RICS have responded to recommendations within the government’s Low Carbon Construction action plan, and announced the launch of the first information paper for the measurement of embodied carbon. The paper, which details an approach to early stage carbon accounting, was published as an exposure draft on Wednesday 21st March at Ecobuild. read more...

He’s not a film star, artist or famous musician – but it appears that energy minister Greg Barker can certainly draw a crowd, writes Ross Macmillan of 24housing magazine. Hoards of eco enthusiasts were left disappointed after being turned away from his Ecobuild address because the room was packed out. There were even people sneaking in, pretending they were part of his entourage - and a makeshift one-in-one-out procedure being deployed. read more...

Today’s budget was the worst for the environment in recent memory, Greenpeace said this afternoon, and CPRE were also quick to condemn the Chancellor's rhetoric on planning as misguided and dangerous. John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace, said: “This was a bad day for the environment". read more...

David Cameron has attracted criticism for backtracking on previous green pledges twice this week so far, with a suggestion that his government would support further airport expansion in the South East of England, and a demonstration of a lack of understanding concerning the possible effects of the proposed planning reforms. read more...

A new green building - the London School of Economics and Political Science’s (LSE) New Students’ Centre has achieved a BREEAM design rating of Outstanding, becoming only the 17th building worldwide, the first in higher education in London and the second establishment in higher education to achieve such a high standard of sustainability. read more...

Community energy and food projects are just some of the schemes which could be introduced in Harborough if a bid for a £1million green fund is successful. Transition Harborough and the Rural Community Council are hoping to gain the investment from the Big Lottery’s Communities Living Sustainably Fund. read more...

Volunteers have started to dismantle a major environmental project in the Peterborough whose long-term future remains unclear. However, as sections of The Green Backyard were pulled down its founders announced ambitions to build East Anglia’s first completely recycled community centre in the city. read more...

Hundreds of residents on a Milton Keynes estate are to benefit from funding to make their homes cleaner, greener, warmer, dryer and cheaper to heat. The Lakes Community Energy Saving Project (CESP) is a new scheme which will help fund vital ‘eco-upgrades’ to people’s homes – both council houses and privately owned or rented ones. read more...