News analysis Zero carbon
Tackling the non-doms
A road map to deliver zero carbon
Renewables are being targeted
as key to cutting emissions for
non-domestic buildings by 2019 non-domestic new buildings.
has been outlined by ministers.
Carina Bailey gauges the reaction
n
About 17 per cent of UK carbon technologies, with the
emissions are attributable balance from off-site sources. The
to non-domestic buildings, and net benefits between 2013 and 2029
so these will play a sizeable part are estimated to be worth £190m
in meeting the government’s (see table).
challenging target of reducing • Scenario two would involve a
carbon emissions by 80 per cent combination of both on- and off-site
against 1990 levels by 2050. A low and zero carbon technologies,
new consultation document from achieving a 54 per cent reduction in
the Department for Communities CO2 from on-site means by 2019,
and Local Government now but presents a net cost of £3,273m.
suggests that the same zero carbon • Scenario three would involve
framework has been adopted for using mainly on-site renewable,
homes should be used for non- low and zero carbon technologies,
domestic buildings. potentially leading to a 63 per cent
It also states that a range of reduction in CO2 from on-site
options for allowable solutions, or measures by 2019, but amounting
off-site generation, is being drafted, to £6,973m in costs by 2029.
and this will eventually form a Chris Twinn, a director at Ove
common approach for both homes Arup and Partners, fears the
and non-domestic buildings. But recession could have a negative
the consultation is seeking industry impact on the whole issue, with for allowable solutions for off-site be incorporated, and he stresses
views on other extra allowable industry desiring the ‘shortest electrical generation, who is to that more clarity is needed on how
solutions that could be used purely term’ cost effective solution. He deliver them, how the mechanisms Feed-In-Tariffs (FITs) will affect the
by non-domestic buildings. believes this would ensure a swifter are financed and what the real solution.
However, unlike with homes, economic recovery for the sector overall cost is.’ CIBSE technical director Hywel
the consultation suggests that zero while mitigating the greatest He adds: ‘Expecting builders Davies believes that ideally industry
carbon in non-domestic buildings amount of carbon dioxide in the to foot the high current costs of should be aiming for the hardest
will cover 100 per cent of regulated short term, but says: ‘Whether we installing mostly on-site renewables target, but acknowledges that this
emissions, but not unregulated have to go back to our buildings and for scenario three is unrealistic and may not be realistic: ‘My feeling is
emissions. Just a 10 to 20 per cent retrofit renewables in a more costly often impractical. that actually achieving any of these
element of unregulated energy is way in future remains to be seen.’ ‘The principle of future-proofing numbers is going to be tough.
likely to be included in the zero For Dave Farebrother, ready for fitting on-site renewables But unless we set ourselves some
carbon goal for non-domestic environmental director at later is not even on the agenda. The pretty challenging targets I fear that
buildings. The consultation also commercial property company influence on occupants’ behaviour whatever is set we will fall short.’
reveals that the public sector will He also fears that scenario one
lead the zero carbon way from 2018, isn’t challenging enough. ‘What
(2016 for schools), developing a it’s basically saying seems to be
programme of exemplar buildings,
Whether we have to go back to our buildings
let’s throw wind generators at the
and that further work will be done to
and retrofit renewables in a more costly way in
problem,’ he says.
the assessment tool underpinning The problem with using
the policy. future remains to be seen – Chris Twinn renewables like wind power to
Another part of the consultation meet these targets for commercial
seeks industry views on which Land Securities, the most realistic of having on-site renewables is not buildings, he argues, is that it only
scenario is most favourable for scenario is option one, because of considered. gives the impression of cutting
setting carbon compliance or on- the economy of scale, and because: ‘Some major further work needs emissions: ‘In practice you’re not
site energy generation targets for ‘It is not practical to expect too to be done to illustrate to industry changing very much because a lot
achieving zero carbon, and how this much on-site generation, even how it can finance and deliver the of the wind power capacity that is
might impact on the sector during the 10 per cent level that some various scenarios because to date used to meet these targets will get
the recession. The three scenarios authorities currently ask for is not there is insufficient evidence to built anyway under other policies.
laid out are: always achievable and is generally convince and get the buy-in of a What we really need are targets
• Scenario one in the consultation not the most cost-effective option’. sceptical industry.’ that are going to challenge us on all
involves hitting a 44 per cent Twinn, however, is sceptical that According to Twinn, scenario three fronts – more energy efficient
reduction in CO2 by 2019 using scenario one can deliver: ‘There is one would only be realistic if buildings, better carbon compliance
on-site renewable low and zero an absence of realistic proposals off-site electricity generation can and the use of allowable solutions.’
20 CIBSE Journal January 2010 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEjan10 pp20-21 newsanalysis.indd 20 18/12/09 12:37:27
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