Environment

Blinds and shutters are a proven energy saving solution.

In the UK, the effectiveness of shading products is still poorly recognised despite the fact that more and more homes and buildings are being designed with large areas of glazing.

Environmental conscious customers can reduce their reliance on heating, cooling and artificial lighting through the use of blinds, shutters and awnings.

Shading products are low maintenance and have a long life, so investing well will pay back dividends for the environment and people’s pockets.

They can also choose shading products made from eco-friendly materials and fabrics.

The positive effects of correctly specified, designed, installed and operated shading systems can help people feel that their lifestyle choices are making a positive contribution to the world around us.

Global Shading Day

The first Global Shading Day took place on 21 March 2023.

It was organised by the ES-SO, the umbrella organisation of the European solar shading industry.

Solar shading (sometimes referred to as ‘solar control’ or ‘solar protection’) is the term used to identify systems to control the amount of heat and light from the sun onto or into a building.

As we mark the spring equinox and the start of British summer time, the aim is to make everyone aware of the benefits of solar shading.

Solar shading is becoming indispensable to protect buildings from overheating and also in the fight against global warming by reducing the use of energy-consuming air conditioning.

Climate change is already being felt in the UK. High pressure dominated the UK weather in the summer of 2022 bringing long spells of dry and warm weather to many areas allowing heat waves to develop.

Solar shading can manage heat and light in an intelligent way, providing sustainable cooling systems and giving homes and businesses more control of their indoor environments.

For more information about Global Shading Day visit the ES-SO website.

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Uniting the industry for a better, greener tomorrow

Companies, organisations, associations, governments and charities across the world are collaborating more than ever before to tackle climate change.

A study commissioned by ES-SO, the umbrella organisation of the European solar shading industry, has shown that smart or dynamic solar shading could reduce European CO2 emissions by up to 100 million tonnes and save European consumers and businesses up to €285 billion by 2050.

This is a potential energy saving of up to 60% for the cooling of buildings by 2050. Buildings are still the leading energy consumers in Europe today, accounting for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. If we do nothing, climate change and heat waves will increase the number of buildings requiring air conditioning by an estimated 60%.

In the UK, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has identified that between £4bn and £58bn (depending on the mitigation strategy adopted) needs to be spent on solar shading by 2050 to make our buildings fit for the future.

The CCC report cites overheating research conducted by the BBSA’s Dr Zoe De Grussa in a block of flats in central London. An unshaded property saw a maximum operative temperature of 47 degrees Celsius in September. External shading and internal shading both proved effective ways to reduce these temperature extremes.

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Sustainable fabrics and materials

There is now a wide range of sustainable and eco products available for customers.

There is an estimated 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic currently floating in the world’s oceans, and fabrics are now being made from plastics taken from the sea.

Wooden blinds and shutters are manufactured using timber from responsibly managed forests.

Products are being made from materials derived from recycled PET polyester plastic bottles which do not require new petroleum to be created and with manufacturing processes that use less water, chemicals and energy.

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