomes. It adopts the same approach as EcoHomes
but with more challenging targets. From May 2008 a CFSH rating is mandatory
for all new homes built in England. The ratings range between level 0 –
6, with each level setting more stringent standards, particularly with regard
to energy (measured with respect to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions) and water
consumption.
Bringing sustainability to life: Bovis Lend Lease (BLL) 201 Bishopsgate and the Broadgate Tower development
Dr Paul Toyne, Bovis Lend Lease Ltd
Bovis Lend Lease believes it is important for major companies within the construction and property sector to be making commitments to sustainability. Why? Recent evidence from a series of international reports by organisations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Environmental Programme suggest that in each country, the built environment is responsible for 25‑40 per cent of total energy use, 30‑40 per cent of solid waste generation and 30‑40 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The built environment is also responsible for the use of one third of the world’s raw materials and 20 per cent of all water use. These are huge figures and if we are going to effectively conserve our vital natural resources we need to take appropriate action. This is the rationale for change.
Facing up to the London property challenge
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
A report published by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) says that bold steps need to be taken on housing provision, control of carbon emissions, planning and skills if Londoners are to continue to enjoy the economic benefits derived by the city attracting business and investment.
The RICS London region document Facing up to the London property challenge was presented to London’s mayoral candidates and their representatives at a breakfast forum held at the end of March. The document sets out the critical factors for delivering real improvements for London over the next four years and calls for action by the Mayor and the Greater London Authority (GLA) to achieve them.
Review of waste exemptions - how will it affect you?
Alice Cohen, Defra
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and the Environment Agency (EA) are undertaking a review of the waste exemptions contained in the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England & Wales) 2007. The exemptions cover a range of industries, including construction. Consultation is planned for summer 2008.
Most of the current exemptions have been in place since 1994 with limited review or amendment. Exemptions need to keep pace with the changing world of waste management to allow for new technological developments. The risk posed by certain operations has also changed and experience has shown there can be abuse of the lower regulatory control of exemptions, such as unsuitable material used in registered exempt sites
Government’s aim is to provide a risk based and proportionate approach to the regulation of waste recovery and disposal operations, complementing the new Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales 2007).
An overview of The Pitt Review
The flooding during the summer 2007 saw over 55 000 homes and businesses
flooded, with estimated insurance losses reaching into the billions, this
has been heralded as a wake up call for the UK. A review of the sources and
consequences of the flooding was set up in August 2007 with Sir Michael Pitt
as the independent chair. This review recently published an interim report,
The Pitt Review, making a number of recommendations and conclusions.
The preparation of the report included evidence from members of the public and those organisations involved in the flooding. The report highlights some key areas that need actions to be taken forward.
Government's new water strategy for England
On 7 February 2008, Defra published Future Water, the Government's
new water strategy for England, which sets out a vision for how this resource
should be managed in 2030. The bulk of the document focuses on the Government's
achievements to date with regard to demand and supply, environmental water
quality, surface drainage, flooding, greenhouse gas emissions, water charging
and the regulatory framework. The more strategic aspects feature at the end
of the document, consisting of the 2030 vision and a summary of actions, many
of which involve government policy reviews.
It is clear that the strategy has been written with the recent water-related events in mind: the drought of 2006 and flooding of 2007.
Development of the site environmental good practice
network
The construction industry is coming under increasing pressure to
ensure its activities have reduced impact on the environment. Pressure is
being applied not only by legislators, environmental watchdogs, other businesses
and residents, but also by clients keen to enhance or improve their environmental
performance. The incentives for good environmental practice are financial
as well as environmental, and definitive guidance on how to go beyond compliance
to good practice is vital.
Engage with SHINE
SHINE is a learning network for sustainable healthcare buildings.
SHINE aims to help NHS Trusts improve the sustainability performance of new
buildings through a network of guidance, education and support. The network
is in its second year and encourages active participation by Trusts and members
so that it can continue to grow and develop over the next few years.
Site Waste Management Plans
After much discussion and consultation, the Site Waste Management
Plans (SWMP) are set to become a legal requirement from 6 April 2008. First
introduced as a voluntary Code of Practice (CoP) in 2004, Site Waste Management
Plans will now become compulsory for all construction projects over £300,000.
Forthcoming CIEF events
There are a number of events planned for the near future. For a full
list of events and further onformation please visit our events page on our
website at www.cief.org.uk/events.htm
Other events planned
Planned site visit
New members
CIEF is pleased to welcome the following new members:
Results of CIEF survey January 2008
In a recent CIEF survey, members were asked a series of questions regarding the quality of events, what they would like to see in future events and how they can contribute.
To view the survey results, please click here.
If you would like to contribute to this survey, please click here.
Would you like to contribute to the next CIEF bulletin?
