BSRIA at COP26 in GlasgowNovember 2021

The 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) has just started in Glasgow and BSRIA is very excited to engage with this politically and socially important event.

Net Zero Building Centre: a BSRIA and LSBU joint venture

BSRIA and London South Bank University (LSBU) have launched a joint venture called the Net Zero Building Centre (NZBC) to accelerate decarbonisation in the built environment.  We believe that greater communication and collaboration across sectors is essential in combating climate change.  For this reason, on 4th November, the NZBC will be in Glasgow with the COP Universities Network in the Green Zone, COP26 Pavilion.

We have created a range of activities and video presentations to showcase BSRIA and LSBU’s portfolio of work on improving sustainability and performance in buildings.  We will also discuss the vital need for greater capacity across all sectors in developing the green skills needed to address climate change this decade. The NZBC and the Climate Framework Cross-Industry Action Group have created a fun, interactive display including a 'Humanity versus Climate Change' card game. The mix of activities at the booth will aim to engage the visiting public, build interest, and seek involvement with the engineering and construction industry. 

Actuate UK and the Construction Leadership Council Retrofit Strategy

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) will host Actuate UK, the Engineering Services Alliance, in its space in the Green Zone, COP26 Pavilion, on 11th November. BSRIA’s Michelle Agha-Hossein will speak on behalf of the Alliance about the importance of engineering services for the successful retrofit program, urging for the CLC Retrofit Strategy to be adopted as soon as possible.

Retrofit, which embraces an integrated approach to reducing the energy and water needs as well as technical systems delivering them, aims to improve the energy performance of our homes and buildings. It offers environmental benefit of reduced carbon emissions, creating a low-carbon built environment. This lowers energy bills, improves health and wellbeing, and increases the value of the asset.

There are some 28 million homes in the UK of which the vast majority require retrofit improvements. A structured approach is needed to tackle this challenge where quality standards go together with a holistic approach to buildings applied at each stage of the task.Building engineering services are a key enabler for such profound change in buildings, and the industry comes together to guarantee the quality and performance needed to deliver truly meaningful change.