Green for go

Glass Times editor Nathan Bushell explains how the industry’s favourite magazine continues to provide the most comprehensive coverage of the issues surrounding sustainability.

As we reflect on the recent COP26, which was held in Glasgow, I think it is fair to say that sustainability has never been more prominent in people’s thoughts.

For one, I am disappointed that it has taken us this long to reach this point.

Sixty years ago, the first provisions were made to control condensation in buildings. However, it wasn’t until the 1984 Building Act that the groundwork for Approved Document L was laid, which introduced a functional requirement to “make reasonable provision for the conservation of fuel and power”.

In 2002, the first reference to CO2 was made, and a year later the EU-driven Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) was adopted, which calculated whole-building carbon emissions for the first time.

And here we are today, with people gluing themselves to motorways because homes aren’t insulated to a high enough standard.

The opportunities for forward-thinking companies to offer truly sustainable products and services to building owners have never been greater.

Glass Times has always pushed the green message, both here and in print, with regular features appearing each month. In fact, as I scan my notes for the December issue, I can see that we have 11 pages of stories, articles and expert comment dedicated to the subject.

And we have three on this week’s newsletter: Liniar’s Chris Armes talks about changing our mindset; Pilkington UK’s Phil Brown explains how hydrogen will significantly reduce the embodied carbon in float glass; and FIT Show’s Nickie West looks at how sustainability will play a part in next year’s exhibition.