Can you pass the greenwash test?

If you listen to the marketing hype of some of the larger companies these days its easy to be seduced into thinking that they're all green and adopting sustainable policies towards the environment.

Its true that some have made encouraging steps forward, which is to be commended. However, a large proportion have cynically jumped on the green bandwagon and added 'eco' to various products and services whilst making no real changes to protect the environment. 'Greenwashing' as its become known, is prevalent across a range of industries.

At the same time, confusion over what is genuinely green and consumer disinterest and apathy, have led to the subject of sustainability dropping off the radar and being kicked into the long grass. Remember the coalition's pledge to be the 'greenest government ever'?

Let's ignore the various claims and counter-claims and look at two fundamental facts, which are quite alarming, and which serve to expose the truth behind the facade.

Firstly, wildlife populations have halved in the last 40 years, according to the latest Living Planet Report by the World Wildlife Fund. The report states that "the biggest recorded threat to biodiversity globally comes from the combined impacts of habitat loss and degradation, driven by unsustainable human consumption". That includes massive human population growth, particularly in Africa. The earth is undergoing a mass extinction due to human activity and we don't even realise it.

Secondly, global greenhouse gas emissions are set to hit a record high this year, with a rise of 2.5 per cent above 2013 levels. In other words, climate change isn't being brought under control - its actually spiralling out of control.

Don't be fooled into believing that we are living in a greener world, run by green governments and corporations trying to protect the environment. The unpalatable truth is that things are far worse now than they were before the so-called 'green revolution.'

If larger numbers of consumers can be better informed and convinced of the ecological dangers we face, then their combined demand for greener goods and services will cause a paradigm shift in buying behaviour whilst forcing traditional companies to adopt policies that reduce harm to the environment.

All of which makes it more imperative to see through cynical greenwashing and push for genuinely green products, whilst adopting more sustainable lifestyles.

Inbred bumblebees 'face extinction threat'

Albert Einstein once said: “If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live.”

Some of the UK's rarest bumblebees are at risk of becoming extinct as a result of inbreeding, research suggests. It seems that the lack of genetic diversity is making the bees more vulnerable to a number of threats, including parasitic infection. Scientists warn that some populations of bees are becoming increasingly isolated as a result of habitat loss.

Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment: What’s it all about?

The Code for Sustainable Homes is a rating system that measures the environmental impact for new build housing in England. The code was officially launched back in December 2006 and was designed to complement the system of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for new homes that were built or developed in 2008 under the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment is a mandatory assessment under current building regulations but it does represent important development towards limiting the environmental impact of housing. Currently the minimum Code level for newly built social housing is CSH Level 3. As of Autumn this year there will be a minimum target level of Code Level 3 for ENE category 1 new-build private dwellings.

The Code has taken over from the previous Building Research Establishment's EcoHomes rating scheme that was first used back in 2000. The Government owned scheme currently only applies to new build dwellings in England but the National Welsh Assembly recently announced a plan to adopt the code, while Northern Ireland are required to achieve a code level 3 on all public sector homes. The rating acts as an incentive to home builders to consider building to the Code's higher standards, whilst making the information routinely available will encourage consumers to be more demanding.

The Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment works by giving new build homes a star rating from 1 to 6, based on their performance against 9 sustainability factors, which is designed to assess the overall environmental impact of the house. Six stars is the highest by showing high quality development in terms of sustainability and one being the entry level. The Code has a number of sustainability criteria which include the following:

§ Energy and CO2 Emissions – This involves both the operational energy through the build and resulting emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

§ Surface Water Run-off – Surface water run-off patterns as a result of the development have an impact and are assessed. The consumption of potable water from the public supply systems or other ground water resources.

§ Materials – Construction materials are assessed for key construction elements.

§ Waste – The generation of waste as a result of the construction process and facilities encouraging recycling of household waste.

§ Pollution – Pollution levels have to be assessed from the operation of the dwelling

§ Health and Well-Being – The effect of the dwelling’s design and indoor environment has on its occupants.

§ Management – An assessment of the quality of management of the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of the home

§ Ecology – Assessment of the impact of the dwelling on the local land use, ecosystem and bio-diversity.

This vital assessment needs to be carried out by a company who can deliver on time and on budget without any hassles whilst also looking to save money for all parties involved in the long run. Syntegra Consulting have the qualifications and experience needed to carry out a thorough assessment of the dwelling and their approachable nature make them a joy to work with. Find out more about Syntegra’s Code for Sustainable Homes Assessors by visiting them at www.syntegra-epc.co.uk/services-we-offer/code-for-sustainable-homes-assessment.

Syntegra Consulting Ltd
6 Warren House,
17 St Peters Avenue
Reading,
Berkshire,
RG4 7RW

Email: mail@syntegra-epc.co.uk
Tel: 0845 009 1625