It’s not easy, being green – are green building certifications just greenwash?

Certifications like BREEAM and LEED have been lauded in sustainability circles, but just how much importance should be placed on them? If you’ve had any experience in the built environment,…

7 sustainability skills every built environment professional needs

With environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations tightening and penalties set to rise, businesses across the UK are in a race against time to decarbonise their operations by 2050. As…

The built environment needs sustainability leadership

If our sector is to successfully address its role in the climate crisis, we need leaders with sustainability expertise to drive and influence organisational change. The built environment’s impact on…

Understanding green building certifications: why should you get one?

More and more developers, businesses and homeowners are pursuing sustainability certification for their buildings, but is it actually worth it? The buildings our sector creates are at the centre of…

The criticism of ESG: why is it becoming controversial?

Despite their growing popularity, ESG policies and practices have attracted criticism from many. Here’s why. Profit and appetite for risk are no longer the sole factor considered in investment decisions. Amid…

A guide to ESG: what is it and why does it matter?

ESG has grown from a small CSR initiative into a global business priority and a multi-million-dollar industry. Here’s why it matters. The factors that determine success for a business have…

What is COP28 (and why is it so controversial)?

This year's global climate conference has been shrouded in controversy and debate from the outset. Here's everything you need to know. On 30 November, the United Nations will kick off…

What is embodied carbon (and what can we do about it)?

Reducing the amount of embodied carbon created in the construction process is one of the biggest challenges facing the built environment. The built environment has a pivotal role to play…

Climate change denial: 6 common myths, debunked

What are the biggest climate change denial myths, where do they come from, and how do they affect the built environment? In 2020, the United Nations (UN) declared a climate…

The pros and cons of carbon offsetting: is it just another form of greenwashing?

Is carbon offsetting actually having a positive impact on the environment, or is it just another way businesses avoid taking real action? Sustainability is in a state of transition. As…

Building climate competency: how UCEM is leading the way in professional sustainability education

A key ethos of UCEM’s Vision & Strategy to 2025 is to work collaboratively with those across the built environment sector, and part of this is to help shape major…

UCEM INSPIRE: net zero building and biodiversity for a sustainable future

This article is the fifth in our series of posts covering our second INSPIRE event this summer. Read our previous piece on sustainability leadership here - UCEM INSPIRE: experts define…