Greenpeace is calling for new CHP power stations to be built in industrial locations. The heat produced by this process would be used in industrial processes while a large proportion of the electricity could be directed to the National Grid. This would take advantage of CHP’s much greater conversion efficiency than conventional power stations – and much lower emissions per unit of electricity.

Car dealer the Gilder Group is developing a £15m centre at Meadowhead near Sheffield with several notable sustainable features.

CIBSE has flagged up a potentially severe shortage of assessors needed to implement the Energy Performance of Buildings directive.

New research for English Partnerships suggests that a Millennium Community home will be responsible for 145,000t less of CO₂ over a 30 year period compared to an ordinary home built at the same time. The work by the Richard Hodkinson Consultancy says Millennium Homes, launched in 1997 to achieve a 20% improvement in energy use compared to the 2002 building regulations, have actually achieved a 23% improvement. On average, each home achieved an 11% improvement on the 2006 regulations, saving an estimated 2,000t/yr of CO₂.

Construction industry professional organisations are warning the Government that the industry’s skills shortage is set to worsen despite the sharp downturn in the economy.