http://www.gc-abs.co.uk Green Construction Abstracts | Green building and sustainable development news for the UK construction industry. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 Green Construction 2008 GCA. All rights reserved. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/29/new-houses-carbon-emission-targets-reduced One of the UK's most radical environmental policies, requiring all new homes from 2016 to be zero carbon, is set to be scaled back amid pressure from the housebuilding industry and the Home Builders Federation. 29 Aug 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/news/insurers-call-for-urgent-probe-into-timber-frame-fire-risk/5004700.article Fire safety experts have called for an investigation into government data that provides the first conclusive proof that timber-frame buildings suffer more damage than other kinds of structure in a fire. 27 Aug 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/news/up-to-2400-fewer-homes-a-year-under-london-guide/5004733.article New housing design standards for London could reduce the number of homes built in the capital by more than 2,400 a year, according to the London Development Agency (LDA). However, the guide is more likely to mean between 240 and 1,220 fewer homes per year. 27 Aug 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/08-24.htm The Low Carbon Housing Refurbishment course, at University College Dublin, aims to give building and housing professionals considering refurbishment projects the knowhow to cut carbon dioxide emissions and fuel bills cost-effectively. 24 Aug 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/08-23.htm A new iPhone application aimed at creating cleaner building sites and saving contractors money has recently been launched. 23 Aug 2010 News http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=18589 The docklands of the Wirral Peninsula will be regenerated over 30 years after the largest ever UK planning application was given the go ahead. 23 Aug 2010 News http://www.newbuilder.co.uk/news/newsFullStory.asp?ID=2876 Nick Clegg was says the new Green Deal could save millions of households up to £550 a year by providing them with upfront finance for energy-saving measures. 23 Aug 2010 News http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cif-green/2010/aug/22/global-resources-deficit-land-water-oil On Saturday 21 August, the world as a whole went into ecological debt. In effect, until the end of the year, humanity will be consuming more natural resources and producing more waste than the forests, fields and fisheries of the world can replace and absorb. 22 Aug 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/news/energy/largest-ever-tidal-turbine-unveiled-in-scotland/8604736.article The AK1000, developed by Atlantis Resources Corporation, was shown off at Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth before it is installed in a dedicated berth at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) later this year. 13 Aug 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/08-12.htm Atkins has been appointed to Wessex Water's workstream framework agreements for the AMP5 investment period, including the water company's largest-ever new mains project, the Water Supply Grid. 12 Aug 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/08-10.htm Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems may cut water use but they come at the cost of greater carbon emissions. Environment Agency research claims that while these systems may reduce water use, in most cases they result in significantly increased carbon emissions. 10 Aug 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/08-06.htm The site, made of three houses and a visitor centre, in Gwent, has been hailed as a unique development. 06 Aug 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/technical/sustainability/brookfield-and-wsp-launch-first-green-retrofit-jv/5003816.article Brookfield, WSP and Woods Bagot have teamed up to create a green retrofitting business that is believed to be the first venture of its kind in the UK. 06 Aug 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/major-projects/london-2012-olympics/2012-games-to-miss-green-energy-target/8604296.article London Assembly members have heard that the target to generate electricity for the Games from renewables is unachievable. 05 Aug 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/08-04.htm Recently published figures on land use endorse the Government's decision to prevent garden grabbing by changing planning policy guidance, according to the DCLG. 04 Aug 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/technical/sustainability/east-anglia%E2%80%99s-green-energy-centre-falls-three-months-behind/5003548.article The University of East Anglia commissioned an “exemplar” biomass energy centre, built by Morgan Sindall. It is now three months late in becoming operational. 30 Jul 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/news/officials-covered-up-%C2%A3705m-part-l-saving/5003504.article Civil servants apparently covered up potential savings of £705 million in order to help former housing minister John Healey justify scrapping proposed changes to the Building Regulations, designed to make existing homes more energy efficient. 30 Jul 2010 News http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/jul/27/decc-carbon-calculator Created under the direction of David Mackay, chief scientific adviser at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the calculator lays out different 'pathways" for how we could meet the target. 27 Jul 2010 News http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2010/jul/27/decc-carbon-calculator Hackers hijacked Europe's carbon-trading website and replaced it with spoof page detailing flaws in cap and trade scheme. 25 Jul 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/07-22.htm DEFRA has announced plans to slash two of its key environmental commissions as part of a reform of 'arm's length bodies'. 