Achieving carbon reduction from listed buildings in the UK: A case study on The Royal Academy of Engineering, London

A carbon reduction strategy for a historic Grade 1 listed office building in London is presented. The study evaluates the impact of49 different carbon abatement options, quantified using building simulation software, auditing procedures and qualitative methods. The impact of each option is assessed against three criteria: carbon abatement potential, practicality and cost. The strategy comprises of18interventions,integrated within 12 key recommendations. Accumulative reduction of 37% (below a 2009 carbon emissions baseline)appears achievable and only feasible with heavy reliance on changes in occupant behaviour. This theme appears central in achieving realistic and significant carbon savings from listed buildings, where planning constraints relinquish potential for major building fabric alteration and renewable energy installations.

An arch in the UK

Arches, streamers, polar lights, merry dancers… just a few of many names used to describe the aurora borealis in historical documents in the UK. We have compiled a new catalogue of 20591 independent reports of auroral sightings from the British Isles and Ireland for 1700–1975 using observatory yearbooks, the diaries of amateur observers, newspaper reports and the scientific literature. Our aim is to provide an independent data series that can aid understanding of longterm solar variability, alongside cosmogenic isotope data and historic records of geomagnetic activity and sunspots.