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Warming cool air allows it to circulate around your home &#8211; but this warm air can also escape if it lacks proper insulation. Escaped heating is a key driver of poor energy efficiency in homes. That is why we teamed up with subject experts to create some useful steps you can follow to conserve energy, by creating an energy efficient home. 
These changes can also help improve the energy rating of your home. There are a few different terms to grasp here, an EPC rating is specific for the UK, and stands for ‘Energy Performance Certificate’, and this is a record of your home&#8217;s likely fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions, which is assessed by looking at the energy efficiency rating (EER). If you are based in Ireland, ‘Building Energy Rating’ also known as a BER, is the A to G rating given to homes based on the amount of energy it requires to complete the same tasks. A house that requires less energy is given a higher BER rating as it uses less carbon emissions. The key point to keep in mind is that, if your home uses less energy, it has a lower carbon footprint.
Usually properties with a high <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwrU_dqhbdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EPC</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxdSF8-pj1o" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BER rating</a> are more expensive on the market, so there is also a long-term financial gain in building an energy efficient home. Being able to use less energy for the same tasks also means lower utility bills, therefore, indicating a short-term benefit as well.
So, how can you make changes to create a more energy efficient home? We spoke to <a href="https://www.stroma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stroma</a>’s Principal Building Control Surveyor, Stuart Hammond to find out.

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Ever thought about how igloos stay warm? It&#8217;s all to do with insulation, where the <a href="https://www.transun.co.uk/blogs/how-does-an-igloo-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">compressed snow traps warm air inside</a>. Since most houses around the world are not built from snow, different types of insulation is required to prevent heat from escaping.

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Using seals around doors and windows can help block unwanted cold air from infiltrating your toasty home. Often these seals need to be replaced around the edge of your doorway and a double seal threshold strip at the bottom. Don’t forget to draught-proof your letterbox as well, with a seal on the outside and a brush on the inside. Controlled ventilation is equally important as it prevents <a href="http://www.energyenvoys.org.uk/sites/default/files/Draughts%20and%20Ventilation_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dampness and condensation</a>, by controlling the level of fresh air that enters your home. 
Have you checked your windows lately? If you have single glazed windows with a metal frame, you may want to upgrade to double or even triple glazing, with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkjZXSMedT4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low-emissivity glass</a>. Again, trickle ventilation is important here to prevent condensation and the growth of mould. Therefore, it may be worth looking into control systems for vents. If you have holes in your window frames, you can also use a sealant which provides water resistance. 
Cold air can also enter your home through the chimney. So, if you have a <a href="https://checkappliance.co.uk/how-to-block-off-chimney-for-electric-fire/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fireplace but don’t use it for an open fire</a>, a draught excluder, such as a chimney plug or a balloon can help prevent cold air from lowering the temperature of your home.

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Did you know, <a href="https://www.eco-home-essentials.co.uk/best-insulation-for-homes.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">58% of heat</a> is said to be lost through the roof and walls. Therefore, investing in some insulation for your home can bring down your carbon footprint and bills considerably. To upgrade insulation in your loft, suspended floor or walls, you&#8217;ll need Building Regulation approval, so please ensure you contact an <a href="https://www.stroma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved inspector</a> for this.
To understand the type of wall insulation you require, you first need to evaluate whether you have solid walls (one layer of wall with no gaps) or cavity walls (a hollow centre dividing the two layers). Solid walls are insulated on the exterior or interior surface, whereas, with a cavity wall it is fitted into the hollow space between the two layers. A range of insulation materials can be used, but you should always speak to a specialist contractor to ensure that you’re preventing heat loss during harsh winters.
For loft insulation, you can use a range of different insulators with a <a href="https://www.wickes.co.uk/how-to-guides/home-maintenance/insulate-a-loft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recommended thickness of 270mm</a>, and loft insulation is usually fitted between the joists on the loft floor, with roof insulation placed between the tiles and rafters. The easiest way to increase the insulation in your home is to add it into your loft, here you can roll out mineral wool insulation in loft rolls in between your ceiling joists and over the top of them.

