The ‘code red’ alert from last month’s IPCC report and the increasing number of wildfires and flash floods that countries across the world have been subjected to over the summer months have illustrated the stark, bleak reality of climate change. For the construction industry, these environmental catastrophes and the recently-revealed report are set to bring home the scale of climate change and make room for further eco-friendly headway within the sector. What’s more, with the Environmental Bill due for release before the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November, construction and architectural professionals are sitting tight, anticipating details on the replacement of EU-derived environmental policymaking and legislation prior to supplementary conclusions from COP26.

In this month’s issue, we talk to Matt Bradley, Business Development Director for Specification, Civils & Landscape at Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation, about the imminent Environmental Bill and what it means for water resources. Here, he touches on systems that are more comparable to what we see in natural environments, scans the Biodiversity Net Gain factor of the bill and explores the prospective of, ultimately, mitigating the effects of climate change. To read the full article, flick to page 18.

Elsewhere, Brett North, Owner of SolSeed Landscapes, investigates one method of bridging the gap between humans and their detachment from nature. In this piece, Brett voices how edible landscaping can play an important role in bringing nature into urban built environments. Turn to page 24 to find out how you can incorporate edible landscaping into your next project and to learn more about how this technique can enrich your designs.

ON THE COVER:
Online banking services provider for cryptocurrencies, XAPO, has recently commissioned design practice Lagranja to create its flagship headquarters. 

Rebecca Kemp
Editor

rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk