CHELTENHAM: Eco-friendly heating materials could benefit from government efforts to raise the proportion of the nation's power derived from renewable resources said building materials analyst AMA Research.

LEICESTER: Leading the way for sustainable business, Ibstock has been awarded the ‘very good’ rating in its recent factory assessment for the responsible sourcing standard, BES 6001.

UK: Business groups have branded the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) energy-efficiency scheme 'complex and costly'.

LONDON: B&Q is one of several retailers recruited to advise the Government on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

WALES: A project to refurbish six former Welsh miners’ houses into sustainable and desirable modern homes was launched today by Jane Davidson, AM, Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing.

UK: All aircrete manufactured in Great Britain by Aircrete Product Association (APA) members is now certified to BES6001:2008 Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products.

WIRRAL: BuilderScrap is launching a membership programme designed especially for builders’ merchants which will allow suppliers to pass on slow moving or returned stock to their local community, thus saving on storage and/or disposal, as well as allowing them to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and the industry.

UK/SWEDEN: As a direct result of Buildbase customers joining SCA's paperless invoicing scheme, around 10 750 trees – enough to cover almost six football pitches – are currently being planted by SCA Timber in the Buildbase Lifecycle Forest area on SCA land at Ljusåsen in central Sweden.

GREATER MANCHESTER: Over 100 builders attended a special training and awareness day hosted by Jewson and the Energy Savings Trust in Stockport this week. The day is part of a national programme of events to give builders, developers and architects all the information they need to meet the challenges of building more sustainably.

UK: The humble construction site cabin is set for a makeover as part of a ambitious plan to cut the carbon footprint of sites by 15% within the next two years.

LONDON: Climate change secretary Chris Huhne yesterday demanded that energy suppliers work harder to insulate lofts and walls.

CAERPHILLY: Nuaire has become the first ventilation manufacturer in the UK to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard, an award for organisations that can provide evidence of measuring, manufacturing and reducing their carbon footprint against the strictest criteria.

MEASHAM: Hanson has gained a commendation in the Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) awards for its low energy, zero waste, soft mud brick factory at Measham in Leicestershire.

MADRID: The first international Solar Decathlon Europe Competition in Madrid has come to a close, with the Nottingham H.O.U.S.E (Home Optimising the Use of Solar Energy) finishing in 15th place overall.