Sustainable office design task group launched

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 27-01-2011

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a new task group aimed at highlighting the need for sustainable office design and greener buildings across the UK.

According to the organisation, non-domestic buildings make up 17 per cent of all carbon emissions in the country and this is something it is keen to tackle.

Paul King, chief executive of the UKGBC, stated: "We think government could simplify regulations to both reduce the burden on business and achieve greater carbon reductions, cost effectively."

He added that at present, there are too many initiatives - such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment, Energy Performance Certificates, BREEAM and many other standards to meet - meaning businesses do not always know what is the best measure of environmental performance.

Meanwhile, One New Change in the City of London recently switched on the first geothermal heating system to be set up in the UK.

Estimated to reduce carbon emissions by up to ten per cent per annum at the building, the geothermal system could also save the property's owners up to £300,000 a year on lower energy bills.

Posted by Ian Johnson