Will COP27 signal the end of fossil fuel subsidies?

WOBO welcomes the reminder from edie in respect of fuels and their use. Investors managing some $39trn of assets are calling on governments to set clearer and stronger plans for phasing out fossil fuels at COP27, with a similar call to action being made by...

Scotland: Building Standards Futures Board Blog – Update on the Seven Workstreams

WOBO thanks the Scottish Government for the links taking place to their Building Standards. The Building Standards Futures Board (FB) was established in May 2019 by the then Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Kevin Stewart MSP, to provide guidance and direction on making transformative changes...

Government launches scheme to punish developers who fail to fix dangerous cladding

WOBO thanks INSIDE HOUSING for the link to their article. The government has launched a scheme that will punish developers who fail to fix dangerous cladding by refusing them planning permission for new homes. The scheme, which came into law on 1 September as part...

BESA updates guidance on fire dampers after finding critical number of incorrect installations

WOBO welcomes industry feedback for the avoidance of problems. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has issued an interim technical bulletin (VH001) ahead of a full update to its guidance after finding a significant number of problems with the installation of fire dampers. The Building...

New simultaneous evacuation guidance for purpose-built blocks of flats

WOBO thanks IFSEC GLOBAL for the links to the article by Ron Alalouff. Ron Alalouff highlights some of the main provisions of the new edition of simultaneous evacuation guidance for purpose-built blocks of flats, published by the National Fire Chiefs’ Council.   The guidance seeks...

Australia: Energy Efficiency – The Stage 2 Preview of NCC 2022 is now available!

WOBO thanks the Australian Building Codes Board for their update in terms of energy efficiency and the new legislation coming into force. Preview of Energy Efficiency Provisions The Stage 2 Preview of NCC 2022 is now available! You can now download a copy of the...

England: Implementing the new Building Control Regime for Higher-Risk buildings and wider changes to the building regulations for all buildings.

WOBO notes the proposed regulatory changes for high risk buildings and buildings in general. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has just published two important consultations about the new building safety regime: Implementing the new Building Control Regime for Higher-Risk buildings and wider...

Defra makes moves to cut air pollution, but councils warn they ‘aren’t ambitious enough’

WOBO recognises the need to control air pollution. The UK Government is mandating that England’s highways authority works more closely with local councils to help reduce air pollution, but has refrained from strengthening widely-criticised targets on air pollution. In a move announced 18 August 2022,...

Reports: Logging and fires causing high levels of forest loss in the Amazon and beyond

WOBO recognises the need to protect our natural environment and the limited resources available. Brazil’s national space research institute has tracked levels of deforestation broadly consistent with last summer, when levels hit a 15-year high. Elsewhere, researchers in the US have documented a doubling of...

UK: Ladder Conference – Thursday 20 October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon

WOBO supports safety and the issues of working at height, and the support provided by the Ladder Association. The Ladder Association are delighted to announce REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for their 2022 Ladder Conference, which will take place on Thursday 20 October at the Crowne...

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