MONTHLY MONTHLY
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HELLO! WELCOME TO THE MAY ISSUE OF SUSTAINABUILD MONTHLY
Matt Colgan, Director of Sustainabuild
Discussions also covered design processes that facilitate this transition, including waste reduction, adaptability, and the efficient use of natural and recycled materials throughout a building's lifecycle. These insights provide a framework for professionals in the construction sector to adopt more sustainable practices and contribute to the broader goal of a zero-waste, circular economy
During our April Breakfast Club in Edinburgh, speakers emphasised the significant potential for greater adoption of circular economy principles to drastically reduce consumption and waste in construction. The focus was on keeping resources in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value during their lifecycle, and recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of each service life. Zero Waste Scotland highlighted the crucial role of partnerships, policy support, and community engagement in transitioning to a circular economy.
Looking ahead, we ' re excited to take our Breakfast Club on the road. Join us in Dundee on May 14th for 'Building for Net Zero,' Glasgow on May 30th for 'Decarbonising Heat in Buildings,' and again in Glasgow on June 19th for 'Retrofitting for Net Zero ' In between, we'll host our first 'Sustainabuild In The Evening' (SITE) Networking Drinks sponsored by SWECO in Edinburgh on May 23rd. For more details on our upcoming events, keep an eye on our LinkedIn page and event listing pages on our website
If your business is passionate about decarbonising the built environment and wishes to be at the forefront of our community as a Sustainabuild Partner, please do get in touch via email: matt@cognitionevents.co.uk.
GOOD NEWS
Naturehasbecomeanofficial Spotifyartisttoraisemoneyfor conservation.
Youcannowlistento‘Nature’onallmajormusic streaming platforms. A new initiative will recognise nature as an official artist meaning singers, songwriters and bands who use these sounds can choose to add it as a featured artist Some of their profits from streaming platformslikeSpotifyandAppleMusicwillthen besharedwithenvironmentalcauses
Solarbalconiesbooming inGermany.
More than 400,000 plug-in solar systems have been installed in Germany, most of them taking up a seamless spot on people’s balconies. New data shows at least 50,000 of the PV devices wereaddedinthefirstquarterof2024alone A boom born from Germany’s “very strong solar culture”,inthewordsofoneexpert
Greecebansbottomtrawlingin marineprotectedareas.
Greece will ban bottom trawling in all of its marineprotectedareas(MPAs)by2030,Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced.Thecountryalsoaimstocreatetwo large marine parks as part of a €780 million program to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems
IN FOCUS: MICHELIN SCOTLAND INNOVATION PARC DUNDEE
The new £5 million Innovation Hub at Dundee’s Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) has been built with carbon footprint in mind.
The facility, which opened last year, was created with a Glulam and cross laminated timber (CLT) structure rather than a conventional steel construction – saving an estimated 715 tonnes of carbon dioxide
Both materials used are a natural alternative to steel, concrete, and plasterboard, and are manufactured offsite to precise size specifications, resulting in ‘very little to no’ waste in the construction phase.
der MSIP is a joint venture between , Dundee City Council, and Scottish se Described as a ‘world class’ on park for sustainable mobility and onisation, the project aims to drive and diversity in the Scottish economy addressing the global climate ncy
ovation Hub is located at the main e of the park and offers space to and drive collaboration and on. Core facilities include co-working flexible meeting and events space, abs and a range of business support
DID YOU KNOW THAT..
Recycling a single plastic bottle will save enough energy to power a lightbulb for three hours or more. (RecyclingBins.co.uk)
ECO INSIGHT MAT ILIC
Eco Expert: Mat Ilic, Co-founder and CEO of Greenworkx - an education tech (edtech) start-up that aims to tackle the green skills emergency.
Tellusaboutyourrole.
Ico-foundedGreenworkxin2022,tosolvetheskills emergencyinourtransitiontoalowercarbon reality Ourmissionistopower10millionpeoplein greenjobsinthenextdecade Itisexpected globallyweneed30millionmoregreenskillsby 2030todeliverourlowcarbonfuture.
