SuStainable buildingS
Building for
the future
Companies and countries now differentiate themselves by
maximising their impact on the world while minimising it at the same
time. Green building is a subject we all must understand as we grow
green. Our energy editor Paul Garrett reports.
L
ow carbon power generation and transport Building codes do exist. In the UK we have the
often grab the headlines when it comes Building Research Establishment Environmental
to discussions about climate change Assessment Method (BREEAM) which has been
mitigation. But while fossil fuels may start to be in place for 20 years. The UK Code for Sustainable
phased out in favour of nuclear and renewable Homes is now in place, being joined by the UK
sources of energy generation – and gasoline Code for Sustainable Buildings. The US has the
edged out in favour of electric or even hydrogen LEED code, and a pan-European green building
energy for road and rail transport – the buildings code may be in the pipeline.
in which we live, congregate and work are a Twinn explains codes like BREEAM typically
huge contributor to global carbon emissions, and contain a basket of parameters. ‘They cover
therefore a big part of the answer too. energy use, water use, choice of materials,
Green buildings not only have a lower carbon health and safety, access to daylight, noise
footprint. They should also be better places to live levels, the management of the construction
and work, and –because they are more efficient – process and recycled materials. The UK is a
more economic to build and run too. leader in incorporating carbon into the building
So, what is the current picture for green regulations.”
buildings? Indeed, how do we define one? Vanessa Havard-Williams at Linklaters agrees
An architect is a good place to start. Chris that new codes like the UK Code for Sustainable
Twinn heads Arup’s sustainability team in London; Buildings are ‘ratcheting up’ the sustainable
he says that the definition of a green building is building agenda. She thinks, though, that green
a moving target. “Green is changing all the time. building design must look beyond energy use:
What was seen as ‘dark green’ a year ago can “All the building’s impact within the boundary
be seen as ‘light green’ today. We need to move line must be taken into account. There is, rightly,
harder and faster to meet carbon targets. We will an enormous amount of activity on energy
see at the Copenhagen Summit later this year use but not enough on water – harvesting and
that we are going to have to work a lot harder, recycling of wastewater, and reduction in [water]
with international agreements being sought on consumption.”
carbon emissions.” She points to new build in Asia as being at the
Twinn argues that carbon-friendly buildings front of green building development. “It is easier
will be key to making progress, and that building to build at scale where you are starting from
codes aimed at creating sustainable buildings scratch,” she says. “Retro-fitting older buildings is
will have to speed up: “Voluntary codes are no more difficult and costly and is a challenge for
longer enough. We can’t continue to build new developed economies. Here we are talking about
structures in the way we have done in the past. improved insulation, lagging, greener boilers,
We need a step change in the way we build.” glazing.
30 pathfinder buSineSS l JUNE/JULY 2009
PBS12 pp30-33 Green Buildings.indd 32 5/6/09 15:43:36
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