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Environment Matters

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Environment Matters - 2011 back issues

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Aardvark Team News

Headlines from 09 February 2012 FiTs announcement

Headlines from 09 February 2012 FiTs announcement: Tariffs for non-PV schemes to reduce on 01 October 2012, not 01 Apri lPost 01 April 2012, all PV schemes grid-connected through a building must present the EPC…more

Environmental Permits

It’s the Permitting season again and the Aardvark team is involved in a tranche of permitting work from airports to slurry lagoons for the new NVZ regulatory compliance. For all permitting enquiries please email…more

Environment Matters - 2012 back issues

Aardvark_EM_Newsletter_Edition_173.pdf
Published:13.01.12 | File Size: 60Kb

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Happy Christmas from the Aardvark team

From all the Aardvark Team we wish you a Happy Christmas and the very best for 2012 This year, we have again decided to send the best cartoons of 2011 relating to the environment in place of…more

Renewable Heat Incentive finally open for applications

Businesses and communities across Britain will from Monday be able to apply for a heat tariff payment, ushering in a new era of clean green heat technology, Greg Barker said today. The world’s first Renewable Heat…more

Sustainable camping scheme gets go ahead

A new concept in sustainable camping has received planning permission. Jon & Daniel May received planning consent for 7 sustainable tents on their farm on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly that will be self sufficient…more

Landowners seek planning consent ahead of Solar PV Feed-in-Tariff cuts

Aardvark are working with a number of landowners on securing planning consent and commissioning Solar PV schemes by 12 December 2011 ahead of the Government’s latest fast track review of the Feed-in-Tariff scheme.…more

Solar PV Feed in Tariff - 2nd fast-track review

As predicted a second fast-track review within 12mths of the solar PV FIT has been announced by the Government, with changes to tariffs due to come into force for installations completed and registered after 12th…more

NVZs - deadline for compliance looms

Farmers within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) need to be compliant with the regulations by 1st January 2012. This includes having adequate slurry storage, adhering to closed period and having completed records. Failure…more

Aardvark secures planning consent for wind turbine

Aardvark has secured planning consent on behalf of Philip Dennis Food Services for a wind turbine at their site at Mullacott Cross near Ilfracombe in North Devon. The 800kw turbine will generate sufficient renewable…more

Changes to EPCs

The Department of Communities and Local Government has announced that changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations governing the production of energy performance certificates (EPCs) will not now come into…more

Changes to Environmental Permits

Our Environmental Management team is advising clients on Environmental Permitting as Paragraph 9, 10, 12 and 19 exemptions for non-agricultural waste activities on non-agricultural land become obsolete from 1 October…more

Aardvark in India

Mark Clayton, Managing Director of Aardvark is currently on a fact finding and research trip to India looking at the performance of biogas engines for potential use in the UK micro renewable energy market.…more

Aardvark makes changes to the Board

Magnus Mowat, Non-Executive Chairman and John Stace, Non-executive Deputy Chairman have stepped down from the Board of Aardvark EM Limited after 8 years advising the business and sold their shareholdings back to the Company.…more

Improving energy efficiency to reduce CRCEES carbon tax liability

Aardvark has been appointed by a leading UK property company to undertake a review of their UK property portfolio to improve energy efficiency to reduce their CRCEES (Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme)…more

Corporates look for more from renewable energy

Aardvark has seen a corporate shift in approach to harnessing natural resources on their operational and investment sites for the generation of renewable energy. Nick Leaney, head of the Planning & Development division…more

DECC announces changes to CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme

Whilst the Aardvark Energy and Carbon team are currently in the six week window of supplying accurate data on clients CRC qualifying energy uses ahead of the July 31st deadline for submission, DECC has announced the latest…more

Aardvark secures planning consent for Solar PV schemes

The Aardvark Planning & Development team has been successful in securing two further planning consents for standalone Solar PV developments ahead of the Government's deadline for the early review of the large scale…more

Aardvark has Solar PV success

Ahead of the Government's proposed changes to the Feed in Tariff for large scale Solar PV schemes, Aardvark has secured Planning Permission for a 245kWp solar PV scheme on 0.7ha of a green-field which contains Iron…more

Date for end of large scale solar PV tariffs looms

Aardvark has submitted planning applications for three ground mounted solar PV installations totaling 2MWp in order to beat the 1 August cut off date when the Government is proposing to withdraw the feed in tariff for large…more

Aardvark extends airport contract

The Aardvark Environmental Management team has added Southampton Airport to their contract from British Airports Authority to provide agronomy advice in addition to the service already delivered at Heathrow, Gatwick and…more

Did the Government deliver a Green Budget?

