L'atelier

Diary Dates

WWF's Earth Hour

Saturday 27th March 2010- Worldwide

L'atelier is proud to be supporting WWF's Earth Hour.

On Saturday 27 March 2010 at 8.30pm, WWF want a billion people around the world to switch off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour, to send politicians the message that people do care about climate change.

Sign up, switch off and spread the word - click here to find out more.

You can register as an individual, organisation, school or business. And once registered, you will receive information on what you can do to become more involved in WWF’s Earth Hour, including useful resources and tips.

Warming up the Market- RHI Consultation

16th March 2010- "At Bristol", Bristol

Regen SW, in partnership with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), is running a high profile national conference on DECC’s imminent consultation on introducing a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in April 2011. The event will bring together around 150 national businesses and decision makers to debate the issues raised by the RHI consultation. Senior representatives from DECC will be presenting the proposed scheme and seeking feedback from the audience.

The introduction of the RHI is a landmark step in the development of renewable energy. For the first time there will be a coherent incentive to incentivise renewable heat providing a secure income stream for those who invest in technologies such as biomass, solar thermal, AD, and heat pumps - creating new business opportunities for companies in retailing, development, manufacturing and finance as well as the energy sector.

However, the UK is the first country to bring in such a system and its design and implementation will be key to its success. This conference, therefore, is designed to give businesses the opportunity to understand and influence the design of the RHI.

The event will take place at ‘At-Bristol’, Harbourside, Bristol, on 16 March 2010 and will run from approximately 9am-4pm.

For further details visit – www.regensw.co.uk/eventhq

Ecobuild

2nd-4th March 2010- Earls Court, London

At 10 am on 2nd March the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment opens its doors. Ecobuild is the definitive source of sustainability information for specifiers across UK construction and beyond, and this year brings together more than 1000 suppliers of sustainable construction products. With a mix of innovation, debate and celebrity participation, the three-day, free event is also an invigorating forum for discussion, new products and other initiatives.

The Ecobuild conference focuses on emerging issues, new thinking, challenging ideas. For 2010, there is much to assess and debate: the progress made in putting sustainability at the core of construction and the built environment: the future direction the sector needs to take: how quickly and with what impact and to what effect. And all of that in a year - since Ecobuild 2009 - in which the macro economic environment remained weak, and construction continues to face a difficult period in which sustainability has to support profitability more critically than anyone could have foreseen.

This year’s conference looks at the challenges facing the sector as a whole and house building in particular, how sustainability can be achievable even in a downturn, why the existing stock must be the new priority, and how energy generation has become a key issue at a micro and local level. And coming between the Copenhagen summit and a likely Spring general election in the UK, the Ecobuild 2010 conference provides a timely opportunity to examine the progress being made with what needs to happen. The UK’s built environment will only become a low carbon one if there is political vision and ideas, plus the commitment to make change happen. To test out where that vision and commitment are likely to come from, there will be a number of opportunities to hear from relevant Government ministers and members of the main opposition parties, as well as senior figures from the sector.

Atelier Ten's and L'atelier's Principal Patrick Bellew will be discussing passive cooling and ventilation for non domestic buildings in a panel talk at 11.20am on Weds 3rd. 

Visit www.ecobuild.co.uk for more information.

Fairtrade Fornight

22 Feb- 7 March

Swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff this Fairtrade Fortnight- it's a brilliantly small step to making the world a fairer place. It means that you get to show your support for developing world producers through what you buy. Two billion people - a third of humanity - survive on less than $2 a day. Unfair trade rules keep them in poverty, but they face the global challenges of food shortages and climate change too.

Fairtrade believes that developing world producers should be in control of their own lives, by getting a better deal for the work that they do. This is a different way of doing business. It's a way that puts the poorest of the world first. Look around our map and find out how Fairtrade is changing the lives of farming communities worldwide. And learn a bit about the stuff that you’re swapping too.

