Building science centre BRE has acquired key assets of the Institute for Sustainability (IfS), the sustainable development organisation focussed on innovation and knowledge transfer to improve cities and communities in the UK and Europe.
Since 2009 IfS has instigated a number of pioneering projects like Low Carbon London – which explored how the city could develop a smarter electricity network, Scaling Up Retrofit – solutions for mass market home refurbishment and Cradle to Cradle Bizz which looked at creating new value streams for business waste. These initiatives and many others delivered by IfS have a strong synergy with the applied science outputs of BRE which are instrumental in driving positive change across the built environment.
BRE Chief Executive Dr Peter Bonfield said: "BRE shares with IfS a commitment and track record in bringing low carbon expertise and innovation to bear on the planning, design and operation of buildings, communities and cities. Following the global agreement achieved at COP21, this expertise is needed now more than ever as we transition to a low carbon global economy. We are pleased to strengthen our team capabilities with IfS expertise."
Senior IfS staff will join BRE this week with the remit of strengthening the support BRE currently gives to industry, local and national government and stakeholder organisations that have large development and refurbishment programmes - particularly in cities - to fulfil their sustainability and innovation needs.
IfS Director Cathy Crawley said: "We look forward to continuing to work with our key clients and partners and are very pleased that our current trustees have pledged their ongoing support in this new phase of our business. We plan to establish an IfS Advisory Board to capture the skills and commitment of stakeholders who want to support the transition of IfS into BRE and to further the legacy and objectives of IFS."