Carbon taxes Carbon price floor – The Government announced a floor price for carbon in the power sector from 01 April 2013 to target a price for carbon of £30 per tonne of carbon dioxide in 2020. The floor…more

Renewable Heat Incentive announced

The Government has announced its long awaited Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme to support the adoption of renewable energy technology for the generation of heat in the domestic and non-domestic markets. This…more

Government unveils deep cuts to Feed-in Tariff

DECC has published proposals for consultation to reduce the financial support for larger-scale solar installations under the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme. Under the proposals, solar installations with a capacity…more

Aardvark saves client £48,000 in energy bills

Using the Carbon Guerrilla carbon accounting software, the Aardvark Carbon & Energy team has found £48,000 of over-billing in last quarter of 2010 by energy companies during an annual carbon audit for a client…more

Aardvark helps Diocese of London’s approach to reducing its carbon footprint

The Church of England Diocese of London is working with the Aardvark team to lower churches’ energy use and carbon footprint, as part of the Church of England’s national Shrinking the Footprint campaign.…more

UK Government announces fast track review of the Feed-in Tariffs

Following the announcement on 7 February of the review of the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs), further detail is starting to emerge of the governments intentions for revising the renewable energy incentive scheme.…more

Aardvark opens London office

Aardvark has opened its first London office to build on our growing reputation for the delivery of innovative projects through independent, impartial and practical advice for clients. The business will continue…more

Aardvark delivers due diligence on AD scheme

The Aardvark Carbon and Energy team has been appointed by a leading UK bank to undertake due diligence and operational risk assessment on an Anaerobic Digestion plant in Devon. Aardvark are continuing to provide an independent…more

Shopping Centre Advised on Waste Reduction

Aardvark has advised the Liverpool ONE shopping centre on the tender of their waste contract following an extensive review of waste management services to increase their recycling rates in a move towards reaching…more

Aardvark Renewable Energy Seminar

Run to the Sun - The Renewables Jigsaw  Aardvark has teamed up with Old Mill Accountants and Everys solicitors to present a one-stop shop seminar on the opportunities for renewable energy in the South West. The…more

Aardvark win more Wind & Solar work in SW

Aardvark’s Planning & Development and Carbon & Energy teams have had further success, winning project work in delivering large scale On-shore Wind and Solar PV projects up to 5MW. The team is now currently involved…more

Aardvark expands team

Aardvark has made two appointments to their environmental consultancy team based in the Taunton office. Jon Pettitt joins the Planning & Development team advising on contaminated land and flood risk matters. …more

Aardvark to advise on North Devon Wind Turbine Project

The Aardvark team has been appointed by a West Country food manufacturer to submit a planning application for a wind turbine on a site in North Devon. Once operational, the turbine will deliver up to 60% of the energy…more

Spending review hits CRC participants

The spending review announced by the Chanellor today set out changes to the CRC legislation. The withdrawal of the recycling payments and delay in the first trading year of allowances to 2012 puts more emphasis on companies…more

Environmental Consultant Wanted - Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

Aardvark has a full time fiexted term position available for an Environemntal consultant as cover for maternity leave from November 2010 to August 2011.

See our Team page for further details

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CRC deadline reached

The Aardvark team has successfully registered clients ahead of the CRCEES deadline of the end of September. The team are now working with the clients to prepare the evidence packs and data using the Carbon Guerrilla…more

Aardvark launches Carbon Guerrilla

Aardvark in a joint venture with private investors has launched Carbon Guerrilla, a cloud based software platform allowing companies and organisations to undertake carbon accounting, tracking and trading online. The…more

Team Secretary/Administrative Assistant Vacancy

We are looking for a full time team secretary/Administrative Assistant to join our young, friendly Somerset based team. We are looking for a bright, confident and motivated individual who has excellent attention to detail…more

BPM Media awarded a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM Rating

BPM Media has been awarded a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM Rating for the fit out of their new offices in Fort Dunlop, the iconic Birmingham building redeveloped by Urban Splash. Aardvark advised BPM Media alongside…more

Aardvark gets Rock 'n' Roll

The Aardvark Energy & Carbon team has undertaken an Energy Performance assessment of the Hard Rock Café store on London's Park lane. This is one of a number of EPC assessments that have been undertaken recently…more

Waste Management review yields 20% uplift in recycling

Aardvark has undertaken a waste management plan review of a major UK shopping centre to highlight opportunities to increase recycling rates as part of a long term strategy of achieving zero landfill.  Improvements…more

Aardvark successfully complete the first Agricultural EIA for Physical Restructuring in England.