For more information and a funky interactive "swap counter", visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/thebigswap/

RICS Sustainability conference

23 February 2010- Broadway House, London

This conference will look at the practical and financial impacts of sustainability and what you can to ensure you meet sustainability requirements without compromising budgets. Sessions will look how you can demonstrate the sustainability of a project by the use of appropriate benchmarks, if there is a tangible value to the sustainability of a project and what the legal implications are.

Why should you attend?

- Look at the financial implications of sustainability
- Ensure you are complying with the laws surrounding sustainability
- Find out how to measure the value of sustainability
- Learn from case studies of sustainable projects

For more information, visit www.rics.org 

DSBI: The road to carbon zero conference

9th February 2010- The Watershed, Bristol

The construction and use of buildings contribute nearly half of the UK’s CO2 emissions, which the UK has a legally binding target to reduce to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. As a result the Government has set targets to significantly reduce the greenhouse emissions from all buildings, whether residential, commercial or public and new or existing.
This conference will showcase some of the best of these low and zero carbon projects, with a strong focus on the steps and measures taken to achieve these reductions in CO2 and the impact it had on the construction process, providing delegates with a unique opportunity to learn from those at the leading edge of compliance with this fast approaching standard.

Speakers include:

Paul King - Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and Chairman of the Zero Carbon Hub, on the latest policy developments on zero carbon buildings.

Bill Dunster - architect of the UK’s first non-demonstration Code Level 6 homes.

Ben Cook, Barratt Homes - responsible for the company’s 200+ home zero carbon development at Hanham Hall near Bristol.

Gareth Davies - Director of architectural firm Stride Treglown who are planning a BREEAM Outstanding office building in Cardiff which will achieve a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to Building Regulations.

Vic Ebdon - who is a member of the School's Zero Carbon Taskforce, from Devon County Council, which currently has a number of low/zero carbon schools under construction or in design.

Carmel McQuaid - Climate Change Manager at Marks & Spencer, who have achieved significant CO2 reductions in both new and existing stores as well as in their factories.

The conference is supported by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), the Zero Carbon Hub, the SW Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), SW Councils (formerly the SW Regional Assembly), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Future Foundations, the region's sustainable construction partnership.

It is organised by the Devon Sustainable Building Initiative (DSBI) and Ecos Trust.

RICS Renewable Energy Conference

26 January 2010-  Hilton Hotel, Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes

This conference will give an overview of the current developments in the renewable energy arena and look at some of the key technologies.

The UK is committed to producing 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.  This is equivalent to around 35% of its electricity usage. To help achieve this target, we need to increase our use of renewable technologies and this conference focuses on some of the leading technologies in this field.

The aspects that will be covered include:

- Wind power
- Bio energy
- Solar energy
- Geothermal

We will also be covering the Government's proposal for a Feed-in Tariff for renewable energy in the UK explaining what it is, how it will work, and the financial opportunity it represents for property owners and investors.

Who should attend?

- Rural practitioners
- Those working in the field of sustainability
- Property Managers
- Landlords
- Agents
- Building Surveyors

Visit www.rics.org for more information. 

'Making Sustainable Development Happen' - UK GBC Annual Conference & Sustainability Awards

24 November 2009- Kings Place, London

The UK Green Building Council is collaborating with Building magazine on a double-bill of must-attend green building events. The conference ‘Making Sustainable Development Happen’ will be followed by a reception and awards event celebrating best practice and innovation in sustainable construction, design and management. The conference ‘Making Sustainable Development Happen’ will feature high profile speakers from the industry, government and opinion leaders from the third sector, media and the wider built environment. Delegates will be asked to roll up their sleeves and actively participate – the aim is to make change happen, to have a real impact on government and the industry. Following the conference, the UK Green Building Council and Building will be holding the new Sustainability Awards reception, which will build on the success of previous years and reward the very best examples of sustainable building the industry has to offer. The winners will be exhibited at the Building Centre in December 2009

Sustainability Awards

The Sustainability Awards recognise and reward outstanding sustainability, construction and design and are a key benchmark for achieving best practice in the sector. It is the only major event in construction and architecture to recognise best sustainable practice and innovation.

For more information visit www.building.co.uk/ukgbc

Offices 2009

20 October 2009- Royal Lancaster Hotel

Offices 09 combines Property Week’s Offices 09 conference and exhibition with the CoreNet Global UK annual summit, and culminates with the annual Office Development Awards. L'atelier Chairman Patrick Bellew will be speaking in one of the afternoon breakout sessions.

Britain’s biggest-name developers and occupiers will be joining forces for the office property event of the year in London on 20 October. At the Offices 09 conference, Land Securities chief executive Francis Salway, Canary Wharf Group chief executive George Iacobescu and Heron chief executive Gerald Ronson will be leading the developer contributions. Barclays property chief Simon Ward, the Royal Bank of Scotland property head Barry Varcoe and Microsoft head of property Nigel Baker will be among the key occupiers on the platform. The two communities will join forces because Property Week’s Offices 09 has merged with occupier group CoreNet Global UK’s annual summit for the first time. Among the other partners are the Office Agents Society and the City of London Corporation, whose policy and resources committee chairman Stuart Fraser will also be speaking.

See www.officesevent.com for more information.

Future of London Conference

8th October 2009- Business Design Centre, Islington

The 2009 Future of London conference will:

• Innovate, stimulating fresh thinking and the formulation of new ideas
• Tackle how regeneration projects can be delivered in the current economic climate
• Preview the London Plan
• Major policy announcements from our speakers throughout the day 
• Focus on the current and future projects taking place in London
• Debate key issues in concentrated workshop sessions

The reasons for attending this years Future of London conference are quite compelling. The economic situation has dramatically altered the landscape of regeneration in the capital. In the current climate regeneration practitioners have needed to quickly adapt to operate within a very different set of circumstances with both the public and private sectors looking at how to deliver much more value with much less resources.  In addition with a general election only 9 months away the battle for new ideas and fresh thinking around the future direction of policy is beginning to take shape.

Future of London is a not for profit conference that is run by the London Boroughs and is supported by HCA London, LDA, GLA, and the Environment Agency. The event provides an ideal opportunity to talk to the people who are responsible for delivering regeneration in the capital. This event provides an excellent opportunity for senior figures in the industry to come together to share best practice and to be at forefront of thought leadership helping to shape new policy ideas around the future direction of the industry.  

This year the line up of speakers for Future of London is exceptional with key decisions makers and industry leaders throughout the day. This includes

• Sir Simon Milton
• Sir Bob Kerslake
• Andy Altman
• David Lunts
• Tony Pidgely
• Helen Gordon
• Peter Bishop
• Roger Madelin

Alongside the conference, the event will host an exhibition of 30 of the leading regeneration organisations, consultants and contractors working in London. We will also be displaying 3D models of London’s major construction schemes within the exhibition hall. The event will close with a drinks reception and networking event.

For more information click here.

Energy Solutions Expo 2009

7-8 October 2009- London Olympia

Energy Solutions Expo, the UK’s fastest growing energy management event, returns to London Olympia for 2009. Supported by key associations including the National Energy Foundation and the Energy Institute, Energy Solutions Expo will offer more innovative features, complimentary educational content and industry renowned exhibitors than ever before.

The event is part of Working Buildings 2009 which is comprised of three co-located events:

• Energy Solutions Expo;
• M&E – The Building Services Event, the UK’s only dedicated building services event
• Total Workplace Management, the UK’s largest FM and estates event.

Hundreds of the industry’s leading companies will be showcasing their latest developments at the extensive exhibition including Carbon Trust, ENER.G, Monodraught, PowerPerfector, Powerstar and t-mac Technologies.

Energy Solutions Expo has consistently evolved since its inception to reflect the most important issues facing energy users. 2009 will continue this trend as the event introduces Sustainable Reality - a brand new series of complimentary seminars focussing on the practical delivery of sustainability and the implications for businesses and other organisations.

