The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and WRAP, the UK’s resource efficiency experts, have collaborated to produce new guidance on resource efficiency in the built environment.

TM56: Resource efficiency of building services was launched last week at the National Union for Students, Kings Cross, London.

It explores the impacts of building services in terms of manufacturing, construction, maintenance and disposing of the equipment at end of life. It also describes the principles and importance of resource efficiency and sets out the opportunities for improvement relating to heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and lifts and escalators.

In addition, the publication reflects the growing pressure on resources and the desire to shape resource-efficient and more circular economies. The potential business opportunities from construction are huge. New regulatory requirements and the increasing demand for lower impact products are forecast to grow the global sustainable building industry at an annual rate of 22.8% between now and 2017.

Head of products and services at WRAP, Sarah Clayton, said: 'What we build, how we build it and the products we use will come under enormous pressure to be energy efficient. However, it is important to focus on more than just energy efficiency; some products use more energy in the extraction of raw material and manufacturing process than they potentially save throughout their operation.'

Dave Cheshire of AECOM and lead author of TM56 said: “Focusing on energy efficiency alone can mean turning a blind eye to other environmental impacts, including mining in areas of water stress, extracting and processing scarce raw materials and the release of toxic chemicals at the end of a product’s life. The aim of TM56 is to get a better sense of perspective by considering options with both eyes open.”

The launch event was supported by AECOM and hosted by the National Union of Students (NUS). Jamie Agombar, ethical and environmental manager at the NUS, gave a talk about the range of innovative features that haves been incorporated into its new headquarters to improve building performance, including a world-first agreement with Philips to deliver the UK’s first pay per lux lighting model that operates as a cradle to cradle system. He also talked about the initiatives that the NUS is using to encourage university students across the UK to be more energy and resource efficient.

All of CIBSE’s published guidance, including TM56, is available free for members (or for purchase by non-members) by visiting the CIBSE Knowledge Portal.