Who is accountable in the building services industry for fighting the good green fight? This was one of many questions posed by HVCA chief executive Robert Higgs, who chaired a free for all debate on sustainable buildings at the start of the M&E exhibition on October 10-11.
The need for sustainable buildings fired up an audience of M&E professionals which included a small contingent of contractors, installers, trade body officials, a university professor, student and local government.

'We have a global energy and climate crisis in our hands' said Mr Higgs. 'Buildings account for 35% of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. 'Who is taking responsibility for sustainability in construction?

'I feel as if everyone is waiting for someone else to take the lead e.g. the client. It is M&E's power to actually do something about it'.

Of those gathered for the M&E debate at the Kensington Olympia exhibition halls, agreed with the comment that the pursuit of integrated energy systems was going to be the catalyst for M&E sustainability. The pressures of green legislation, fiscal and corporate social responsibility were highlighted as key drivers for change.

Audience members highlighted the skills gap present for sustainable technology. Approximately 80% of the skills deployed in sustainability comes from building services engineering. Bob Blake from Summit Skills said 'If people have the confidence that there is quality skilled people with skills, knowledge plus experience, they will pay for it'.

On the subject of getting people trained up, 'too little too late' was a reoccurring comment heard during the debate. BSRIA's Anne King said 'Lets stop the practice of bosses thinking they are not going to train staff up because the competition will poach our staff'.

The HVCA and ECA lamented over politician's inability to engage with the reality of the debate.

'The government keeps creating legislation for sustainability but I think they haven't got a clue as to whether we can. Do we even care to?

Both trade associations who recently joined forces to create an M&E sustainability group, highlighed the issue that there was a lot of focus on new buildings but not old buildings.

One building services engineer from Essex County Council complained that his will to implement change was present but no funding. Many in the audience spoke of a fear that sustainability would become an issue put in front of accountants to weigh up.

One woman when faced with having to cut her firm's energy use by 20% told the audience she had managed to save £10,500 a year for her company, (one of the top 20 users of electricity in the UK) just by turning the air-conditioning down.

David Pollack, ECA director said society should not 'rely on a green conscience'. 'The role of contractor ought to be how to meet green targets economically'. One key comment voiced during the debate was a reminder to all not to assume all green solutions are expensive ones.