Global Climate News

UK-based UPP Group Holdings Limited completed a £110m sustainability-linked revolving credit facility with Deutsche Bank. The facility ties funding costs to UPP's sustainability goals, including carbon reduction and biodiversity net gain across its 35,000-room portfolio. Deutsche Bank aims to support sustainable finance with a Euro 500 billion target by 2025.

The UK government has extended its Home Building Fund for SMEs beyond March 2024, offering up to £700 million in financial support for small and medium-sized housebuilders. The extension aims to deliver 12,000 additional homes, including energy-efficient housing projects. A £25 million deal with Muse Places Limited and Pension Insurance Corporation has been announced to deliver 3,000 energy-efficient new homes.

MIT researchers have conducted a study on circular economy adoption in the construction sector, surveying stakeholders across North America, Europe, and Asia. The study found that developers are willing to pay 9.6% higher costs for significant carbon reduction, while identifying barriers like lack of standardization and logistics complexity. The research team has also developed 'Pixelframe', a modular concrete reuse system that enables building components to be disassembled and reused multiple times, which recently received a MassCEC grant for commercialization.

New Zealand's Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced proposed changes to building regulations to reduce construction costs while maintaining energy efficiency standards. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has completed a review of H1 energy efficiency standards, recommending more flexible approaches to meeting insulation requirements that could save up to $15,000 in upfront costs while updating climate data for regional insulation requirements.

US-based First Street Technology has integrated climate risk data into property listings on major real estate platforms including Zillow, providing comprehensive climate risk assessment for homebuyers. The integration includes flood, fire, wind, air, and heat risk scores based on computer model predictions. The article provides detailed guidance for homebuyers on assessing climate risks when purchasing property, including flood history, wildfire risks, and energy efficiency considerations.

A decision letter and Inspector's Report has been issued for a planning application to demolish Court Lane Industrial Estate and develop a new data centre facility of up to 65,000 square metres. The development includes technical spaces, equipment, offices, parking, landscaping, and security infrastructure.

Ireland-based OCC Construction is developing a 102-unit Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Light Gauge Steel (LGS) residential project in Ballybrit, Galway. The development features energy-efficient design exceeding NZEB compliance, incorporating PV panels, smart heating systems, and airtight thermal envelopes. The project demonstrates how MMC methods can reduce construction time by 20%.

The UK government has announced a major infrastructure development plan that includes streamlining approval processes for renewable energy projects and grid upgrades. The plan aims to process at least 150 infrastructure applications in the next five years, including solar projects that will provide almost two gigawatts of electricity. The initiative includes reforms to planning processes and establishment of a new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

UK planning application has been submitted for demolition of 3 existing buildings and construction of a new 9-storey mixed-use development. The project includes retail, office, café/restaurant spaces along with public realm improvements.