We would like to offer the opportunity for all members of CIEF to contribute to the next bulletin. Any articles relating to sustainability in the built environment will be welcomed. There is no limit to the topics you may wish to approach. Features submitted could include recent research, case studies or general developments in sustainable construction.
Having seen previous CIEF articles you may wish to highlight work you have been conducting in a similar area or something completely different. Or you may wish to submit a piece that can be used to open up a debate – the choice is yours.
If you wish to submit an article or discuss further, please Steve Wheeler on 020 7549 3300, or email: steven.wheeler@ciria.org
Opportunity to contribute to an EIA/EMS research project
The University of Hertfordshire is carrying out research as part of the UK’s contribution to the International Association for Impact Assessment’s update study of Environmental Assessment Effectiveness.
CIEF members have the opportunity to contribute good practice case studies to this work. In particular, the university is seeking examples of where links have been made between Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS), perhaps resulting in better decision-making or environmental protection. For example, compliance with the mitigation measures proposed during the EIA for a new development might have been managed within the contractor's EMS during construction, perhaps through the register of aspects and impacts or monitoring programme.
If you feel that linking the EIA and EMS has been overlooked or posed difficulties, the EIA and EMS would be interested to hear from your experiences.
To discuss this further or for more information, please contact Lisa Palframan (Lecturer in Environmental Management) on 01707 286364, or email: l.palframan@herts.ac.uk
The last date for members to contribute is Monday 23 June 2008.
May 2008
CIRIA and LivingRoofs.org, with support from the Greater London Authority,
the European Green Roofs Federation, International Green Roof Association
GRHC, CIWEM and Allen & Overy LLP will be delivering the WGRC on 17- 18
September 2008, London.
The Congress brings together leading green roof experts, providing a platform for communicating inspirational case studies, research and policy initiatives. This exciting and respected Congress promotes the implementation of green roofs highlighting a greater understanding of their benefits while stimulating innovation.
Objectives
The primary objective is to share and disseminate good practice,
and demonstrate the implementation of green roofs and their contribution to
sustainability. Specific objectives are to:
-
disseminate knowledge and best practice on green roof implementation
- showcase the contribution green roofs can make to sustainable urban regeneration and climate change adaptation
- inspire those within the built environment sector to implement green roofs wherever practical
- provide a forum for all stakeholders to discuss and drive the implementation of green roofs.
For further details and to register for this event, please click here.
Relevant publications
Building greener.
Guidance on the use of green roofs, green walls and complementary features
on buildings (C644). Short listed for the RIBA Sir
Robert McAlpine International Book Award for Construction.
This guidance results from a detailed assessment of published information on green roof and walls, and provides guidance on their design, construction and operation. The guidance also describes how quick wins for biodiversity can be achieved in the built environment by incorporating nesting and roosting boxes for birds, bats and other animals.
To order a copy click here.
2008 Training courses
CIRIA's
successful training programme continues to grow in diversity. The remaining
courses for this year are:
Working with wildlife
16 June 2008, Bristol
13 October 2008, Manchester
Environmental good practice on site
22 September 2008, London
10 November 2008, Manchester
Introduction to the new CDM2007 regulations for designers
10 June 2008, Leeds
16 September 2008,
Edinburgh
22 October 2008, London
27 November 2008,
Birmingham
Introduction to SUDS
3 July 2008, Bristol
30 September 2008, London
4 November 2008, Edinburgh
Designing SUDS
15/16 July 2008, Bristol
7/8 October 2008, London
11/12 November 2008, Edinburgh
Click here for further details and to book your place on any of the courses listed above.
May 2008
Helpline offers guidance to construction businesses in the south
east
On 14 January 2008, NetRegs launched a new telephone helpline offering
construction businesses in the south east guidance on environmental law.
NetRegs has chosen the south east to trial the new helpline in response to research that revealed almost 50 per cent of the respondents in the construction industry would prefer to contact a helpline to obtain environmental information or guidance. Almost a third of construction businesses questioned didn't have access to the internet while at work.
Construction businesses will be able to obtain guidance on legislation such as Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) which are expected to become a legal requirement in England from April 2008 affecting all construction projects with a value in excess of £250 000.
The helpline (0845 601 22 33) is open between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm, and will help construction businesses comply with legislation and protect their business reputation.
The NetRegs website www.netregs.gov.uk currently offers free online guidance on environmental legislation to SMEs in the UK:
NetRegs provides free and confidential guidance to SMEs in the UK, which is available without the need to register.
Newzeye events
CIEF is supporting three events organised by Newzeye on:
CIEF members will be eligible for discounted tickets. For full details and
to register please
click here.
£400 million for low-carbon Britain. Defra
announces 2008/09 budget settlement
Setting out details of Defra’s 2008/09 budget settlement, Hilary
Benn has announced an increase in funding for clean energy technologies, investments
and enterprises to over £400m over the next three years. For more details
please click here.
