Smart ECO Hub Shows The Gateway To A Sustainable Future

Smart ECO Hub organised a Cross Border Sustainable Building Conference in the Agri-Food and Bioscience College at Hillsborough on 12th June 2014.

The conference was officially opened by Wesley Shannon, Director of Environmental Policy Division at the Department of Environment and was chaired by RTE Presenter Duncan Stewart.

Over 100 businesses from across the border attended the event and the feedback from the delegates has been very positive.

The aim of the Smart ECO Hub cluster is to helpt to stimulate product development and commercialisation through collaboration.

This project is part financed by the European ‘s INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Keynote speakers at the event included Ecological Building Systems, Enviroform Solutions, Paul McAllister Architects, Rachel Bevan Architects, Sheepwool Insulation, Enviroform Solutions Solearth Architects Dublin, Construction Industry Training Board NI, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Northern Ireland Federation Housing Association. Following on from the presentations a Q&A session was facilitated by Duncan Stewart and Professor Tom Woolley. After the conference was over delegates had the opportunity to attend a guided Tour of the excellent facilities of AFBI facilitated by Christopher Johnston of AFBI.

Mr Shannon, DOE, commented: I was delighted to be involved in this Smart Eco Hub event as it was very much complementary to Minister Durkan’s vision of “A Better Environment – A Stronger Economy”.

“Indeed sustainable development has been made a principle in the Executive’s Programme for Government as our Ministers all agree that taking a sustainable approach strengthens efforts to address the economic, social and environmental challenges that we face. In this way we can work towards creating a modern, progressive economy.”

Speaking on behalf of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Robert Clements, the Housing Executive’s Energy Conservation Technical Officer, stated: “As Northern Ireland’s Home Energy Conservation authority we were delighted to speak at the Smart Eco Hub one day conference on sustainable materials for retrofit and new build construction.

“The Housing Executive is keen to investigate effective measures to deliver energy efficient homes from sustainable sources and this conference was an excellent platform to discuss the key issues.”

The conference was an opportunity for companies within the energy efficient building sector to learn about the latest natural and technical solutions to enable more energy efficient and sustainable construction.

It also provided a valuable opportunity to network and collaborate together on upcoming opportunities.

Part of the remit of Smart ECO Hub is to develop a Sustainable Building Cluster and the appetite to become part of that cluster was portrayed at the conference in Hillsborough.

David McDonnell Manager of Smart ECO Hub Programme commented: The construction industry is emerging from the decline in activity of recent years across both Northern and Southern Ireland and today we had a turnout of over 130 businesses from across the border, one of the largest networking events Smart ECO Hub has had to date. This is very encouraging as it shows a willingness to place a greater emphasis on sustainable and energy efficient buildings going forward. Sustainable & energy efficient construction is a vital component in the drive to reduce carbon consumption and enable Europe to meet its Energy Efficiency targets by 2020.”

For more details on the event or other information please contact info@smartecohub.com

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North/South Implementation Body is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes PEACE III and INTERREG IV designed to enhance cross-border co-operation, and create a more peaceful and prosperous society.

For further information about the SEUPB, visit www.seupb.eu