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The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
UK schools and offices not equipped for impact of global heating, report warns
The UK's schools, care homes and offices are not equipped for the effects of global heating and face lengthy heatwaves even in optimistic scenarios, according to a groundbreaking report that calls for climate resilience to be declared a national emergency. The report by the UK Green Building Council also predicts that towns including Peterborough and Fairbourne will be uninhabitable by the end of the century because of flooding. Produced over two years, the roadmap sets out a blueprint for action and warns that without the adaptation of millions of buildings, there will be increased injury, health impacts, deaths and untold economic damage. Five key threats are examined by the roadmap: overheating, wildfires, flooding, drought and storms. Detailed thermodynamic modelling on school buildings reveals that schools across London and the south-east will face 10 weeks of extreme heat a year – defined as 28C and above – in a low-warming scenario, defined as 2C above preindustrial levels. The world is on track for 2.7C of heating. The roadmap modelling warns that 6m houses and flats in London and the south-east will face three weeks above 28C a year in the same low-warming scenario, causing economic damage from reduced productivity of employees, and health threats to vulnerable and older people. Care homes in London and the south-east, where residents are extremely vulnerable, will be face temperatures above 28C for four weeks a year in the low-warming scenario, the roadmap predicts. Ordinary offices where the productivity of millions of workers is key to economic growth, are also woefully underprepared for the onslaught of extreme weather now and in the years to come, the report says. The modelling says modern buildings are more vulnerable to overheating than older ones because they have larger areas of glass and are of a more lightweight construction. Adaptation measures for buildings could include the use of solar shading and replacing regular glass with solar glass. So-called passive adaptation is recommended before things such as air conditioning, which increase energy usage and emissions. 'It is within our power to design buildings and cities that are safer, more comfortable and resilient to the impacts of the changing climate, and it is vitally important that we act now to do so,' the roadmap says. The report, which is launched on Thursday, calls for: The appointment of a minister for resilience within the Cabinet Office A new legal objective to ensure all planning decisions deliver climate safety. A more ambitious future homes standard to protect against increasing climate hazards – overheating, flooding and water scarcity. A comprehensive retrofit strategy to make homes and buildings climate safe. The protection of all communities with trees, parks and ponds. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion The government's new planning and infrastructure bill does not include a mandate to make buildings climate safe from overheating, flooding, wildfires or droughts. It has been criticised for placing too much emphasis on growth rather than the green environment. London tops a list of the cities and towns most vulnerable to wildfires, drought and flooding, with Birmingham and Manchester second and third most at risk, according to the analysis. The flood impact on the town of Peterborough will make it uninhabitable by the end of the century, the analysis says. In Wales, the town of Fairbourne, which sits between Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) and the Irish Sea, will also be uninhabitable as a result of flooding and sea-level rises. Simon McWhirter, the chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, said the roadmap starkly illustrated the threats of a changing climate and said the response could not be delayed. Calling for the appointment of a minister for resilience within the Cabinet Office, he said: 'The UK is not ready for the extreme weather events of today, even less so for the hotter, wetter and wilder climate that is already racing down the track at us. Our homes, schools, hospitals, parks and offices are on the frontline, protecting and nurturing us. We need a fundamental rethink … if we are to help protect people and our way of life.'
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lazard moves to new UK headquarters in Manchester Square
Lazard, a US-based financial advisory and asset management firm, has moved to its new regional headquarters in London, UK. The firm is leaving its previous location in 50 Stratton Street, following a twenty-year presence. Initially announced in 2022, the new premises will incorporate Lazard's financial advisory and asset management businesses. Located at 20 Manchester Square, the new seven-story site spans over 7,300sqm and is ideally situated near major hubs in the city. The new building features modern office space focused on innovation and sustainability. It utilises renewable energy through solar panels and features a rainwater harvesting system. The building was constructed according to the UK Green Building Council's net-zero carbon emissions framework. The investment in a new, larger office signifies Lazard's commitment to London as a leading financial centre globally. It is set to become an integral part of the firm's European presence as one of its three key global offices, alongside New York and Paris. Cyrus Kapadia, co-head of European investment banking and CEO of the UK financial advisory team, remarked that the move to the new site underscored the firm's deep-rooted heritage in London. 'We have been successfully growing our European teams and network to further support our clients globally,' he added. Jeremy Taylor, CEO of Lazard UK asset management, stated that the new site reflected the firm's values and vision. 'This new UK headquarters embodies our dedication to continue to best serve the needs of our clients,' he added. According to a GlobalData report, Lazard ranked among the top 10 M&A financial advisers in South and Central America for H1 2024. Over the past couple of years, Lazard announced investments in Austria, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. "Lazard moves to new UK headquarters in Manchester Square" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
