INDUSTRY COMMENT: BCIA


Jon Belfield, president of the Building Controls Industry Associaon (BCIA), believes many of the industry iniaves and targets introduced in 2019 will inspire more posive acon in 2020 to build the momentum needed


s the calendar turns over to January, I’d like to reflect upon a very upbeat year for the BCIA and look at our targets and resolutions for 2020. The subject of Brexit continues to provide a distraction for all of us and although the debate will continue, it is our own initiatives and pro- active thinking that will enable us to navigate ourselves and our organisations through the new European landscape – whatever that may look like. No one can deny the political, economic and social divisions that challenge our country and indeed, many parts of the world at the moment but, fortunately, we have so many shared goals and opportunities that can nudge our economy in the direction to make the big changes we wish to see.


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We are now 30 years away from 2050, the year we have committed to being carbon neutral in the UK. It is perhaps too easy to dismiss this target as either something for future generations to worry about or even as something that seems so colossally impossible, what’s the point of even trying?


A clear vision


Apologies in advance to young engineers reading this but I do try to think and speak on your behalf. Think back 30 years; a time which saw the Berlin Wall come down and reunification of Germany, the end of the Cold War and Nelson Mandela released from prison. A little later at the 1996 Summer Olympics Great Britain won just one Gold Medal. In my own mind these events still seem recent, but they really are 20-30 years ago and the technological advancements and changes in mindset that have occurred during that period demonstrate just how much things can change in a relatively short space of time


when a clear vision of what can be achieved is owned by the majority and not a minority. Whether you will still be here in 2050, mid-career, or long gone, the net zero target is one we can all play a part in achieving, wherever we are on the path, (I should point out that I will be 87 in 2050 and very much hope that I will be writing a follow up article in BSEE to reflect on the changes we all made to achieve our common net zero goal!!). In 2050, will we be looking back on 2019 either as a year in which the government set impossible environmental targets, or one to be heralded for kickstarting an “Industrial Re-evolution”. My hope, and genuine belief, is for the latter, but it is the personal and professional decisions and actions that we take now, and share, that will determine the outcome.


The launch of the BCIA’s #OneSmallChange campaign last year was designed to encourage anyone and everyone to make a difference by adjusting their everyday lives in small ways that will be of benefit to the future of our planet and keep more fossil fuel in the ground. I am delighted at how quickly people, both in industry and beyond, picked up on the message and it is my hope that this will continue to gather momentum this year, so please continue to share your ideas.


Unstoppable momentum


Another important focus for the BCIA in 2020 is to continue our commitment to developing young engineers and engineers transferring into our growing industry. The training we provide will be crucial in moving our industry forward and I strongly believe that we now have an unstoppable momentum toward seeing the responsibility for training the future generation now shared right across our sector, among large and


BSEE Industry Initiatives inspiring positive action in 2020


small organisations alike. Perhaps adverts for ‘We’re Hiring’ will be equally matched, or even replaced, by those announcing, ‘We’re Training’! My final thought at the start of this New Year is for us to continue to establish and maintain a “New Professionalism”. The BEMS sector is emerging from the shadows to become professionally recognised as a key factor in achieving the occupied performance of a building and improving wellbeing for occupants. By supporting consultants and building occupiers and making available our professional expertise, we can help ensure that the standalone complex systems specified in buildings become effectively integrated & engineered – delivering better performing ‘smart buildings’.


One final, final thing, I have no hesitation in stressing once again that we have entered an exciting and rewarding time to be involved in the building services sector, with almost limitless opportunities for innovation and improving building performance. The technology and skills we have at our disposal means we have the chance to play a pivotal role in directing how our built environment can have a significant impact on our journey to net zero.


www.bcia.co.uk


Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2019 21


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