Aardvark successfully complete the first Agricultural Environmental Impact Assessment for Physical Restructuring in England. Churston Court Farm proposed to raise 40 ha of agricultural land, using locally sourced…more

Aardvark Project wins Green Apple Award

The Liverpool ONE, Grosvenor Fund Management’s shopping centre has been presented a National Gold Award at the Green Apple Awards held by the Green Association for the biodiesel project set up by Aardvark EM Limited.…more

Aardvark secures more contracts for CRCEES due diligence and footprint reporting

Aardvark has secured more contracts for CRCEES due diligence and footprint reporting. We have noticed since starting work on a number of CRC schemes that clients still seem unaware of the September deadline for…more

Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme

For those that might need to comply under the new Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, Aardvark is now registered as an Agent and is providing the registration, evidence pack, data entry/management…more

Innovation at Urban Splash's Lakeshore development

Following the recommencement of its Lakeshore development in Bristol, Urban Splash has instructed Aardvark to oversee the design and construction of an innovative in-lake stream bypass and submit the application…more

UK Government - Feed-In Tariff scheme

Aardvark has completed a study on the gas yields and returns from electricity generation under the new Feed-In Tariff scheme for 30 differing feedstocks. The study notes that for cattle slurry the expected revenue…more

Aardvark wins more Environmental Permitting Work

The Aardvark Environmental Management team has successfully won six new environmental permitting instructions relating to waste and energy from waste projects. The Environmental Permitting regime requires operators to…more

Open Air Classroom proposed in Somerset

A study is underway by the Aardvark team to assess the conservation merits and leisure potential of a former landscape park near Taunton, Somerset as a new area of public open space and as an open air classroom to…more

Aardvark wins NVZ appeal in Taunton

Aardvark's appeal to DEFRA that groundwater under a farm near Taunton, Somerset should not have been identified by the Environment Agency as being polluted and so designated as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone has been…more

Mixed Response to Feed In Tariff Scheme (FITS) Announcement

There has been a mixed response to Monday’s announcement of the Government’s Feed-in Tariffs. Aardvark who has been working closely with the South West Dairy sector on opportunities in renewable energy was…more

Aardvark develop NVZ Guidance Tool for NFU

Aardvark alongside the NFU in the South West has developed an NVZ Guidance Tool after NFU members asked for a quick and easy way to gauge how the NVZ regulations will affect their farm. The tool should be the first…more

British Red Cross retains Aardvark carbon management services

The British Red Cross Society have instructed Aardvark to provide continued carbon management support prior to the lead up of CRC for 2010. The RC who is committed to reduce their carbon footprint in the services they…more

Aardvark wins NVZ designation appeal

Aardvark's appeal to DEFRA that groundwater under a farm near Harpenden should not have been identified by the Environment Agency as being polluted and so designated as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone has been…more

The price is not right

The UK’s commercial property sector is struggling – and things could get worse. So when will sustainable buildings start being valued properly? As Aardvark reports, valuers, landlords and tenants all need…more

Oil’s well at Liverpool One as Grosvenor launches new initiative

Grosvenor has installed an innovative bio-diesel processor at Liverpool ONE, its award-winning £1 billion retail-led regeneration of Liverpool city centre, in a move that will save more than 53,000…more

NHS Greenhouse Gas emissions

Aardvark has been instructed to deliver a Greenhouse Gas emissions inventory for the NHS Dorset portfolio of assets and establish accounting and reporting framework procedures to comply with the requirements…more

Aardvark heads to the seaside

Aardvark has been instructed as part of a project team to advise on the masterplanning for the redevelopment and expansion of Butlins in Bognor Regis. The prominent seafront site presents a number of challenges…more

