Green gateway approach wins specialist low carbon award

Sustainability Tue, Mar 22, 2016 5:00 PM

Mitsubishi Electric’s campaign to get everyone in the construction industry to join the debate about renewable technology has received another major boost by securing the Low Carbon category of the CN Specialist Awards.

Green Gateway is Mitsubishi Electric’s attempt to use its position as a manufacturer of renewable technology for the building services sector to challenge conventional thinking about energy use and get everyone involved in designing, creating, operating and maintaining our built environment to discuss ways in which the industry can make a difference.

The prestigious annual event, held at London’s Hilton Hotel, is run by Construction News to honour the finest specialist contractors and construction projects today. The organisers praised the high quality of this year’s entries with Rebecca Evans, Editor of Construction News magazine commenting: “We had 79 companies competing in 17 fantastically strong categories, so being one of the finalists at the Specialists Awards, from among the hundreds of entries we receive, is a huge achievement in itself.”

Comedian Simon Evans warmed up the audience with a stand-up routine and also hosted the awards ceremony with the sponsors and supporters.

Sustainable Solutions Manager, Martin Fahey, who collected the Award on behalf of Mitsubishi Electric was delighted with the recognition: “Getting broader awareness of the low carbon aims of Green Gateway is why we enter these awards so to actually gain the praise of the judges and win is just fantastic,” he said.

Buildings account for 44 per cent of all UK greenhouse gas emissions which is more than either industry or transport, so as a sector, the construction industry can play a major role in helping reduce emissions.

Fahey was also delighted with the reception from everyone he talked to at the event and is hoping for an increase in the number of members to the Green Gateway LinkedIn Group and followers on Twitter.

“We need to engage as many people as possible in a lively and on-going debate and social media offers people an ideal way to get involved and help to make a difference.”

Visitors to the Green Gateway LinkedIn group will be able to view the latest thoughts of group members from across the UK building industry and contribute to the on-going discussion. The new Twitter account (@green_gateway) will offer followers a chance to receive up-to-the-minute news and views from those within and outside the industry, including key opinion leaders.

Further details on Green Gateway and the company’s approach to renewable energy can be found by visiting www.greengateway.mitsubishielectric.co.uk