EWS LONDON APPROVES EUROPES LARGEST PASSIVHAUS PROJECT Planners have given the green light for a three-tower student accommodation complex in Londons Canary Wharf, which its developers claim will be the largest Passivhaus development in Europe. The complex, providing 1,672 student beds and 80 residential apartments, is being designed by architect Apt for provider Urbanest. The Passivhaus consultant is Henrikson Studio. It will be located on an empty site at the edge of Canary Wharf, and the proposals were backed by University College London. The developer is aiming for Breeam Outstanding and work is expected to start on-site next year. Rate of climate change accelerating, warns IPCC Latest IPCC report is a reality check for the global community The current rate of global climate change is unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of years according to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Many of the changes are now irreversible and every region is already experiencing the impact of the changes, but strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases could still limit the impact and would also quickly improve air quality. Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis was approved by the IPCCs 195 member governments. It said it could take 20-30 years to see global temperatures stabilise, and that the window of opportunity for limiting global warming to below 2C was closing rapidly. The report concluded that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities were responsible for approximately 1.1C of warming since 1850-1900, and that global temperature would reach or exceed 1.5C of warming in the next 20 years. This report is a reality check, said IPCC Working Group co-chair Valrie MassonDelmotte. We now have a much clearer Net zero homes plan too complicated and confusing picture of the past, present and future climate, which is essential for understanding where we are headed, what can be done, and how we can prepare. The IPCC said that climate change was already intensifying the water cycle, which brings more intense rainfall and associated many regions. It expects more rainfall in high latitudes, but a reduction over large parts of the subtropics. Coastal areas will see continued sea level rises during the 21st century, contributing to coastal cities. Read Julie Godefroy on page 18. Climate change is intensifying the water cycle, bringing Government plans to decarbonise homes are too complicated and confusing, according to a group of consumer and industry groups. In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Citizens Advice, the Federation of Master Builders, the Aldersgate Group and Which? said current schemes to adapt homes often go wrong, and called for more financial support for making changes. The coalition argued that the process of installing low carbon heating and smart technologies, and upgrading insulation, is time consuming, confusing and stressful. It cited the Green Homes Grant, which was scrapped in March this year after reaching just 10% of the houses that the government promised would be improved. To ensure plans to decarbonise homes dont fail, the letter called for: more accessible and unbiased information on steps, including installing low carbon heating and upgrading insulation; fitfor-purpose consumer protections for decarbonising homes; and a comprehensive, long-term policy framework that provides certainty for businesses and consumers, and which offers financial support such as grants, low-cost loans and financing. A government spokesperson said: We are investing 1.3bn this year alone to support people to install energy efficiency measures in their homes, with upgrades to 50,000 low-income households already under way. Our Simple Energy Advice service offers clear information on what financial support is available for people to make home improvements. www.cibsejournal.com September 2021 7 CIBSE Sep 21 pp07 News.indd 7 27/08/2021 09:11