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Carpets can act as brilliant insulators for floors with fibres that have low thermal conductivity. So the thicker the carpet, the greater the insulation. To upgrade your floor insulation, you&#8217;ll need the floorboards to be removed to place netting or chicken wire under the joists, and mineral wool insulation between them.  A rug can instantly help insulate your floors, it won’t be as effective as a thick carpet or insulation under your floorboards, but it will most definitely help.

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Installing a smart meter can help you keep track of your energy consumption and the cost of utilities at the same time. There are also smart thermostats that you can download on your phone to track this anywhere in your house. Lowering your thermostat by just one degree can cut your heating bill by 10% and you won’t even feel the difference. 
Upgrading your radiators with thermostatic controls can help gain more control over what rooms you’d like to heat and what rooms you don’t need to. Curtains help to retain the level of heat in homes by limiting the flow of air. However, make sure you don’t cover the thermostatic controls on the radiators with your curtains, as this prevents the sensor from picking up the flow of air. It also interrupts the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkjZXSMedT4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">process of convection</a> that draws cold air from the bottom and releases hot air from the top. You should also pull your furniture away from the radiators to allow the hot air to flow freely. A heat reflector foil can be placed behind the radiator to prevent heat from escaping as it reflects it back into the room.

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Small changes can make a huge difference&#8230;even at the switch of a button!

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If 80% of lights are switched to <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/326085/Lighting_Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low energy light bulbs by 2024</a>, a whopping 230 kWh/year will be saved on average per household. To make the switch, perhaps invest in LED bulbs as they use a lot less energy than incandescent or fluorescent lights. These may cost more upfront but over time you’ll accumulate less expenses. Switching off lights when leaving a room seems rather simple, but remembering to do so will make a huge difference. 
Depending on location, you can also install solar panels on your roof, which produce renewable energy from the sun. In some cases excess power created by you can be fed into the power network for others to use.

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Remember to switch off/unplug any electrical appliances that are not in use. If you find yourself leaving electrical appliances on stand-by, you can use a smart power strip or a plug-in timer for appliances such as the TV, in case you fall asleep on the sofa.

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Switching to lower temperatures when washing your clothes can help conserve energy. In fact, opting to run your machine at <a href="https://www.ariel.co.uk/en-gb/about-ariel/sustainability/your-commitment-how-you-can-save-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">30°C instead of 40°C</a>, can lower energy consumption by 60% per load. Avoid washing your clothes when your drum is not ¾ full, as this will mean more loads are required for the same amount of clothes. You can also switch from using the tumble dryer to air drying your clothes on a drying rack or on a washing line.
You can avoid adding large pots and pans into the dishwasher to prevent using the machine more times than needed. When washing dishes by hand, a washing bowl can help save the amount of water you use. Furthermore, you can also install water saving taps that reduce the flow of water by combining it with air, cutting your water consumption dramatically. 
Fridge/freezers are often ranked as one of the <a href="https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/top-five-energy-consuming-home-appliances/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest energy consuming home appliances</a>, accounting for around 12% of average household bills. Seals around the edge of fridge/freezer doors act as barriers between the warm air in your home and the cool air circulating around the fridge. Often these can become loose, break and even have cracks, so it may be worth checking to see if they need to be cleaned or replaced entirely. Controlling the temperature inside the appliance using controls and ensuring the seals are working properly can help preserve the excess energy that is used to keep the contents inside fresh. Upgrading to an energy efficient model could potentially help slash your <a href="https://www.beko.com/bn-en/support/fridge-freezer--using--article/11-ways-to-improve-your-refrigerator%27s-energy-efficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">energy bills in half</a>, reducing your carbon footprint considerably.
There are lots of options available for creating an energy efficient home, and remember to always consult an expert before undertaking any structural work. 
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Hopescrolling: The good news timeline

It’s not all bad. While there’s a lot of negative news about the climate, let’s not forget the good stuff. Find climate wins, reasons to be hopeful and plenty of positivity in our good news timeline.

The good news timeline

Ready to make a difference for our planet? Get in touch, and let’s chat about how we can help you on your climate journey. 

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Ecologi acquires Net Zero Now

In a landmark move set to reshape corporate climate action, we’re excited to announce that Ecologi, the UK&#8217;s most trusted climate action platform, has acquired <a href="https://netzeronow.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Net Zero Now</a>, the sector-specific carbon measurement and reduction platform for businesses.
The combined entity operating under the Ecologi brand will create a single solution for industry climate leadership towards net zero. The integration combines sector-specific carbon measurement and reduction with world class verified climate projects that supports businesses wherever they are on their net zero journey.

<h2>The game-changing impact of this acquisition</h2>
The strategic acquisition solves two fundamental challenges in corporate climate action: businesses have been forced to choose between fragmented solutions and generic ‘one size fits all’ approaches that ignore crucial sector-specific needs. By combining Net Zero Now&#8217;s sector-specific protocol expertise with Ecologi&#8217;s platform funding top-tier climate projects, we&#8217;re creating a tailored and complete solution helping businesses lead their industries towards net zero.

Reduce emissions.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Measure Scope 1, 2 &amp; 3 emissions with sector-specific industry GHG protocols</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Set short term and long term reduction target emissions aligned to SBTi</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tailored reduction plans for sector-specific emissions pathways</li>
</ul>
Restore our planet.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Compensate for unavoidable emissions as you reduce them through 
funding verified, high-quality carbon avoidance and removal credits</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Contribute to global climate goals by funding climate Impact Funds for 
beyond value chain mitigation and/or as part of your products &amp; services</li>
</ul>
Report on progress.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Corporate sustainability standards e.g. CSRD, SECR, SBTi, CDP, B Corp</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sector specific standards e.g. Accountancy, Hospitality, Public Sector</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Custom climate impact reports and embeddable dashboards</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Communications toolkit for board and stakeholder engagement</li>
</ul>

Climate leadership starts here

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Neil Ross Russell, Managing Director of Net Zero Now, said:
<blockquote>Businesses want to take climate action, but they want to know they’re doing it right and what’s right for a restaurant business is not the same as what’s right for an accounting firm.  They need industry-specific guidance and clear pathways to climate leadership. By joining forces with Ecologi, we&#8217;re creating a platform that allows us to provide credible, simple and affordable, sector-specific, end-to-end climate solutions for businesses in our existing sectors and collaborate with industry partners on new sector-led solutions.</blockquote>

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The acquisition aligns with Ecologi&#8217;s mission to accelerate business climate action and grow our 24,000 strong customer base. Established sector protocols including hospitality and professional services will be the initial focus with plans to expand across additional industries throughout 2025.
With organisations under increasingly complex stakeholder and industry compliance demands for environmental accountability, this end-to-end solution also ensures streamlined reporting, monitoring progress, supply chain transparency, and voluntary disclosures. This transforms business leaders into climate leaders with the confidence to tackle their climate commitments head-on, communicating and meeting critical regulatory requirements like SECR, CSRD and SBTi.

<h2>More about Net Zero Now</h2>
Founded in 2021, Net Zero Now has developed a proprietary sector-led approach, which combines climate expertise alongside the sector knowledge and experience of relevant industry bodies, industry influencers and larger businesses to reach a consensus around what Net Zero means in practice for businesses in each sector. To date, the company has measured and validated 1.8 MtCO2e lifetime emissions supporting more than 50+ leading brands including Coca Cola Europacific Partners, L&#8217;Orèal, Heineken, Pernod Ricard, Subway, Hard Rock Cafe, Adnams, Edgbaston and James Cowper Kreston.

