Sustainability
Data Centres and Sustainability: How Can We Balance Demand with Environmental Targets?
In continuation of G&T's commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), we collaborated with Bisnow to host the webinar 'Data Centres and Sustainability: Balancing Demand with Environmental Targets'.
By Adam Thurley
Construction Materials Technologies: Old Materials, New Approaches
The construction industry, long known for its resilience and adaptability, is undergoing a profound transformation thanks to the latest advancements in construction materials technologies. These innovations are not only enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of construction projects but also revolutionising the very foundations of how we build our world.
By Michael Urie
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Decarbonising the Built Environment – EPC, MEES and the Cost Implications
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
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The Growth of Plant-Based Materials
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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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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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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How to attract tenants through community-led spaces – a tenant’s perspective
How to attract tenants through community-led spaces – a tenant’s perspective
In a world where hybrid working and work-from-home practices are now the norm, office space can no longer be just a place of work. With companies taking greater consideration of their employees’ wellbeing and mental health whilst seeking to attract the best talent, the office must provide a highly engaging social environment. Across the market, there is shift in the mix of tenants that landlords are bringing into their buildings.
By Laura Mazzeo
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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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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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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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Hydrogen: The Future Fuel for Net Zero Ambitions
Hydrogen: The Future Fuel for Net Zero Ambitions
In November 2020, the Government published a 10 point plan, laying the foundations to help reach its target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It is their vision to build back better, support green jobs and accelerate towards a net zero Britain.
By James Seymour
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The 10 Point Plan: A Summary
The 10 Point Plan: A Summary
The built environment plays a critical role in advancing the climate agenda and so it is up to us, as professionals in the industry, to challenge ourselves and answer the call of necessity. Back in November 2020, the Government set out its ‘Ten Point Plan for Green Industrial Revolution’ – a plan that lays the foundations for the UK to become “cleaner, greener and more beautiful” as well as a global leader in green technologies and finance.
By Michael Urie