Taking place in The Sustainable Reality Seminar Theatre, the new educational programme will feature more than 12 hours of free seminars and 20 expert speakers who will provide insight, practical information and direction to help turn a company’s sustainability agenda into reality.
Speakers include:

• Anna Halcro-Johnston, The Carbon Trust
• Craig Simmons, Technical Director, Best Foot Forward (BFF)
• Jacqueline Balian, CIBSE
• Professor Jim Skea, UKERC
• David Penfold, Head of Sustainability and Innovation, Sainsburys
• Kate Dunk, Energy Institute
• Dr Michael Gell, Xanfeon
• Richard Brailsford, Project Director, AECOM

In addition, the event will host a further complimentary educational programme in The Public & Private Sector Seminar Theatre. Featuring case studies from some of the industry’s leading companies, visitors will have the opportunity to gain insight into the latest trends and developments from the likes of Mitsubishi Electric, Energy Institute, Earth Energy and powerPerfector.

As the industry evolves, so does Energy Solutions Expo to ensure visitors are able to address all their professional needs under one roof. Energy Solutions Expo has therefore introduced new and innovative feature areas for 2009 to compliment the established mainstays of the event. One such feature is Be2Camp at Working Buildings - a facilitated, participant-driven "unconference" centered around Web 2.0 and the built environment. Over the two days there will be four themed participative sessions. Within each theme, topics will be selected by the prospective audiences, with a running order emerging in the weeks and days running up to the event. Visitors will be able to suggest the topics, volunteer to speak and nominate speakers

Read more: www.bsdlive.co.uk

London FM Conference

1 October 2009- Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge

Showcasing best practice in Facilities and Estates Management and providing opportunities for networking with senior FM professionals, the London FM Conference is an important new industry forum organised by London First and the British Institute for Facilities Management. Leading figures in the FM world will take part in the full one day conference programme, whilst a range of exhibitors will assist delegates to source and promote new products and services. Exhibitors will benefit from opportunities to make quality contact with influential FM decision makers.

Topics of discussion:

• FM in the current economic climate
• "More for less"- Working More Efficiently
• Outsourcing
• Reducing emissions

For more information go to www.fmconference.co.uk

World Green Building Day

23rd September 2009- Terrace Pavillion, House of Commons, Westminster

On 23rd September 2009, The World Green Building Day Reception will take place in the Terrace Pavillion at the House of Commons on September 23rd 2009 from 4pm-6pm. This event is hosted by Emily Thornberry MP and David Kidney MP, Under Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, who will to listen and respond to the members’ call for action. This will directly complement the UK’s government’s own Roadmap to Copenhagen, launched by Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband on 29th June, and will provide an opportunity to demonstrate the level of commitment from our sector to deliver real and significant carbon reductions.

The reception will offer a fantastic opportunity to network with members, non-members and government representatives. Drinks and canapés will be provided and the event will be filmed by Building magazine and will be available to view on GBC websites worldwide. 

Call to Action!

On 23 September 2009, the first World Green Building Day, Green Building Councils and other organisations focused on the potential of buildings to deliver major greenhouse gas emissions reductions globally, will organise a series of synchronised events around the world. The event is part of a process of ongoing engagement of decision makers at national and international level to influence the outcome of COP15.

The messages will be reinforced through on-going advocacy and further events in the run up to Copenhagen, including the World Green Building Congress to be held in Arizona, in November.

Have your voice heard at Copenhagen - UNEP’s ‘Call to Action’

Through the World Green Building Council, the UK-GBC is a member of the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Sustainable Building and Climate Initiative (SBCI). The SBCI (www.unepsbci.org) exists to promote the worldwide adoption of sustainable building and construction practices. The UK-GBC has played an active role in helping to develop the SBCI’s ‘Buildings and Climate Change Industry Call to Action’ which calls on international governments to recognise the building industry as a top priority for achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions at the forthcoming COP15 negotiations.