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4 hospitality companies leading the way on climate action

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have in the hospitality industry — it&#8217;s a business necessity. With increasing regulatory pressure, shifting customer expectations, and the growing impact of climate change, hospitality businesses are finding that taking action isn&#8217;t just about responsibility—it&#8217;s about resilience. This is particularly evident as 70% of Brits are now actively trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle (Nutritics, 2024), and 44% say sustainability is important in their choice of venue to visit (Morning Advertiser, 2023). From tackling food waste to cutting carbon emissions, the sector is facing both challenges and opportunities to drive meaningful change.
At the heart of this transformation is the food system. The hospitality industry relies on farming—a sector responsible for nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions and one that is increasingly vulnerable to climate disruption. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and supply chain instability are already affecting food availability and costs, making sustainability not just an ethical priority but a commercial imperative. This is reflected in consumer behavior, with 47% of consumers wanting more information about carbon footprints on menus, and 41% saying this information would influence their order (CGA Strategy, 2023).
Fortunately, forward-thinking hospitality businesses are stepping up, driven by clear market demand—34% of UK pub and restaurant goers are prepared to spend more in venues with strong sustainability credentials, increasing to 47% for Gen Z and Millennials (Sustainability Beat, 2023). This generational shift is significant, with consumers aged 18-34 being nearly twice as likely to pay more for sustainability than those aged 55+ (WaterAid, 2023).
As the food and beverage industry awakens to its environmental responsibilities, and with climate change threatening to fundamentally disrupt global food security, restaurants and food service enterprises are stepping up to take meaningful climate action. These pioneering businesses are demonstrating how sustainability can enhance business performance while making a positive environmental impact, even as they navigate the unique challenges of being both a contributor to and victim of climate change.
Read about four hospitality companies that are championing climate action, and explore how they are turning environmental challenges into business opportunities.
Whether it&#8217;s engaging employees, measuring carbon footprints, or developing new sustainable service offerings, these venues are setting the standard for a greener future in hospitality.
<ol>
<li>Hawksmoor: Leading Sustainability in Fine Dining</li>
<li>Freemans Event Partners: Pioneering Sustainable Event Catering</li>
<li>Lisini Pub Co: Family Legacy Meets Sustainable Innovation</li>
<li>The Assemblies: Pioneering Sustainable Hospitality in Bristol</li>
</ol>

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<h2>Hawksmoor: leading sustainability in fine dining</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li> Achieved B Corp certification in September 2022</li>
<li>Comprehensive review of operational sustainability across all locations</li>
<li>Implementation of energy reduction initiatives</li>
<li>Enhanced waste management systems</li>
<li>Water conservation measures</li>
<li>Integration of sustainability into staff training programs</li>
</ul>
Hawksmoor&#8217;s journey exemplifies how restaurant groups can lead in sustainability within the hospitality sector. Their comprehensive approach includes setting ambitious net-zero targets for 2030 while focusing on immediate operational improvements. The restaurant group&#8217;s commitment is evidenced by their systematic review of day-to-day operations across their locations in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and New York. What sets them apart is their holistic approach to sustainability: examining energy usage, waste management, and water consumption while maintaining their reputation for quality dining. Their structured approach to employee engagement includes a two-day intensive induction program that emphasises sustainability, making it a core part of their culture.
Ellie Besley-Gould, Head of Purpose at Hawksmoor, said:
<blockquote>We&#8217;ve been heavily involved with the Sustainable Restaurant Association since about 12 years ago&#8230; It&#8217;s a really important area for us to be stepping up the work in, looking at how we can inspire change.</blockquote>