22 Jul 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/07-14.htm Solar power and other renewable energies could help provide religious buildings with an extra income, British Gas has suggested on the back of new research. 14 Jul 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/07-13.htm While homes are becoming more energy-efficient, says new research by the Energy Saving Trust, private rented housing stock lags far behind. 13 Jul 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/06-26.htm Guidance has been published covering how, where and when soil excavated from construction sites can be used elsewhere in Northern Ireland. 26 Jun 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/news/rogers-slams-low-density-plans/5001558.article Richard Rogers has hit out at the government’s plans to abolish the requirement to build homes at a minimum density, saying that they would fundamentally damage the prospects of sustainable development. 25 Jun 2010 News http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/26/eu-carbon-trading-website-hacked The government’s decision to put the £1.1 billion A14 road-widening project on hold could scupper a 10,000-home prototype eco-town at Northstowe, along with other major schemes around Cambridge. 25 Jun 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/news/race-begins-to-define-zero-carbon-as-funding-cuts-loom/5001221.article An intensive programme of work has started to finalise a definition of zero carbon homes as quickly as possible, despite last week’s decision by the housing minister to cut funding to the body designed to implement it. 18 Jun 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/news/transport/government-must-act-faster-on-low-carbon-transport/8601279.article Government is burying its head in the sand over the need to develop sustainable transport networks before oil reserves run out, former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King has said. 16 Jun 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=8601505 Deepwater foundations for offshore wind farms must rely on tried and tested solutions from the oil and gas industry, engineers have warned. 16 Jun 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/news/government-to-pull-funding-from-zero-carbon-housing-body/5000839.article Grant Shapps, the housing minister, has signalled his intention to halt government funding for an independent body that was set up to help deliver zero-carbon housing. 11 June 2010 News http://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/market-garden-plans-for-chelsea-barracks/5000949.article Chelsea Barracks will be transformed into a sustainable “market garden” complete with beehives, orchards, vegetable plots and a nuttery, under plans outlined by landscape architect Kim Wilkie. 11 June 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=8600372 Britain could become a net exporter of renewable electricity by 2050 according to new research published last week. Using one third of the country’s maximum renewable energy potential could result in surplus production, said management consultant Boston Consulting Group (BCG). 27 May 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/05-01.htm A new way of storing renewable energy has been developed by a team at Isentropic group, in Cambridge. 01 May 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/news/energy/design-flaw-discovered-in-wind-turbine-towers/5216725.article The problem has hit wind farms across Europe, including UK fleets at Gunfleet Sands off the east coast, and Burbo Bank in Liverpool Bay at the mouth of the River Mersey. 22 Apr 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/news/energy/viridor-seeks-6-energy-from-waste-target-by-2015/5216004.article Viridor has urged the government to aim for at least 6% of its electricity to be generated by recovering energy from waste by 2015 in a bid to encourage investment in new technology. 01 Apr 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/04-01-2.htm The Concrete Society has announced the first annual Concrete Ambassador Lecture tour. Cementing the future of concrete – science and sustainability, is an essential lecture event for all those involved in the industry. 01 Apr 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/04-01-1.htm The new Hydropower opportunities and environmental sensitivities map, commissioned by the Environment Agency, has located around 26,000 locations where a hydropower turbine could theoretically generate green electricity. 01 Apr 2010 Resource http://www.building.co.uk/sustain_story.asp?storycode=3161032 The government is to court sovereign wealth funds and rich foreign investors to pay for much needed UK infrastructure, under plans for a new green investment bank. 01 Apr 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-29.htm The 10:10 climate change campaign has launched its Lighter Later campaign. It wants clocks shifted so that Britons gain an extra hour of daylight in the evenings, all year round. 29 Mar 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-27.htm A Welsh company has developed a house made out of a recycled plastic. Affresol of Swansea has developed the product which uses which uses a patented low energy process to convert waste plastics into strong structural elements. 27 Mar 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-26.htm DCLG has published the Code for Sustainable Homes: cost review, which presents the findings of research in 2009 to update and enhance existing cost data for achieving different performance levels under the Code. 26 Mar 2010 Publications http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-23.htm New proposals to tackle greenwash and build consumer confidence in environmental claims and labelling have been announced by DEFRA. Two consultations have been launched - one aimed at helping consumers identify goods and services that are genuinely better for the environment, and another ensuring that energy-using products meet minimum performance standards and are accurately labelled. 