World Green Building Council- Leader Summit and Reception

23rd September 2009- Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, Canada

Green buildings need to be a part of the climate change solution. The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) wants to ensure that green buildings are at the forefront of decision makers’ minds when the world gets to together in Copenhagen to commit to new carbon emission reduction targets.

The Toronto Leaders’ Summit will be the first time the WorldGBC brings together Canadian and World industry leaders and policy makers to hear from international and national experts in the green building community about the enormous potential green buildings offer to aid nations as they work to reduce their carbon emission reduction targets. 

By hosting the Summit in Toronto, and in conjunction with 2009 IIDEX/NeoCon Conference and the Green Building Festival, the WorldGBC Secretariat is working to shine the spotlight on Canadian initiatives and showcase the opportunity for governments to  be the leading advocate for green buildings on the international stage. 

The Summit (from 3:30PM - 5:30PM) will be followed by a cocktail reception (5:30PM -7:30PM) with the opportunity to network with national and international attendees and invited dignitaries. 

Participants will gain

• New appreciation of the enormous potential of green buildings to be part of the climate solution;
• Knowledge from around the world that demonstrates how green buildings can be used as a means to help reduce carbon emissions;
• Understanding of the current strategies  and efforts on-going in response to  climate change;
• Important networking opportunities. 

The Carbon Reduction Commitment

15th September 2009- Mayfair Conference Centre, London

The Carbon Reduction Commitment is mandatory and will affect up to 20,000 large companies from April 2010. As a result they will need to reduce their energy use.

The cost implications of the CRC for organisations, including local authorities, are potentially enormous. Purchasing carbon credits, paying already high energy bills and the fear of being named on the league tables as a poor performer in terms of absolute carbon reductions are all good reasons to reduce energy use.

This event has been organised to find out what the CRC is, how it will impact on your clients, where the opportunities lie for construction specialists, and what the CRC means for sustainable design. Help your clients develop ‘quick wins’ to reduce the burden of the CRC in the short term. Plus, identify how the supply chain can deliver new-build solutions in the long term to further minimise energy consumption.

L'atelier can help your and your clients understand and tackle the requirements of CRC. Call us today for advice & guidance.

Trading Standards Institute Conference

30 June- 2nd July 2009- Brighton

"Trading standards to front climate change education" urges Shadow Minister Baroness Judith Wilcox. Local authority trading standards professionals should play an important role in leading the climate change agenda - was the key message to emerge from the Trading Standards Institute Conference in Brighton.

Shadow Minister for energy and climate change Baroness Judith Wilcox used the event as a platform to urge the Government to enable trading standards professionals to communicate key climate change messages to consumers and small businesses. She said: 'Money is going to have to be found for a lot of training for trading standards officers. This is a technical and scientific subject and trading standards professionals need good information and training.'

The Baroness pointed out the close links that trading standards officers have with consumers and small businesses. These are both crucial audiences in the battle to influence public opinion regarding the climate change debate. Chairman of TSI and head of Surrey County Council Trading Standards Peter Denard said: 'We already tackle a number of issues around the climate change agenda and would be a natural home to carry out the important role Baroness Wilcox is advocating.'

Government Minister for the department of energy and climate change Lord Hunt, another keynote speaker at the Conference, said local government faced an 'immense challenge' over climate change and called for local authorities to take a leadership role.

Grand Designs Live

25 April- 4 May 2009- London ExCel 

Grand Designs Live sponsored by British Gas is the UK’s no. 1 consumer show for anyone who has an interest in design, build, interiors, shopping, home wares, gardens, kitchens & bathrooms, and innovation. With yearly exhibitions taking place in London and Birmingham, visitors will be able to buy, build and furnish a house, all under one roof. If you’re looking to make the most of your home, the show will provide you with plenty of amazing ideas to unlock its potential and turn your dream home into a reality. Watch the highlights from the day including discussions on the Great British Refurb campaign here.