Newsletter #52
Mitsubishi Electric Living Environmental Systems UK
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation and Controls
In this edition, we spotlight Mitsubishi Electric’s new guide on heating efficiency for air and water source heat pumps, aiming to enhance understanding and application of these systems. We also reflect on COP29’s outcomes, asking whether the summit in Baku lived up to its promise as a driver for global climate finance.
In the wider industry, sustainability remains a focal point, from the low-carbon retrofit of the iconic Space House to the evolving concept of material circularity in construction. The UK construction sector is seeing a surge in confidence, with a 16.5% rise in new orders and Prime Minister Keir Starmer doubling down on ambitious infrastructure and housing targets. Meanwhile, debates about demolition versus retrofit, such as the contentious decision to redevelop M&S Marble Arch, underline the complexities of sustainable building practices.
We also explore the critical role of building services professionals in tripling decarbonisation efforts and the UKGBC’s response to proposed reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings framework. Join us as we navigate the latest insights, challenges, and innovations shaping a more sustainable future.
As we approach the end of the year, Dan Smith also reflects on the major developments in sustainability and construction that have shaped 2024.
Latest Mitsubishi Electric News:
Following the launch of our latest guide, 'Efficiency Test Standards Overview', Chris Newman took to The Hub to share key insights into efficiency standards for HVAC systems and how they impact your building's performance. Understanding these standards isn't just about compliance—it's about saving energy, reducing costs, and supporting a greener future.
Editor of Refurb Projects, Carole Titmuss looks at how the removal of gas boilers is helping Bournemouth University and its decarbonisation plans.
As the curtain comes down on the Azerbaijan date of the COP show world tour, Jim McClelland asks: Did it deliver for the climate; and is it still a driver for global finance?
Latest Industry News:
Marks & Spencer has been granted permission to demolish its 94-year-old flagship store at Marble Arch in Central London, after a four-year planning row centred around the argument that the building should have been retrofitted instead.
The UK construction sector is experiencing a resurgence in confidence, primarily driven by a 16.5% increase in new orders recorded in the second quarter of 2024.
Constrained by the rigid concrete frame of the Grade II-listed Space House, Atelier Ten had to work creatively to accommodate low carbon MEP systems in the iconic office’s recent refurbishment. Andy Pearson looks at the solutions.
Prime minister Keir Starmer is now promising 150 major infrastructure project approvals on top of the 1.5 million new homes that he intends to see built by August 2029.
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Decarbonisation efforts must be tripled, building service and construction professionals were told at a Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) event.
Simon McWhirter, deputy CEO of the UKGBC, responds to the government's consultation on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) framework.
As the construction industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, understanding material circularity emerges as a pivotal concept in reimagining sustainable building practices.
Seasons Greetings from Mitsubishi Electric
Dear Subscribers,
As 2024 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you for being an integral part of the Sustainability & Construction Newsletter community. Your engagement, passion, and commitment to driving meaningful change inspire every word we collate and every idea we share. Together, we’ve explored critical topics, celebrated successes, and confronted the challenges facing our industry as we strive toward a sustainable future.
Highlights of 2024
This year has been a landmark one for sustainability in construction. Among the standout moments was the advancement of the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard. This groundbreaking initiative has set a clear framework for our industry to align with science-based targets and decarbonise our built environment. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when stakeholders collaborate with urgency and determination.
We also spotlighted innovations in green materials, adaptive reuse, and energy-efficient design, alongside transformative models reshaping how sustainability is integrated into construction projects globally. These steps forward remind us of the power of innovation and collective action.
The Work Ahead
While there’s much to celebrate, we must remain clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. Global emissions remain stubbornly high, and the climate crisis’ impacts are becoming increasingly evident. The mountain we must climb is steep, but not insurmountable. Achieving net zero and building resilient, regenerative communities requires sustained commitment, systemic change, and immediate action.
Each of us has a role to play, whether as designers, builders, policymakers, or advocates. The urgency of our mission cannot be overstated—every project, policy, and decision matters.
Season’s Greetings and Looking Ahead
As we pause to reflect and celebrate during this holiday season, let’s also renew our dedication to the journey ahead. May this time bring you peace, joy, and a sense of purpose as we prepare to tackle 2025 with even greater resolve.
Thank you for being a subscriber of this community and for your unwavering commitment to sustainability in construction. Here’s to a brighter, greener future—built together.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a restful holiday season, and a prosperous New Year.
Warm regards,
Dan Smith. National Sustainability and Construction Manager.
We hope you've found the content of this newsletter useful and relevant. In each edition, we'll focus on bringing you the latest news and topics around sustainability and construction. If there are any news articles you would like us to feature, or if you would like to be a guest contributor for Construction Voices, please get in touch with us.
Find out more about our new Sustainability and Construction team here.