23 Mar 2010 Publications http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-22.htm Recent analysis of power output found that more than 20 wind farms are operating at less than one-fifth of their full capacity. Experts say many turbines are going up on sites that are simply not breezy enough. 22 Mar 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-15-1.htm A new report claims the United Kingdom's 'fixation' on greening it's building stock is not improving the quality of life of workers. 15 Mar 2010 Publications http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-15.htm A new study into declining species reveals many are surviving on Brownfield sites throughout the United Kingdom. 15 Mar 2010 Publications http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3159669 The government has been in talks with German infrastructure bank KfW as it looks for ways to fund the annual cost of greening the UK’s housing stock. That has been estimated at £2 billion a year by the government and up to £15bn a year by the UK Green Building Council. 12 Mar 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-09.htm Two new areas have been added to the list of proposals for a 'second wave' of eco-towns. 09 Mar 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-06.htm A Cardiff construction has been praised after demonstrating the highest environmental score for an office building at design stage. 06 Mar 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3159205 The government has set out a plan to make eco-improvements to 7 million homes by 2020, in a move it says should create 65,000 construction jobs. 05 Mar 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-03.htm A revolutionary new building idea has won a competition for a new construction on one of London's last undeveloped city-centre sites. 03 Mar 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-02-1.htm DEFRA has published a report - Adapting energy, transport and water infrastructure to the long-term impacts of climate change. 02 Mar 2010 Publications http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/03-02.htm Plans for 'green loans' to help householders make their homes more energy efficient by installing technology such as solar panels and insulation have been announced by the Government. 02 Mar 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/02-18-2.htm A new sustainable housing development in Nottingham has started on site thanks to support from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). 18 Feb 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/02-18-1.htm A British firm has announced it will build the world's largest wind turbine in a new factory. The Britannia blade will be developed Clipper Windpower Marine at their new factory, expected to be completed towards the end of 2010. 18 Feb 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/02-18.htm The mobile phone industry needs to lead on fighting climate change, according to consultants Deloitte. As the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona focused on green sustainable futures, Deloitte called on the industry to tackle its emissions. 18 Feb 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/02-15-1.htm Almost half of the vouchers on offer for the Government's boiler scrappage scheme have been taken up. According to the Government 54,758 vouchers have been picked up, leaving around 70,000 vouchers worth a total of £28m still available. 15 Feb 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/02-15.htm European and American scientists have for the first proved a link between pollution and heart disease. Swiss, American and Spanish researchers found particulates from exhaust pipes can lead to the thickening of artery walls - increasing chances of a heart attack or stroke. 15 Feb 2010 Publications http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/02-13.htm The new certification process from Ofgem will create more competition among providers according to one industry member. However, it will also give suppliers a set of guidelines along which they can 'innovate' and produce different tariffs. 13 Feb 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/02-10.htm A new report has been launched, by the DECC, into peak oil. 'The Oil Crunch: A wake up call for the UK Economy' was launched by leading business figures including Sir Richard Branson. 10 Feb 2010 Publications http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3157503 The Conservative party is to put a “presumption in favour of sustainable development” at the heart of its reform of the planning system. The change is likely to make it easier for projects to win planning permission. 05 Feb 2010 News http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3157451 Under plans to reward homeowners who sell energy to power utilities, the Department of Energy and Climate Change this week announced that the price to be paid would be 41p/kWh, a far higher level than expected. 05 Feb 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/news/energy/cash-boost-for-sea-power/5213732.article Plans for the UK to become a world leader in marine and tidal energy technology by 2020 have been boosted after six promising designs were fast-tracked to commercial demonstration. 04 Feb 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/news/energy/governments-microgeneration-cash-back-scheme-slammed/5213657.article Proposals to allow home owners to earn cash from home energy generation by selling it on to the National Grid have been slammed by engineers for offering misleading figures. 