Big Energy Saving Week: Navigating the Path to Sustainability
Contents |
[edit] What and when is the Big Energy Saving Week?
Big Energy Saving Week heralds an annual call to action, transcending mere discourse to ignite tangible change in our approach to energy consumption. It’s a time when communities, businesses, and individuals collectively focus on driving meaningful transformations towards sustainability.
At its core, this week catalyses education, awareness, and action. It’s a platform where innovative solutions, strategies, and best practices for energy conservation take centre stage. Amidst the global conversation around climate change and carbon emissions, the significance of this week amplifies, urging us to re-evaluate our relationship with energy and chart a course towards a more sustainable future.
The yearly event runs from January 15-21 in 2024
[edit] Efficiency path to sustainability
Creating a path to sustainability begins with understanding the pivotal role of energy efficiency in mitigating environmental impact. It’s a multifaceted endeavour that requires a holistic approach—one that encompasses not only reducing energy consumption but also embracing renewable sources, optimising technologies, and fostering a culture of conscious consumption.
Efficiency solutions pave this path, serving as the building blocks of a sustainable infrastructure. By optimising buildings, deploying smart HVAC strategies, integrating renewable energy sources, and adopting data-driven management systems, we forge a roadmap towards reduced energy dependence and lower carbon footprints.
[edit] Embodied life cycle efficiency
Furthermore, the selection of sustainable materials and conducting thorough lifecycle analyses in construction or renovation projects ensures that each step towards sustainability is conscientiously taken. These measures lay the groundwork for lasting, impactful change, minimising the environmental burden and maximising the efficiency of our built environment.
Amidst this journey towards sustainability, organisations like BSRIA stand as beacons of expertise and guidance. Our role extends beyond offering services; we strive to act as enablers, empowering stakeholders with in-depth analyses, technical insights, and tailored solutions that align with the overarching goal of energy efficiency and sustainability.
[edit] A paradigm shift
In essence, Big Energy Saving Week isn’t just an event—it’s a catalyst for a paradigm shift. It urges us to rethink our energy consumption patterns, fostering a collective responsibility to implement solutions that not only save costs but also safeguard our planet for generations to come.
This section of the article appears on the BSRIA blog site as 'Big Energy Saving Week: Navigating the Path to Sustainability' dated January 16 2024 and was written by Donna Toomey.
--BSRIA
For further information and material about the energy saving week and other campaigns visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/our-work/our-campaigns/awareness-raising-campaigns/
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Approved document L.
- BREEAM.
- BSRIA articles.
- BSRIA publishes Artificial Intelligence in Buildings white paper.
- Building Regulations.
- Climate change act.
- Energy efficiency of buildings.
- Energy performance certificates.
- Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
- New energy retrofit concept: ‘renovation trains’ for mass housing.
- Passivhaus.
- Performance gap.
- Renovation v refurbishment v retrofit.
- The code for sustainable homes.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.


























