Modern Building Services

6 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES FEBRUARY 2023 INDUSTRY NEWS RPS launches new podcast exploring how to deliver Net Zero Carbon in the built environment The 2050 target is getting closer, but clarity over exactly what organisations need to do to achieve Net Zero Carbon remains hard to come by. Designed to help clients navigate complexity, global professional services firm RPS is delighted to be launching its first podcast – Building Sustainably: The Road to Net Zero. With the aim of providing pragmatic advice through real-life case studies, the podcast went live on Spotify and Apple . Covering a wide range of topics, including how to fund, plan, design and manage Net Zero programmes in the built environment, RPS will be bringing together public and private sector organisations to share knowledge, insight and lessons learned. With it being estimated that 80% of the building stock in 2050 has already been built, the first series will start here, exploring the decarbonisation challenge faced by owners and operators of large property estates. Series one of Building Sustainably: The Road to Net Zero will cover when to retrofit, when to build new, as well as how to prioritise investment, identify the right solutions, calculate cost and energy savings, and everything else along the way. You can find Building Sustainably: The Road to Net Zero on Apple 1 and Spotify 2 . To find out more information about the podcasts visit: www.rpsgroup.com/ podcast/podcast-building-sustainably-the-road-to-net-zero/ www.rpsgroup.com Source 1. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-sustainably-the-road-to- net-zero/id1656997083 2. https://open.spotify.com/show/13fzYSt118mlKUkmJA0PnO Response to Department for Education’s ‘sticking plaster’ energy efficiency funding The Department for Education’s announcement of £500m for schools to reduce their energy use falls far short of the funding needed for a nationwide retrofit programme to reduce costs and emissions, says schools’ climate campaign Let’s Go Zero. The campaign, which is supporting schools to become zero carbon by 2030, is calling for government funding to retrofit every school in the country, to ensure they stop leaking heat, carbon emissions andmoney. As a stop gapmeasure before themuch-needed retrofit funding is put in place, the Let’s Go Zero campaign is advising schools across the UK on how to cut costs and carbon this winter, fromsimple interventions such asmaking sure heating systems and lighting are powered downwhen the school is not in use or running a switch off campaign with students. Over 1,800 schools, colleges and nurseries have joined Let’s Go Zero to show their intent to be zero carbon by 2030. A key action would be to reduce the energy wastage that many schools suffer as a result of old boiler systems, old draughty properties which leak huge amounts of heat, and lack of funds and capacity to improve energy efficiency. www.letsgozero.org CPW relocates to progressive new Nottingham office Sustainability and M&E firm CPW has solidified its presence in Nottingham with its recent relocation to a new city centre office space. Having been located on Stoney Street within the Lace Market area of Nottingham since 2008, the move to a 3500 sq. ft space in the Imperial Buildings on Victoria Street marks a new chapter for the firm, aligning with consistent growth and success in Nottingham and the surrounding areas since joining the region’s business community in 2003. Rising staff levels, flexibleways of working and the resurgence of client facing activity were key drivers in the decision to relocate CPW’s Nottingham team. The leadership teamwas compelled to create a space that was adaptable and complimentary of the energy, drive and passion that the CPWteamembodies. www.cpwp.com L-R CraigWaldron, Carl Humpage and Carl Hubbard SKILLcardbacksCIChealthand safety route for professionals Building services engineers will now be able to use the Construction Industry Council’s (CIC) new online Health and Safety Certification training and exam to qualify for their Engineering Services SKILLcard. CIC’s e-learning course has been recognised as an alternative to the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test for managers and professionals seeking to qualify for the SKILLcards they need to gain access to construction sites. Engineering Services SKILLcard, which is managed by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), offers Academically Qualified Person (AQP) and Professionally Qualified Person (PQP) cards to professionals who are not site-based but do need site access for elements of their project responsibilities. The CIC Health and Safety Certification course is now deemed to satisfy the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) requirement that all applicants must pass a health and safety element when applying for professional SKILLcards under its CSCS partner system. The course comprises six e-learning modules covering legal requirements, personal health and welfare, safety onsite, risk management issues, design risk management, and environmental protection. It involves eight hours of study and candidates must pass a one- hour test with 80% correct answers to reach the required standard for their three-year certification. www.cic.org.uk