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<h2>Freemans Event Partners: pioneering sustainable event catering</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Achieved 38.4% reduction in emissions compared to projections</li>
<li>Implemented innovative &#8220;Zero Zone&#8221; testing area</li>
<li>Introduced shuttle buggies for reduced transport emissions</li>
<li>Deployed hybrid power generators</li>
<li>Established carbon menu labelling</li>
<li>Enhanced waste management through compostable solutions</li>
</ul>
Freemans Event Partners&#8217; journey demonstrates how large-scale event catering can embrace sustainability without compromising service quality. Their innovative approach at the British Grand Prix showcases their commitment to reducing environmental impact in high-pressure environments. The company&#8217;s dedication is evidenced by exceeding their initial 5% emissions reduction target and implementing a groundbreaking &#8220;Zero Zone&#8221; area for testing new sustainability initiatives. What sets them apart is their data-driven approach to sustainability: measuring and analysing emissions across all aspects of their operation, from food stalls to logistics and waste management.
Richard West, Sustainability Manager at Freemans Event Partners, said:
<blockquote>Through partnering we&#8217;ve realised that collaboration is key to making lasting and impactful environmental changes in the events catering industry. The process has been much more straightforward than we thought it would be and we look forward to setting even bigger reductions targets as we go forward.</blockquote>

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<h2>Lisini Pub Co: family legacy meets sustainable innovation</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 48% through renewable electricity</li>
<li>Won the Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award</li>
<li>Achieved lowest electricity demand in 10 years</li>
<li>Implemented LED lighting and sensor systems</li>
<li>Launched biodiversity project at Dalziel Park</li>
<li>Developed sustainable kitchen practices and menu innovation</li>
<li>Created venue-specific green teams</li>
</ul>
Lisini Pub Co&#8217;s journey demonstrates how family-owned hospitality businesses can transform their environmental impact while preserving their heritage. Their comprehensive approach combines traditional Scottish hospitality with modern sustainability practices across their venues, including the historic Angels hotel in Uddingston. What sets them apart is their innovative approach to sustainability: implementing competitive green teams across venues, achieving dramatic emissions reductions, and maintaining their commitment to quality service. Their structured approach includes both operational improvements and employee engagement, making sustainability a core part of their 45-year family legacy.
Siobhan Edwards, Director Lisini Pub Group, said:
<blockquote>It&#8217;s not until we&#8217;ve been working in the last year that we&#8217;ve really truly understood our carbon footprint. It&#8217;s the right thing to do, it&#8217;s the right thing for our customers, for our planet, for the environment, and actually it saves us money at the same time.</blockquote>

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<h2>The Assemblies: Pioneering Sustainable Hospitality in Bristol</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Established 100-mile radius local sourcing policy</li>
<li>Implemented full venue LED lighting systems</li>
<li>Introduced reusable cups for music events</li>
<li>Developed nose-to-tail food waste reduction policy</li>
<li>Created vegetarian menu options to reduce emissions</li>
<li>Enhanced supplier partnerships for sustainability</li>
<li>Achieved an impressive 3-star rating in the Food Made Good Standard, scoring 92% overall and 91% specifically in environmental practices</li>
</ul>
The Assemblies&#8217; journey showcases how urban hospitality venues can lead in sustainability while building strong community connections. Since their inception in 2009, they&#8217;ve demonstrated that local sourcing and environmental responsibility can coexist with business success. What sets them apart is their data-driven approach to sustainability: analysing carbon ratings, implementing local sourcing policies, and creating innovative menu solutions. Their comprehensive strategy includes everything from sound system upgrades to waste reduction initiatives, making sustainability integral to their operation.
Anna Blightman, Brand Marketing Manager, said:
<blockquote>Something that our partnership has allowed us to do, is lay all the data out on the table so that we can actually look at it, and stand to analyse it and understand where we can make changes. If we don&#8217;t start now, when will we start?</blockquote>

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As these leading hospitality companies show, meaningful climate action can drive significant business benefits—from stronger customer and employee engagement to enhanced brand reputation and risk mitigation. By taking a thoughtful, transparent, and impactful approach, businesses can pave the way for a sustainable future.
Ready to take the lead in climate action? Book in a 30 minute discovery call with our Hospitality sector experts and find out more about partnering with Ecologi to measure your emissions, set reduction goals and fund high-quality climate action on the road to net-zero.

3 steps to creating an energy efficient home

STEP 1: Seal the gaps

STEP 2: Take control

STEP 3: Make the switch

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