04 Feb 2010 News http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storycode=3157036 Recommended in a report from the Zero Carbon Task Force, under the proposals there would be at least one new build and one refurbished primary and secondary school in each region. 29 Jan 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/01-28.htm Wondering what the Carbon Reduction Commitment means for your business? EDIE have got the complete update on the latest developments, direct from the head of CRC at DECC, Carbon Trust, ERM and leading industry and legal experts. 28 Jan 2010 Publications http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/contest-launched-for-green-fortress-to-block-heathrow-expansion/5213460.article Greenpeace has launched a competition to design an eco-fortress on a plot of land, owned by them, on a plot of land earmarked for Heathrow Airport’s third runway. No budget has been set for the winning scheme and the deadline for submissions is 23rd April 2010. 28 Jan 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/major-projects/london-2012-olympics/fury-at-london-2012-plant-emissions/5213402.article The ODA has come under fire from environmentalists and the London mayor for failing to tackle emissions and the non use of vehicle filters on the site. 28 Jan 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/01-21.htm The targets set out by the Climate Change Act will not be met without a major overhaul of the energy consumption of existing buildings. The evidence is staring us in the face - cutting emissions by 80% by 2050 is not attainable without radical measures. 21 Jan 2010 News http://www.nce.co.uk/news/water/new-plan-for-coastal-flooding/5213112.article A new report, by the RIBA and ICE, has examined three innovative approaches to tackling flooding. The three measures discussed in the report Rising sea levels: Retreat, Defend Attack? aims to mitigate the threat of rising sea levels by the end of the century. 21 Jan 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/01-07.htm An industry organisation dedicated to the promotion of green building techniques has teamed up with two academic institutions to deliver training to those wishing to hone their skills and become leader in the field. 07 Jan 2010 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/current.htm Issue No. 189 - November 2009 is now available online from this link 08 Dec 2009 Publications http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/12-06.htm The Met Office national weather service has said it will publish data from weather stations worldwide and has "every confidence" it would show temperatures had risen in the last 150 years. 06 Dec 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/12-03-2.htm A government taskforce set up to stimulate the construction sector will be looking to low carbon building to boost the markets. 03 Dec 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/12-03-1.htm Households will pay upto £500 a year to subsidise wind turbines and tidal power stations by 2025, the energy regulator has warned. 03 Dec 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/12-03.htm New technology will spell the end of estimated billing, save homes money, make energy use more efficient and cut carbon emissions, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change. 03 Dec 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/12-01.htm A survey of the construction industry has shown that a formal Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is seen as potential way to sway developers offering contracts. 01 Dec 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/11-30.htm A total of 6,500 pupils in Newcastle are to benefit from four new eco-friendly school buildings. 30 Nov 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/11-24.htm In a new study, a University of Utah scientist argues that rising carbon dioxide emissions cannot be stabilised unless the world's economy collapses or society builds the equivalent of one new nuclear power plant each day. 24 Nov 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/11-20.htm There is strong public support for green improvement like district heat, vacuum waste disposal and water harvesting, according to a UK Green Building Council (UGBC) poll. 20 Nov 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/11-19.htm Earthscan books is offering a way to brush up on your understanding of climate change before December's COP15 conference. 19 Nov 2009 Resource http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/11-17.htm EU lawmakers have forged a long-awaited compromise on the recast buildings directive, agreeing that all new buildings would have to comply with high energy-performance standards and supply a significant share of their energy requirements from renewable sources after the end of 2020. 17 Nov 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/11-14.htm Scientists at Green World Crete, LLC, a Florida based green materials technology company, have invented a low-carbon emission cementitious product - Geo-Green Crete. 14 Nov 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/10-28.htm Plans are being drafted for a geothermal energy plant to be built at the Eden Project, in Cornwall. 28 Oct 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/10-22.htm Low-tech roof tiles made from hair gel could provide one revolutionary solution to climate change. 22 Oct 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/10-15.htm Hundreds of jobs could be created on Teesside after plans for a new wood-fired biomass power station were given the go-ahead by the local council. 15 Oct 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/10-12.htm Plans are being drafted for a geothermal energy plant in Cornwall to provide electricity and heat for homes and businesses. 12 Oct 2009 News http://www.gc-abs.co.uk/newsRecords/10-11.htm A building firm which set up a website to giveaway its construction waste has seen it become a recycling success. 11 Oct 2009 News