Talkusthroughwhatyouareseeing?
Thedaytodayofaconstructionworkerhas changed Ithasbecomelessfocusedonthebricks andlabouringandisincreasinglymoreskilledand technologydriven IntheUKalone,wearetalking abouthalfamillionjobsifwearelookingtotakethe carbonoutofourresidentialstock(accordingto TheConstructionLeadershipCouncil)
There’salackofdiversitycomingthroughthe industry.Howcanthisbeaddressedandthe narrativeshiftedaroundtheconstruction industry?
Thelackofdiversityisaproblemthathasbeen manyyearsinthemaking Youhavetothink differentlywhenitcomestohiringandcan’tleaveit tomarketandexpectpeopletoapply Theymight notbeawareofthejob,ortheymighthave misconceptions,thereforewehavetogetupstream andtrulyunderstandhowtoeliminatethose frictionsandbarriers.
Howdoweexpecttheindustrytorespondtoour netzeroambitionsoverthecomingyears?
There’saquietrevolutionunderway Bigger companiesplayasignificantroleinraisingthebar andsettingthestandardbutthere’salso
atremendousopportunityforsmallercompanies todrivechange.Weneedtonudgepeopleinto makingbraverdecisions,butweneedacollective beliefandconfidencetomakethishappenand theregulationtoleadusthatwayanddrive businessestochange
Whatisonethingyouwouldliketoseechange abouttheindustry?
Ifbusinesseshiretalentinthewaywehave alwaysdonewithoutastrategy,thenweare goingtofinditveryhardtothinkdifferentlyand openuproutestonewentrants,diversetalent andworkforcedevelopmentopportunities Whatwearepointingtoisthe industrybeingopenminded, curiousandpatientandto trythingsdifferentlyand seewhathappens. Let’sstopand lookupandstart futurethinking.
SUSTAINABUILD
SITE INTRODUCING
SUSTAINABUILDINTHE EVENING
Networking drinks for sustainability-driven built environment professionals
Thanks to sponsor of our May 23rd Edinburgh event
49%
Almost half (49%) of all used textiles in the UK are being thrown in the bin and destined for landfill, according to the latest research by recycling and circular economy charity Wrap
28%
According to a global study by IBM, 28% of business leaders in the UK reported difficulty building the business case for environmental projects, citing trade-offs between financial and sustainability outcomes
20%
There was an almost 20% increase in certified heat pumps installed in UK homes last year compared to 2022, according to The MCS Foundation
READ ALL ABOUT US..
Here’s just some of the coverage that our PR partners, Building Relations have secured for us so far..
BY POPULAR DEMAND…
Sustainabuild is spreading its wings. Coming to The Social Hub, Glasgow on May 30th with the theme ‘Decarbonising Heat in Buildings,’ as well as June 19th, exploring ‘Retrofitting for Net Zero’
Please visit our website for more information.
SUSTAINABILITY JOBS OF THE MONTH
Senior Consultant - Net Zero AECOM
AECOM is seeking an experienced Senior Net Zero Consultant to join an established Sustainable Development Group based in our Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff or Manchester offices, but also part of a wider UK sustainability group For more information click here.
Associate Lecturer in Construction Management & Sustainability UNSW
UNSW Built Environment is seeking to employ an Associate Lecturer in Construction Management to contribute teaching and research to our Construction Management and Property suite of programmes. For more information click here.
