Net Zero Carbon
Decarbonising the Built Environment – EPC, MEES and the Cost Implications
Since its introduction in 2007, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has been the main method of assessing the energy efficiency of buildings in the UK. The Government has recently revisited the EPC requirements, seeking to update them and make them more stringent. Currently, proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) legislation mandates a phased implementation of the EPC B by 2030 requirement, with EPC C by 2027 set as an interim milestone for all commercial non-domestic buildings.
By Richard Francis
The Growth of Plant-Based Materials
In this series of articles, we first set out the plant-based model and how its principles can be applied to both the construction and operation of buildings. We believe successful plant-based materials will mimic the qualities of conventional products (in terms of strength, functionality, etc) while providing sustainable benefits. Over time, as sustainability concerns mount, they will become increasingly attractive, not as alternatives but as products of choice.
By Richard Francis
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Supply Chain Visibility: Driving Your ESG Goals
Supply Chain Visibility: Driving Your ESG Goals
G&T is working with Bisnow to deliver a webinar series that explores Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) in construction.
By Nicky Wright
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Carbon Capture Storage – “A Necessity, Not an Option” in UK’s Transition to Net Zero
Carbon Capture Storage – “A Necessity, Not an Option” in UK’s Transition to Net Zero
To achieve net zero emissions, industry - the biggest source of greenhouse gases - needs to rapidly scale up its use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. CCS has been deemed a “necessity, not an option” by climate change experts for the UK to deliver net zero emissions. So far, the deployment of CCS has been slow and uneven, but there are signs of acceleration.
By Michael Urie
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Healthy Buildings and the Plant-Based Model
Healthy Buildings and the Plant-Based Model
In this article, we will explore how natural and plant-based materials assist human health and wellbeing. In addition, we will suggest how plant-based processes (sequestering carbon, removing toxins from the air, conserving water, biodegrading naturally, etc.) represent the future playbook of an effective ESG strategy.
By Richard Francis
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New Recommendations for London's Sustainable Skyline
New Recommendations for London's Sustainable Skyline
After a year of evidence gathering, the City of London’s Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce has launched its recommendations report – highlighting the need for direct action to ensure Central London has a globally competitive sustainable commercial built environment.
By Matthias Holman
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Plant-Based Places: Net Zero and the Plant-Based Model
Plant-Based Places: Net Zero and the Plant-Based Model
The drive for net zero carbon in construction and real estate represents an unparalleled development in the history of green buildings. There has been a fundamental shift in how we understand carbon emissions and the evolving and expanding definition of net zero carbon exemplifies this change.
By Richard Francis
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Plant-Based Places: Emerging Products and Principles
Plant-Based Places: Emerging Products and Principles
The rise of ESG and net zero carbon has greatly increased our industry’s appetite for innovation and new thinking. After three decades of relative stability (characterised by green building certifications and regulations) there is now an emerging drive to deliver buildings that better appeal to a wider, more sustainably savvy audience.
By Richard Francis
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Is CAT A Sustainable For A Low-Carbon Future?
Is CAT A Sustainable For A Low-Carbon Future?
Rob Webber, G&T partner, moderated this webinar and debated with fellow panellists about the future of fit-out and whether the considerations of landlords are changing, as the pressure to achieve net zero increases. Listen in to find out the latest market trends and thoughts from the industry on what the future for CAT A might look like, as well as the carbon considerations associated with CAT A installations and ways these can measured.
By Rob Webber
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Net Zero and the Built Environment: Where Does It Go From Here?
Net Zero and the Built Environment: Where Does It Go From Here?
It is hard to underestimate the changes we have seen in the last five years with the creation of net zero carbon frameworks and the growth of ESG. Arising at the same time, net zero carbon and ESG more broadly have begun to fundamentally alter the construction and operation of buildings.
By Richard Francis
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Planning for Hydrogen Delivery: Getting Airports Ready
Planning for Hydrogen Delivery: Getting Airports Ready
Airport infrastructure would need to integrate within a (potentially national) hydrogen supply network requiring significant infrastructure development and investment in clean energy production.
By Jason Fowler
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Existing Buildings and Carbon Performance: Managing the Opportunities.
Existing Buildings and Carbon Performance: Managing the Opportunities.
Much of the current discussion around net zero carbon tends to focus on new buildings. It involves questions of how to lower embodied carbon, incorporate new materials, integrate on-site renewables and so on. These issues are certainly important and need answers, but they can also obscure the importance of existing buildings.
By Richard Francis
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Sustainable Aviation: Could Hydrogen be a Solution?
Sustainable Aviation: Could Hydrogen be a Solution?
With increasing fuel prices and climate change rising rapidly up the agenda, the aviation industry is having to look at life after fossil fuels.
By Michael Urie
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G&T’s Thought Leadership Round-Up: 2022
G&T’s Thought Leadership Round-Up: 2022
After a confluence of unexpected and, in some cases, unprecedented shocks to the global economy, 2022 has been fraught with challenges and creeping uncertainty. As the year draws to a close, we look back at some of the key articles G&T has published throughout this fast-paced and turbulent year, highlighting some of the more positive developments and take-aways.
By Michael Urie
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Net Zero Aviation: Preparing the Infrastructure for Take-Off
Net Zero Aviation: Preparing the Infrastructure for Take-Off
In 2021, the UK aviation industry made a commitment to be net zero carbon by 2050 . The challenge ahead is immense but with credible plans in place, the industry hopes the target can be delivered with the right support.
By Michael Urie
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New Buildings and Net Zero: Embodied Carbon is the Next Battleground
New Buildings and Net Zero: Embodied Carbon is the Next Battleground
With net zero carbon, it is critical to remember that operational carbon emissions (those that come from running the building) are only a part of the story. It is increasingly evident that other elements of the building cycle, particularly embodied or construction carbon, are a significant component of a building’s whole life carbon profile. For new buildings seeking to be net zero, reducing embodied carbon is perhaps the biggest challenge.
By Richard Francis
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How to become a net zero carbon company
How to become a net zero carbon company
From entire economies (such as the UK’s commitment to be net zero by 2050) to the construction of a single building, the concept of net zero has proven highly adaptive to different units of analysis. In this article we look at what it takes to be a “net zero carbon company” and use our experience as an example.
By Richard Francis
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How Net Zero Carbon is Transforming Regulation and Markets
How Net Zero Carbon is Transforming Regulation and Markets
The growth of the net zero carbon agenda worldwide is changing the global approach to regulations and standards. In this article we will look at how regulation is changing the reporting landscape and consider the direction of travel, outlining what needs measuring and why.
By Richard Francis
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The Future of the Office: Drivers for Change
The Future of the Office: Drivers for Change
Office space has had to adapt and evolve throughout the decades and never more so than following the events of the last two years. G&T’s expertise in the central London office market working with both developers, funders and end users has provided key insights to the trends that are becoming drivers for change to the future of the office.
By Stuart Le Boutillier
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What is your Carbon Strategy?
What is your Carbon Strategy?
In the last 10 years more than 2/3 of countries worldwide have adopted net zero carbon (NZC) commitments, with dozens implementing new regulation to reinforce these commitments, with at least a fifth of the world’s leading companies and a third of the UK’s biggest companies committed to net zero carbon targets. And this is just the beginning.
By Richard Francis
