News

Thinking of applying for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status in 2023? Here’s what you need to know

Following the Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps’ announcement in November 2022 of funding of an extra £1bn for energy efficiency, Simon Brammer, Head of Cities at climate solutions charity Ashden, said: “This covers just a few hundred thousand homes over the next three years, compared to 19 million homes that must be insulated by 2035 to hit the government’s own net-zero targets.

This time of the year, we look forward to the year ahead. It is also a good time to reflect and report on the Association’s activities for the previous year.

NatWest research shows that 76% of large UK businesses are urgently searching for more efficient, low-carbon energy sources in 2023 in response to rising energy costs.

The Department for Education’s latest apprenticeships data has shown engineering-related apprenticeship starts have increased at a greater rate than all sector subject areas, increasing by 25.8% in 2020/21.

The Big Bang at School Blueprint is a free resource tool and programme allowing teachers to plan Big Bang events at School to promote STEM subjects and careers.

Searches for solar on eBay alone have almost tripled and small-scale solar installations (homes and small businesses) have more than doubled.

The £1bn ECO+ scheme is a nationwide insulation funding scheme aimed at middle income householders living in energy inefficient properties that launches this spring. It will run for up to three years and builds on the existing ECO (Energy Company Obligation) schemes, which have been running since 2013.

Research from Legal and General Capital in partnership with YouGov showed that there has been a 34% uptick in searches for eco-friendly homes. Buyers looking for a new home are willing to pay a 10.5% premium for a low-carbon property, with Generation Z future buyers willing to pay 20%. Renters are willing to pay a 13% premium for a low carbon property.

UK households and businesses could be missing out on up to £3.1bn in savings every year by not improving the energy efficiency of their homes and premises, according to a new report from global energy efficiency company Grundfos and the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr).

The UK government has extended the deadline for the implementation of the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark and will continue to recognise the CE marking until June 2025. It had been due to be implemented on 1 January 2022 with a 31 December 2022 deadline.

New-build house buyers have a new champion in the shape of the Residential
Property Surveyors Association (RPSA), which has launched the industry’s first-ever new-
build ‘snagging’ standards for surveyors.

The Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has signed off new building regulations that require electric vehicle recharging infrastructure be installed in a range of new builds.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has announced that CEEQUAL – its international evidence-based sustainability assessment scheme for infrastructure projects – is being rebranded ‘BREEAM Infrastructure’ as BRE continues to drive a holistic approach to improving sustainability in the built environment.

The Engineering Council announced the signing of new agreements with Spanish professional bodies Asociación de Ingenieros Profesionales de España (AIPE) and Agency for Qualification of Professional Engineers (AQPE), which will facilitate the mobility and recognition of engineering professionals between the UK and Spain.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Ireland has issued a circular relating to planning applications – site layouts, plans, maps and drawings (PL 06/2022).

Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (7 to 11 November 2022) celebrated ten years of inspiring young people into engineering careers.

Taking place on 4 May, the BCIA Awards 2023 recognise innovation, product development, project delivery and great training in the building controls sector.

Stephen Kidd, Associate Director at Quadrant Building Control, took the opportunity at the CABE Built Environment Awards to announce the launch of the Quadrant Building Control Training Programme.

The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair is returning in 2023. From