Senior Sustainability Consultant – Certifications Cundall
This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate and motivated Senior Sustainability Consultant to join our world leading sustainability team in Birmingham, to work on some of the most exciting sustainable design projects in the UK and around the world For more information click here
Town Planner
Geddes Consulting
Regarded as one of Scotland’s leading independent planning consultancies, we provide a range of complementary services, including masterplanning, urban design, landscape architecture, sustainability and viability For more information click here
Sustainability Manager SSE
We currently have an opportunity for a Project Sustainability Manager to join the team and play a key role in the development and delivery of our sustainability ambitions For more information click here
Senior/Principal Renewable Energy & Utilities Hydrock
This is a brand-new role and prominent position in our talented, successful, and rapidly growing Renewable Energy and Utility Management team in Scotland. For more information click here
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS ROUNDUP
W C p
GRAHAM Building has started work on a low-carbon, mixed-use residential development in Edinburgh which will deliver student flats, build-to-rent and affordable homes, using low carbon concrete and timber composite
Scotland’s Net Zero Journey
Scotland’s Net Zero Cabinet
Secretary Màiri McAllan has announced a new suite of policies to support Scotland’s journey to net zero. New measures will help cut emissions and deliver a more sustainable future for everyone in Scotland
Demand for Industrial Hemp in UK Continues...
Industrial hemp, a crop that was once grown all over the UK and used for centuries to help make rope, clothing, animal feed and insulation, is making a comeback Bernardino D'Amico, Associate Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, said that hemp and its carbon absorbing abilities could become a key tool in the fight
One of Scotland’s ‘Most Sustainable Offices of its Size’ Unveiled
Announced
Balfour Beatty plc has been awarded a £209m contract to construct the new HMP Highland in Inverness – making it the first net zero prison in Scotland with the facility designed to run off renewable energy sources.
Santander’s ‘landmark’ buildin in Glasgow is set to undergo a complete refurbishment – to become carbon neutralresulting in it becoming one o Scotland's 'most sustainable office buildings of its size
Stirling Welcomes new Film Studio
Denmark’s Remarkable Wind Power.
Denmark's offshore wind tender could award up to 10GWenough to meet the entire country's electricity demand. Renewable hydrogen and other green fuels could also be produced - not to mention 12,000 jobs
Scotland Ditches Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target
Scotland has scrapped its bold ambition of slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, admitting defeat after missing 8 of the last 12 annual targets. Revised targets and a new climate h l t d
Creating energy from waste
A major new film and TV studio campus is to be built in Stirling on former MOD land, creating jobs and opportunities in Scotland - as well as boosting local supply chains
The South Clyde Energy Centre will divert 350,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste away from landfill every year - and generate enough electricity for the equivalent of 70,000 homes.
WHAT’S COMING UP NEXT MONTH
09:00 - 11:00AM 14 May
09:00 - 18:00PM 15-16
Sustainbuild Breakfast Club - Dundee
Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, Dundee
A event designed for professionals focused on driving sustainability in Scotland’s built environment and construction sector The theme for the May event is ‘Building for Net Zero ’
SEC, Glasgow
Provides expertise and knowledge to better engineering a net zero future For tickets and more information, click here
Barbican Centre, London
A one-day conference featuring speakers from global corporate sustainability leaders, academics and thought leaders sharing the latest climate and nature science and regulation updates. Sustainable Futures – London
09:00 - 11:00PM 30 May
10-21
June
10:00 - 15:00PM 22 May
09:00 - 11:00PM 19 June
25-26 June
Sustainbuild Breakfast Club - Glasgow
The Social Hub Glasgow
A monthly event designed for professionals focused on driving sustainability in Scotland’s built environment and construction sector The theme for the May event is ‘Decarbonising Heat in Buildings ’
Venues across Yorkshire
Events will take place across Yorkshire, with a two-day sustainability conference in Leeds Brings together experts in sustainability to collaborate and share key learnings in order to strengthen the region’s sustainable business community Yorkshire Sustainability Festival – Yorkshire
Sustainbuild Breakfast Club - Glasgow
The Social Hub Glasgow
A monthly event designed for professionals focused on driving sustainability in Scotland’s built environment and construction sector. The theme for the May event is ‘Retrofitting for Net Zero.’
Excel London
Talking about the next steps towards finding sustainable, low providers and exploring funding for businesses For tickets and more information, click here Reset Connect - London
If you want your news included in the next edition please email Matt@sustainabuild.co.uk
TBC
May
TBC