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Discoverer of the adverse effects of CFCs on the ozone layer — Joe Farman, who died last month.

Scientist whose work led to phase out of CFCs dies

Joe Farman, a geophysicist with the British Antarctic Survey and one of the discoverers of the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica in the early 1980s, died last month on 11 May. Their results reporting a ‘thinning’ of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from biologically harmful ultra-violet light, by nearly 50% were published on 16 May 1985 and attributed to the release into the atmosphere of the widely used (including air conditioning,refrigeration and thermal insulation) category of chemicals known as CFCs. Such was international concern that the Montreal Protocol to phase out their use was signed by 24 countries just over two years later in September 1987.

The huge Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport is one of the major projects that George Adams helped to deliver

Thinking globally

George Adams. CIBSE president for 2013/14, sees an urgent need for buildings and cities to use much less energy through a process of continuous improvement throughout their life.

GI Energy, ground source heat pump, space heating, renewable energy

Exceeding expectations — the ground-source heating and cooling installation at Oxford Earth Sciences Building.

GSHP project exceeds the targets set for it

Carbon savings achieved by the ground-source heat-pump system that provide heating and cooling for the Oxford Earth Sciences Building are exceeding expectations. The system was provided by GI Energy, and CO2 emissions are 120 t a year lower than anticipated, despite the building behaving quite differently from what was expected at design stage. The saving is 23% more than expected.

Work starts on Battersea Power Station project

The redevelopment of Battersea Power Station in London has taken a step forward with the appointment of Turner & Townsend as project manager and employers agent for the initial phases. The project will create a new community with homes, shops, offices, space for the arts and a 6-acre riverside park. It will be served by a new Underground station and river-bus services.