Carbon Facts - Issue 5

Welcome to CRC Facts Aardvark's series of key updates on the Carbon Reduction Commitment The Registration Pack documents have now been published by the Environment Agency.  The complexity of complying with the…more

Biomass Boilers for Schools

Aardvark will be preparing, for a SW Local Authority an application to the SALIX interest-free loan scheme to finance the replacement of oil boilers with biomass boilers at 2 secondary…more

Aardvark Autumn CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Seminars

Aardvark this year will be running it's annual Autumn seminar series on the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. Tuesday 3rd November, Taunton "CRC Compliance"  Aardvark / SW NHS Health Estates Facilites…more

Carbon Facts - Issue 4

Welcome to CRC Facts Aardvark's series of key updates on the Carbon Reduction Commitment Policy decisions from DECC have been announced and, at last, the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme…more

Are you ready for the CRC?

Over the last two weeks Aardvark has been running Carbon Reduction Commitment seminars for clients across the UK, highlighting that it is now just over 6months until the scheme start date in April 2010.…more

London lake remediation

The Aardvark environmental management team has been instructed to undertake an investigation to determine the potential source of contamination of a lake in south east London that has been attributed to a…more

New Code for Sustainable Homes instruction

Aardvark is advising CityWest Homes and Kemp Muir Wealleans architects as the Code for Sustainable Homes assessor for an innovative residential scheme in West London. The scheme proposes to…more

Aardvark wins AD study contract

Aardvark has won a contract to deliver a report on the “Economic Modelling of Low Tech, Low Cost Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas Installations in a Range of Rural Scenarios in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly…more

Carbon Facts - Issue 3

C arbon Reduction – Commercial Returns Welcome to Issue 3 of Carbon Facts - Aardvark's regular series of key updates on the  Carbon Reduction Commitment. Summary The Carbon Reduction…more

Ecology Team update

The Aardvark team has recently finished badger, reptile and bat surveys at a residential development site in Dorset in order to discharge conditions attached to the planning consent. The team is…more

Biofuel

Aardvark has updated their bespoke Business Model for setting up commercial reprocessing of waste vegetable oil to biodiesel for use in vehicles which can be up and running within 2 months of receiving…more

Aardvark Carbon Facts - Issue 2

The Carbon Reduction Commitment roll out has begun; organisations with half-hourly meters have had notification from the Environment Agency. The scheme will come into force on 1st April 2010. The threshold…more

Aardvark Carbon Facts - Issue 1

Welcome to CRC Facts - Aardvark's regular series of key updates on the Carbon Reduction Commitment.  The Carbon Reduction Commitment is moving through its final consultation phase and will come into force on 1st…more

Aardvark flies a blimp as part of a Wind Turbine project

  The Aardvark team flew their blimp at a proposed wind turbine site this week to provide a height reference point for both the local planning authority and the local residents in order to assess any potential…more

Flood Risk and SuDS Strategies

Aardvark is continuing to see increased flood risk consultancy work arising from the stricter interpretation by the EA of the guidance set out in PPS25 regarding development and flood risk. In particular,…more

BREEAM Instruction

A French logistics company has appointed Aardvark as sustainability consultant to the design team for a new 250,000 sqft warehouse scheme and 40,000 head office in Swindon. The scheme will be benchmarked against the…more

New TC2 projects

Aardvark has been appointed by top 15 international law firm Ashurst LLP to deliver their carbon footprint and set up monthly emissions KPI reporting using Aardvark’s software, TC2 .…more

NVZ Appeals submitted

The Aardvark Environmental Management team has been working alongside farmers and the NFU in preparing additional evidence to support NVZ (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) appeals related to both groundwater and surface water…more

Expanded Protected Species Survey Service

The Aardvark Ecology team has had the busiest closed season ever securing contracts with a value equivalent to 40% of those undertaken during the entire last open season. The team is now gearing up to provide…more

Church appoints Aardvark

Aardvark has been appointed to undertake a survey of 73 central London churches on behalf of the Diocese of London to examine each church’s environmental performance and impact in relation to energy…more

Energy Performance Certificates

Property owners, professionals and consultants should be aware that the recent legislation bringing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) into force in the UK for all commercial property transactions also…more

IPPC for Food Producer

The Aardvark Environmental Management team has been commissioned by a major food manufacturer based near Cambridge to undertake an environmental audit of their operation to comply with the Pollution Prevention…more

