Good morning. Here is your AM bulletin, with the latest news and views from EG, as well as a few of the best bits from the morning papers.
The UK built environment sector is falling far behind where it needs to be to reach its net zero targets. As the nations of the world meet in Dubai for COP28, the industry has been issued a series of stern warnings.
The first comes in the form of the RICS global sustainability report. It shows an industry reluctant to pursue a lower-carbon future, more interested in the esteem offered by building certification than real change, and more focused on profit than principles. “This focus on profit over principles is increasingly out of step with the commitments of other sectors, governments and societies,” said president elect Tina Paillet. “If we do not volunteer to do more and faster, we may find ourselves forced, with less choice about the steps we take.”
The second comes from the UK Green Building Council, which warns that the built environment needs to decarbonise twice as fast as it is currently doing, if it is to have a hope of reaching its net zero targets. “One thing is clear,” says UKGBC boss Smith Mordak. “Our industry is not moving fast enough.”
Meanwhile, the Port of London Authority has unveiled the first instalment of its Tidal Thames Masterplan, an “essential guide” for investment across all 22 local authority areas along the river’s banks.
And Bank of Ireland is racing to avoid a loss on the sale of a £90m loan held against No 1 Poultry, EC2.
And more than one in five English councils face collapse next year, as the funding crisis hits critical levels.
In other news:
Blackstone’s Pike swims into new role
Hurtigruten Cruises sails to King’s Cross for London HQ
KFC thwarting anti-obesity planning rules
Quiz asks questions about store strategy
And, ICYMI, Cluttons completes MBO
