B&Q to launch One Planet Home in stores in October

Knowledge is power! Work out your eco-impact with our new One Planet Living Calculator and Action Plan

Most people want to live sustainably but aren't sure where to start or how far they need to go. Our calculator is based on solid research provided by Stockholm Environment Insitute who is a partner of the Global Footprint Network. BioRegional is also a partner of the Global Footprint Network so we are in a great position to be on top of the latest developments in Footprinting and make sure that our calculations give the full picture. Also, our calculator doesn’t just calculate your impact but also generates an Action Plan packed with practical things you can do to achieve One Planet Living.

If you visit the calculator now you’ll see the quick and easy version. We will be launching an in-depth, more personalised version in October. We plan to develop the service further with regular email coaching and more to help you shrink your Footprint.

Go online and get started! http://calculator.bioregional.com

Stunning show flat to open this month at 'One Brighton'

Register for the inaugural One Planet Living Conference - One Planet, One Day

On 3rd December 2008, BioRegional will host its inaugural public One Planet Living Conference in London. One Planet, One Day will bring together an international array of partners who are delivering cutting edge projects that apply the 10 principles of One Planet Living. The public day forms part of a 4 day conference and is aimed at those rising to the challenges of the 21st century by creating places, products and services which enable people to lead high quality lives within a sustainable ecological footprint.

Along with our partners we will present a series of case studies around our experience in delivering One Planet Living® communities and business. Each session will share the learning and challenges that practitioners are facing. Interactive discussion will be followed by a response from leading sustainability practitioners in the field.

Speakers will include:
• Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, Scientific Director of the Eden Project Cornwall
• Stephen Stone, CEO, Crest Nicholson
• Richard Simmons, Chief Executive, CABE

If you would like to register your interest for the event go to www.bioregional.com/oplevent2008. Tickets will go on sale from 22nd September.

BedZED 5 years on... new monitoring report shows massive energy and water reductions

BedZED first opened its doors to residents in March 2002. Now 5 years on our 2007 monitoring report reveals how residents have reduced their ecological impact through living in this internationally acclaimed eco-village in south London.

Written by BioRegional, the monitoring report will prove invaluable to construction industry professionals. The 43 page report monitors progress towards achieving significant reductions (compared to local and national averages) in water, electricity, space heating and fossil fuel car mileage.

“It is vital in order to assess the effectiveness of the development, identify areas for further improvement and highlight lessons that can be learnt and applied to future developments”, say the authors, Jessica Hodge and Julia Haltrecht.

BioRegional has been monitoring the development since 2002 and continues to share the results through tours and continuing professional development training (CPD).

The Monitoring Report 2007 summary is available to download for free from our website
Download summary
The full version is available for £4.00 from our online shop and is free when you purchase either part 1 or 2 of the BedZED Toolkits. http://www.bioregional.com/retail/customer/home.php

Gold's great, but we're going for green! Funding secured to help make London 2012 Games and Legacy the greenest ever

We are sure that the appointment of our new 2012 Project Manager, Jill Savery (pictured left), will help to bring about the progress that we need. Jill has the combined expertise of sustainability consulting and winning an Olympic Gold Medal in synchronised swimming!

During 2008-9, we will provide input to the 2012 legacy masterplanning framework and review progress against the One Planet Olympics bid commitments. We will continue to contribute real-life practical initiatives which demonstrate One Planet Living in action, which to date have included work on reclamation and construction materials, carbon footprinting, and integrating sustainability into venue designs. Find out more

One Planet Products' sustainable products service launches at House of Commons

Keep warm and stay green with BioRegional HomeGrown Firewood

When the weather turns wintry, a real log fire is guaranteed to bring a warm glow into your home. BioRegional’s HomeGrown® Firewood and Kindling offers carbon-neutral, high quality wood that won’t spit or smoke and is sold through B&Q stores. Real fire lovers can be happy in the knowledge that these products come from sustainably managed forests, help boost British wildlife and support the rural economy. No other fuel does so much good!

Sarah Mooney, BioRegional’s Firewood Manager said, ”The market is flooded with poor quality, unseasoned firewood harvested from softwood trees such as pine which burn too quickly, spit, smoke and clog up chimney flues. Our producers use the best firewood species, such as oak and ash, which are easy to light and burn steadily. We naturally dry our hardwood logs to give our customers the best possible ‘seasoned’ products for their fire.”

She also announced, “We have just launched our new website – www.bioregionalhomegrown.co.uk
– to tell you more about our quality wood products and the great people who make them! Visit the site and let us know what you think!”.

Work for BioRegional - Personal Assistant and Researcher to the Director

BioRegional is seeking a Personal Assistant and Researcher to the Director. This is a challenging and rewarding role for a business friendly environmentalist with a supportive and thorough approach.

Salary: £19,000 - £24,000 (depending on skills and experience)
Place of work: BedZED Centre, 24 Helios Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 7BZ. Nearest stations Hackbridge or Mitcham Junction.
Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week.

For more information and to apply for this post, please see: http://www.bioregional.com/jobs/PersonalAsstResDir.htm
Closing date for applications: 15th September 2008

Want to hear more? BioRegional talks coming up...

20th September 2008, 11:15-12:15
“100% Detail” green construction exhibition
Earls Court, London, UK
BioRegional's Co-Founder and Technical Director of One Planet Living, Pooran Desai, will sit on a seminar panel to discuss "Is sustainability about the environment, the community or the architecture?".
http://www.100percentdetail.co.uk

7th October, 21st October & 25th November
RIBA's International Dialogues: Architecture and Climate Change, in partnership with One Planet Living
RIBA, London, UK
This autumn's international programme of talks and symposia on climate change and the role of the built environment continues. Three keynote lectures by
Balkrishna Doshi, Sir Crispin Tickell and Lord Stern focus on urban issues that we must face to enable the transformation towards a low carbon world.
The talks are sponsored by Gleeds and are in association with Futerra.
http://www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/Home.aspx

5th – 8th November 2008
Seminar on Low Carbon Cities
Chongqing & Kunming, South West China
One Planet Living Communities Manager Harry Holmes, will deliver a Key Note Speech on Low Carbon Communities: the benefits of applying low carbon strategies in buildings, cities, and rural developments.
More details from: Zhu.Chen@fco.gov.uk