Get Sust with NBS

The Prime Minister appointed a new Energy and Climate Change Secretary in February, so this month Get Sust with NBS reviews Ed Davey's early actions in office and the implications for future energy supplies and energy efficiency. Our news round-up covers energy efficiency "behaviours", raw materials for photovoltaics, the indoor air in low-carbon housing, and trends in energy management.

Please send any comments, ideas for articles or other feedback on Get Sust to Melanie.Thompson@theNBS.com . See also www.get-sust.com for further details and student-specific news.

February 2012

Featured article: New broom sweeps in at DECC

News roundup:

• The science of changing "energy behaviour"
• Lack of materials could affect future PV market
• Low-carbon housing and indoor air
• Controls top the US trends in green buildings

January 2012

Featured article: Long-haul thinking for building designers

News roundup:

• Home heating needs an overhaul
• Who cares about the environment, and why?
• Cost-effectiveness of renewables for homes
• Energy implications for rainwater harvesting
• Banging the drum for retrofit

December 2011

Featured article: Comfort for all: fantastic dream or emerging reality?

News roundup:

• Carbon spike puts embodied energy in the spotlight
• Winners and losers in the carbon game
• Taking sustainability to the next level
• Carbon Trust targets lighting

November 2011

Featured article: Tools for the sustainability trade – spotlight on environmental assessment systems

News roundup:

• Imagination, empathy, physicality – wise words on sustainability
• DECs prove their worth in more ways than one
• EPCs fail to deliver on energy efficiency

October 2011

Featured article: Simplification – it's complicated

News roundup:

• UK Green Building Council grapples the greenwash
• In the mix - the importance of emission factors
• Better behaviour improves energy efficiency
• Green Building Week - recommended viewing

September 2011

Editorial: Bringing it all back home

Featured article: Climate change gets a relaunch

News roundup:

• Unsustainable 'Shameful shoe box homes'
• Indoor discomfort: long-term effects
• FITs will work if we combat the cowboys
• Water matters: 'Yuk factor' and public loo campaign