Carbon capture and storage: EU proposes a new regulatory framework
Following the 2007 amendments to the OSPAR Convention to allow for
the storage of carbon dioxide in geological formations under the seabed, the
EU Commission has issued a proposal for a directive to regulate the geological
storage of carbon dioxide in the EU, also known as carbon capture and storage
(CCS). For more details please click
here.
MEPs to renew demands for European-wide
recycling targets
European environment ministers will have to agree to EU-wide waste
prevention and recycling targets if they want MEPs to support energy-from-waste
provisions under the new EU Waste Directive. For more details please click
here.
Adapting existing homes for climate change impacts
Arup has recently completed a report for the Three Regions Climate Change Group entitled Your home in a changing climate, assessing both technical options and policy requirements to adapt existing homes. The report is available at: www.london.gov.uk/trccg/publications.jsp
Sustainability - give the Code teeth
The Code for Sustainable Homes, a new national standard
for sustainable design and construction of housing, is designed to drive a
step-change in sustainable home building practice. For more details please
click here.
Green housing plans will fail without more regulation, developers
warn
Shortages of environmentally-friendly building materials and skilled
labour will undermine the government' s drive for low- and zero-carbon homes
over the next decade, a report has warned. For more details please click
here.
Guide to help green construction
Demand for greener construction materials has been growing, but until
now developers and builders have not been able to ensure the credibility of
the recycled material they have purchased. For more details please click
here.
Sustainable energy at heart of Olympic Park power plans
The latest designs for the Olympic Park Energy Centre have been unveiled
by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). Sustainable energy and green fuels
are at the forefront of the plans to power the Olympic Park during the London
2012 Games and its legacy. For more details please click
here.
National Trust flags zero carbon concerns
The National Trust has waded into the debate over zero carbon construction
homes, calling for clearer leadership from the government and highlighting
the need for home grown products. For more details please click
here.
Whole-life costs - concrete vs steel
What are the environmental, capital and lifetime cost differences
between a building with a steel frame and one built using concrete? For more
details please click
here.
EU needs recycling targets to tackle climate change
A new European study based on a WRAP report has said that setting
recycling targets can contribute in fighting climate change. For more details
please click
here.
Action must follow words to avoid future flood devastation, experts
warn
January's severe flooding has once again highlighted the weaknesses
in Britain's surface water drainage infrastructure and the need for a strategic
Government commitment to plan and invest to avoid future devastation, experts
are warning. The New Year onslaught came with 2007's summer floods still fresh
in the memory, two thirds of which are reported to have been caused by surface
water. For more details please click
here.
May 2008
On 14 January, NetRegs launched a new telephone helpline, offering construction businesses in the South East guidance on environmental law.
To take advantage of this service, call 0845 601 22 33 between 9am and 5pm. It could help you comply with legislation and protect your business reputation.
January 2008
For many parts of the UK coastline, defences will need to be maintained indefinitely. There is now public awareness that, in other areas, there will be some form of withdrawal. The major challenge for coastal engineering professionals is to communicate to the public the ways in which coastal defence strategies must adapt to these changing circumstances.
The CIEF event, Sustainability in coastal defence held on the 4 October 2007 looked at some of the issues associated with coastal management and the sustainability of some of the current techniques used. Topics covered included the use of these techniques as coastal defences, but also looked at:
The event brought a diverse group of stakeholders together, ranging from The Crown Estate and Local Authority representatives, to developers and members of the dredging community. This led to an interesting closing discussion which looked at issues such as community engagement with shoreline management plans, and the potential changes to funding streams for maintenance and other works on the coast. If you would like to read the full event report please visit the CIEF website downloads page.
November 2007
The ENGAGE website was developed to complement CIRIA's guidance ENGAGE. How to deliver socially responsible construction - a client's guide (C627). The website covers a number of social issues, including why it pays to consider social responsibility, such as:
The site also includes ENGAGE-CONSTRUCT Navigator, which contains practical guidance on how to be a socially responsible client, which allows tailoring for specific construction projects (e.g. transport, commercial buildings, and public realm); and is specific to different project phases (e.g. need and feasibility, planning, implementation, operation and maintenance).
All previous restrictions to the website have now been removed. We recommend you access the website and see the benefits for yourself.
To help support clients, planners, designers etc. there are two forthcoming CIEF events – Designing the way to improved health & wellbeing 5 December (London) and 12 December (Manchester).
November 2007
Local Authorities (LAs) have a key role in implementing flood risk management and facilitating improvements in surface water management. However, it’s well documented that they are challenged by stretched resources and some authorities face real difficulties in improving flood risk management due to a shortage of skills.