Aardvark Weather Station

The Aardvark weather station is now available online providing real time weather conditions and data. The weather station enables the Aardvark team to respond to changing climatic conditions and how they might impact…more

Aardvark gets go ahead for BREEAM & EPC Project

Aardvark has been appointed as the BREEAM consultant for the proposed development of the new IT/Telecoms Hub at Musgrove Park Hospital. The local NHS Trust is targeting an excellent BREEAM rating for the scheme which…more

Sustainable Waste Management

Aardvark’s innovation in sustainable waste management continues with further projects using our G-Tube and Mobile Reedbed technologies.  The G-tubes, used for de-watering and treatment of lake and watercourse…more

Carbon Management

Carbon can be an effective business management tool when used correctly.  Knowing how much GHG emission relate to your business and how you can reduce these to save money is a key requirement in making bottom…more

Office Specification Review

Aardvark has been instructed to undertake a review of an office refurbishment specification on behalf of a tenant who is challenging the eco-credentials of the landlord’s proposed specification of works. The London…more

Autumn Seminar Series

Aardvark has lined up two autumn seminar dates aimed at helping businesses in the development and construction industry through the environmental legislative and regulatory processes. On the 16 th October Aardvark are…more

Code for Sustainable Homes, EPCs & BREEAM

Aardvark has added the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) accreditations to BREEAM as part of our commitment to deliver up to date sustainable development advice to clients. With…more

Renewable Signage

Aardvark has been commissioned to advise global Investment Management Company, Northern Trust, on how they can light the signage on their Canary Wharf building using renewable energy generated from on-site technology. …more

BREEAM assessment instruction won at Fort Dunlop

Aardvark has been instructed to undertake the BREEAM assessment of a 53,000 sq ft floor in the famous Fort Dunlop Building, Birmingham on behalf of an occupier currently fitting it out for office use. The building, formally…more

Aardvark trials mobile AD plant

Aardvark has developed a mobile anaerobic digestion plant which will be able to provide real time data about the gas yield and quality of high strength liquid wastes; providing robust analysis for feasibility studies considering…more

Andy Olie joins Aardvark Board

Andy Olie has joined the Aardvark Board as a Non-Executive Director. Up until 2006 Andy was Managing Director of Wyvern Waste Services Limited and has considerable experience in the waste sector, in operations, management…more

Flood Risk Assessment

Aardvark has recently completed two flood risk assessments for two very different developments. The first site in Somerset involved the construction of two new all weather sports pitches for a private school, which was…more

Aardvark adds two to the team

Aardvark have added two new members to their team at Higher Ford. Phil Cookson joins Aardvark to help develop the firm’s growing sustainable property development work. He previously worked as sustainability and…more

Due diligence site investigation

Aardvark has been instructed to undertake a contaminated land site investigation as part of the due diligence process for a refinancing deal.  The site which comprises a disused village tip dating back to the 1950s…more

1.3 MWe Anaerobic Digestion Facility proposed

Aardvark has been instructed to undertake the feasibility appraisal, design and planning and permitting advice for a new 1.3 MWe Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility.  The facility will be fed by an existing effluent…more

Aardvark wins London Heathrow T5 contract

Aardvark has been instructed by BAA to provide site waste management services and support for the new T5 Terminal at Heathrow Airport which is due to start operating at the end of March 2008

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Exmoor Bracken - Logo Winner Announced

Aardvark has announced the winner of their design a logo competition for the Exmoor Bracken Composting Project. Michael Ward of St Michael’s C of E First School in Minehead, Somerset came up with the winning design…more

Sustainable Drainage Strategy

The Aardvark team has delivered a sustainable surface water drainage strategy for a proposed new residential development in Devon.   The scheme which will seek to attenuate surface water runoff, in particular…more

Waste, Water & Energy Audit

Aardvark has conducted preliminary waste, water and energy reviews for a number of leading 5 star hotels in Siem Reap, Cambodia including Raffles, Le Meridien, Victoria, La Residence D Angkor and Hotel de la Paix. Each…more

Anaerobic Digestion

Aardvark has completed the design and financial feasibility study for a generic design Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant. The modular system can process up to 30,000 tonnes per annum.  The resultant gas can be used for…more

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