EWS | DIGEST Global group launches cooling challenge The not-for-profit business network Climate Group has launched an initiative to help businesses improve the energy efficiency of their cooling processes and decarbonise air conditioning. The Cooling Challenge was developed in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy, and is part of the international networks EP100 energy productivity campaign. This requires signatories to either double their energy productivity, make their buildings net-zero carbon or implement an energy management system. Each firm that signs up for the challenge will have access to building management technology and advice from Johnson Controls. With electricity demand from air conditioners alone set to more than triple by 2050, companies have an immediate opportunity to invest in energy efficient cooling that will lessen further climate impact and generate substantial financial savings, said the Climate Groups chief executive Helen Clarkson. This is about preparing your business for the future. Industry support for global climate strike Building services engineers join in worldwide day of action Cundall, BurroHappold, Max Fordham, Etude, Inkling and Warm Low Energy Building Practice were among the many building services engineering, consultancy and architecture firms supporting the global climate strike on 20 September. The practices allowed employees to join the day of action, in which millions of people participated around the world. Many from the building services industry met at The Building Centre in Scotlands big plans for low carbon heat All new homes in Scotland must use renewable or low-carbon heat by 2024, under plans unveiled by the Scottish Government. This will be part of a fundamental overhaul of the Building Regulations, aimed at increasing energy efficiency and the efficiency of construction from 2021, supported by a 30m investment in renewable heat projects. This was one of the pledges contained in the SNPs legislative programme for the year, entitled Protecting Scotlands future, which puts the transition to net-zero emissions at the heart of the strategy for the Scottish National Investment Bank. The government also said it would seek to unlock additional resources for projects to cut emissions through a Green Growth Accelerator that will bring forward a 3bn portfolio of projects, including renewables, waste and construction. central London to join the UK Green Buildings Council (UKGBC) on a march to Westminster while, elsewhere in the UK, engineers and consultants from leading firms joined the protests, including Waterman, which joined the protest in Birmingham. Fergus Anderson, senior sustainability consultant at BuroHappold, said: We are joining the climate action in support of the movements aims, and we too have made our own and industry-wide commitments. These declarations acknowledge the twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss as the most serious issues of our time. By taking action we wish to show solidarity and support to those supporting the action, as well as continuing with our own efforts to make meaningful and purposeful progress in this area. Members of Leti were also out in force in London, including CIBSEs current Engineer of the Year Clara Bagenal George. BBP Climate Change Commitment A new initiative by the Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) has seen 23 of the UKs leading commercial property owners sign up to a commitment to tackle the growing risks of climate change through the delivery of net zero carbon real estate portfolios by 2050. The BBP members signing the Climate Change Commitment are responsible for more than 1.2m tonnes of carbon emissions a year. The commitment highlights the need for buildings to be net zero carbon by 2050 and commits signatories to publicly publish their own pathways to achieving this by the end of 2020. Signatories will also report annually on progress and disclose the energy performance of their portfolios. For more details, see bit.ly/CJOct19BBP Coal now accounts for below 1% of all power generated in the UK, according to new data from BEIS. Low-carbon sources now make up more than half of the UKs energy mix. Introducing the Azure R32 range from Airedale International. Ultima R32 (30 - 150kW) DeltaChill R32 (110 - 1100kW) Available now Azure is a range of air conditioning products, specifically developed for use with next generation R32 refrigerant. It is the result of several years of research and development and is part of Airedales on-going strategy to adapt its product portfolio for use with more environmentally friendly refrigerants. www.airedale.com For more information visit airedale.com or call 0113 2391000 8 October 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Oct19 pp08-09 News.indd 8 20/09/2019 16:41