Like manners maketh man, Christmas decor maketh the building. Especially in December.

A walk in the woods or playing in green parkland is good for our children's physical and mental health. If these opportunities aren't near at hand then creating a healthy, green learning environment is a good option. With the wealth of research available about the general benefits of plants, some would say this should be the way forward anyway

Along with improved concentration and better productivity, being in touch with nature also feeds our creative juices. Early research carried out by Dr Roger Ulrich found that plants stimulate the way we think and our creativity by as much as 45%. Perhaps this is even more important in an age when technology distracts us constantly.

While we are always, understandably, singing the praises of plants and championing the many routes that research into their benefits has taken, businesses are interested in the bottom line first and foremost. As our members are all businessmen and women too, we understand this but we are also passionate about plants and what they can achieve. We want to share our knowledge.

Last week was World Green Building Week organised by the World Green Building Council. There are 70 green building councils in many countries around the world including our own UK Green Building Council; this week was an opportunity for them all to promote one theme. This year that theme has been all about climate change and taking action. To quote them, ‘#ActOnClimate. We're calling on the building sector, policymakers and governments to take urgent action to deliver net zero buildings.’