What it takes to excel in carbon saving
As a pace-setter in stimulating and recognising the actual reduction of carbon emissions from Britain’s buildings, not just talking about it, the annual low-carbon awards of the Chartered Institution of Building Services engineers (CIBSE) have assumed a high profile.
The role of building-services engineers was acknowledged by former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, presenting the awards with round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur: ‘You need to be innovative to make buildings more carbon efficient so humanity can survive. I am talking to people who can change the world — and we need you to. We cannot wait for the politicians. I suggest that you get on with it and let politicians eventually think that it was their idea really.’
CIBSE president John Swaffield added his thoughts: ‘The awards demonstrate the achievements that can be made through the sustainable design and operation of both new and existing buildings in the UK. With money saving and, therefore, energy savings on everyone’s minds — it is the ideal opportunity to recognise and reward those campaigns, projects and innovations that help to reduce the amount of carbon emitted and energy consumed by the built environment.’
There were 12 categories in this year’s awards, and our special report summarises them all.
