NEWS | DIGEST 40 consultancies declare a climate emergency Girls overtake boys in A level science For the first time, more girls took A levels in science subjects than boys this year, according to exam boards in England. Just over 50% of entrants were female, while the proportion of both genders taking science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects rose to an all-time high of 21% of A-level entries up from 19.2% last year. The number of girls taking A level sciences has risen by 10% since 2012, with biology the most popular choice. More girls than boys took chemistry, but boys accounted for 77% of students who studied physics. Maths and computing are also dominated by male students. Signatories have agreed to move towards zero carbon construction More than 40 building services engineering consultancies have signed a climate emergency declaration and pledged to cut the environmental harm caused by engineering activities. Signatories including Aecom, Arup, Atkins, BDP, Buro Happold, Cundall, Elementa, Hilson Moran, Hoare Lea, InTandem, Max Fordham and WSP said the declaration was a significant moment for the construction industry, as well as structural, civil and building services engineering firms and clients. The research and technology exists for us to accelerate transformation now, said BuroHappold partner Mike Cook. What has been lacking is collective will in government and industry. We urgently Engineering T level set up Building services engineering will be offered as a T level from September 2021. Students who achieve the top grade will have the equivalent of three A*s at A level. The two-year qualifications start in England next September and, by 2023, 16 to 19-year-olds will be able to take T levels in 25 subjects. They will be a mix of classroom learning and on the job experience, including a work placement of at least 315 hours. need current best practice to become normal practice. We are committing to strengthen our working practices and to create complete engineering outcomes that deliver more positive impacts on the world around us. The declaration comes after 17 Stirling Prize-winning architects signed the first pledge on behalf of their sector. They have agreed to set new priorities and develop better ways of working, improve the sharing of information and best practice, and move towards zero carbon construction in support of the governments 2050 net zero target. We have passed the point where we can afford to sit on the fence and wait for others, said a Hoare Lea statement. We have to set the pace of change. To sign the declaration, visit www. buildingservicesengineersdeclare.com Off-site build b y d e s i g - a solid base for future developments n SUITABLE FOR 18TH EDITION INSTALLATIONS Register FREE to join our live CPD webinar Thursday 19 September 2019 | 13.00 BST Three simple steps to better cable management... 1 2 3 EASIER TO INSTALL FASTER TO INSTALL FEWER COMPONENTS SIGN UP NOW http://bit.ly/cibsewebinars Brought to you by: For more ways to ensure faster fitting, visit www.legrand.co.uk CIBSE JOURNAL 12 September 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Sep19 pp12 News.indd 12 23/08/2019 15:06