UK Showcases Green Building Experience to North American Market

04/10/2011 No comments

Toronto, Cananda (October 4 - 7, 2011) - The United Kingdom’s considerable track-record of expertise and leadership in the green building sector is demonstrated this week through the presence of several British companies and organizations at the annual Greenbuild Conference and Expo. The companies – including the UK Trade & Investment’s largest ever Greenbuild delegation of ten organizations – represent the country’s deep capabilities in sustainable building practices ranging from design and architecture to construction and environmental assessment.

"The UK’s ambitious low-carbon and energy efficiency objectives have created a dynamic business environment driving British firms to develop and deploy innovative technologies and approaches towards achieving sustainably built environments,” said Michael Rosenfeld, UK Trade & Investment, Vice Consul – US Clean Technology Sector. “As the rest of the world advances its own green building industries, there is a strong recognition that the know-how of the UK is a valuable resource to draw upon and collaborate with.”

Great Britain – which has established a target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 80 percent by 2050 – has proven an ideal partner in growing low-carbon markets throughout Canada and North America.

“The UK has originated new technologies, approaches and hands-on experience in the sustainable building industry that can benefit the continuing growth of the North American market and its companies,” said Steve Williamson, a principal and building services expert for UK-based Buro Happold, a leading international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy with offices in the UK and US. The consultancy has delivered its sustainable solutions to renowned North American projects such as New York City’s High Line Park and the new US Institute of Peace in Washington DC.

During Greenbuild, Buro Happold will discuss how the consultancy developed an innovative approach to enable a key client to achieve its extensive sustainable business targets, as well as present sessions regarding: cost issues of sustainability in the developing world; analysis of a living building; sustainability education in architecture schools; and the next version of LEED.

“Sustainability is core to Buro Happold’s offering and we are joining other British companies to share these values, as well as the knowledge built and the lessons learned from our country’s deep history in planning, design and constructing sustainable-focused built environments,” said Williamson.

The UK has also facilitated the implementation of green building standards throughout North America. For example, London-based Sefaira, a developer of sustainable design software, has partnered with the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Automation program to provide a web-based platform for whole building energy analysis and application of energy load reduction strategies. The company has also provided its green building analysis and design software to numerous US-based architecture firms and now holds an office in New York City.

“Partnerships like these between the UK and North America are creating long-term platforms for growth in the green building sector and opening channels for innovation and solutions that can be applied globally,” said Mads Jensen, CEO, Sefaira.

British companies are also collaborating with cities in North America to create sustainably built environments and communities. For example, Cyclepods, based in Kent, England, worked with city planners in Barrie, Ontario to install fourteen of its zero-carbon, 100 percent recycled bike parking pods, which contribute to meeting green building codes and standards.

“The UK’s innovations and determination to achieve sustainably built environments – across the green building supply chain – are generating dynamic business opportunities and avenues of collaboration between the UK and North America as both regions progress their low-carbon economies,” added Rosenfeld of UK Trade & Investment.

UK Trade & Investment – alongside its ten UK delegate organizations including Sefaira and Cylepods – are located at booth #6753 in the South Hall during Greenbuild 2011. For more information contact Helen Hemmingsen, UK Trade & Investment, Trade Officer at (416) 593 1290 x 2242, (416) 825 2334 (mobile) or Helen.Hemmingsen@fconet.fco.gov.uk.

UK Trade & Investment will also be providing insights and interaction from Greenbuild 2011 through its Twitter account @UKTI_cleantech.