As a result, CIRIA, with support from the Environment Agency and Mouchel, launched the Local Authority Network on Drainage and Flood Risk Management (LANDFORM). The network, which is FREE to join, aims to increase awareness and understanding of flood risk management and sustainable drainage by disseminating good practice, research and policy to planners and operational staff within LAs. Central to this process is the need to facilitate two-way communication between individual LAs and with other stakeholders.
The network hosts a website portal which includes information on technical and regulatory aspects of flood risk management as well as an electronic discussion forum.
Furthermore, LANDFORM will run a series of seminars providing an opportunity to disseminate good practice. The first seminar Delivering sustainable drainage on the ground, held on September 20, (supported by Interpave and The Concrete Centre) discussed the approaches used by Oxfordshire County Council to deliver SUDS and explained how they overcame common challenges, particularly those surrounding adoption. The seminar was well attended and the event report and presentations can be found on the LANDFORM website.
November 2007
Construction activities will always have an impact on the surrounding environment and neighbours. The challenge is therefore to effectively manage these impacts in a positive and sustainable manner through good environmental practice.
Clients, their professional advisors, contractors and the whole construction supply chain, all have a role to play in meeting these challenges as the construction industry continues to cause more water pollution incidents than any other, and is responsible for high levels of waste – about one third of landfill waste and 13% of all raw materials used in the UK.
To tackle these challenges, CIRIA published the ‘Environmental good practice site guide’ and associated pocket handbook ‘Environmental good practice’ – second edition published in 2005.
These publications contain very useful information, but there is a need to update the content in light of recent and forthcoming changes in legislation (for example the Water Framework Directive and Site Waste Management Plans) and best practice.
CIRIA is currently looking to identify project partners, funders and potential research contractors to help update the guidance to continue to provide up-to-date, practical guidance on how to most effectively manage environmental issues that are relevant to work undertaken on site.
For further information on the project, to discuss involvement or to express interest in becoming the research contractor; please contact Philip Charles on: 020 7549 3325; or email: philip.charles@ciria.org.
November 2007
The Government’s draft strategy for sustainable construction (consultation ended 30 November, 2007) aims to provide a catalyst for sustainability in procurement, design, construction and operation of all built assets. The strategy extends to the way the construction industry and its clients, both public and private sector operate.
Since the strategy sets a platform for progression and development of sustainable construction practices, it was important that the industry used this opportunity to comment on issues that could affect its future. For that reason, CIEF worked in collaboration with the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to run a consultation workshop.
CIEF consultation workshop
The workshop engaged with private sector contractors, clients and those with experience of private sector construction. The workshop focused on two key areas of the strategy; namely: Procurement and Design. This was an area identified by BERR where there was a limited response from the private sector.
The workshop provided an opportunity for clients, contractors and industry to express their views on the challenges and opportunities that the strategy brings. This resulted in a joint response to the government’s consultation (report available from the CIEF website downloads page (free to all members).
For the future
It is envisaged that CIEF will run similar events in the future, to gather experience from professionals and encourage comments on government consultations as and when they arise.
November 2007
On the 11 November an event was held in Barclay's HQ to promote the use of green roofs in London. A number of delegates gained an opportunity to visit the 33rd floor (the roof) to witness 400 m2 of green roof, 160 meters above ground level. If you would like to read the full event report please visit the CIEF website downloads page.
November 2007
Try out ActionSustainability's pilot benchmarking tool designed to help you to understand how your procurement compares to the good practice recommended by the Sustainable Procurement Task Force.
For further details on the tool and to test it please click here.
September 2007
Ever wondered what a house built to best practice standards looks like? Visit the Energy Saving Trust’s Best Practice house tool and find out! You can view a range of energy efficiency measures, for both new-build and refurbishment projects, and find out about how to implement them to best practice standards by visiting: www.est.org.uk
March 2007
The guide gives practical advice on all the environmental issues that may affect development sites and uses case studies to highlight examples of where good practice has already been applied. It provides a starting point for managing the environmental and flooding issues affecting a site. It also explains the service the Environment Agency can provide during the planning process: from providing pre-application advice, through to advice on management and maintenance of new environmental features.
The contents of the pack are also available on www.environment-agency.gov.uk/developers. This will be the most up to date version and will include the latest updates and supporting technical guidance.
March 2007
The house-building industry has been challenged to speed up its response to climate change by creating a number of zero and near zero carbon developments. The Carbon Challenge, to be run by English Partnerships, will fast track a number of new communities that combine exceptional environmental performance with quality buildings and high standards of design.
The Carbon Challenge will bring forward several thousand homes across a wide range of sites and each development is likely to contain a minimum of 200 homes. This will ensure a critical mass allowing the installation of shared energy systems and other features that will contribute to a zero or near zero carbon foot print for each settlement. Work will begin on the first sites by summer 2008 with the first completions in spring 2009. Lessons learnt through the building programme, including the supply chain of materials, will be analysed and collated and used to inform future wide-scale carbon neutral development. for further details please click here.
March 2007