NEWS
RICS PUBLISHES FIRST INFORMATION PAPER ON THE MEASUREMENT OF EMBODIED CARBON
R
ICS has formally launched its information paper 'Methodology to Measure Embodied Carbon of Materials', in the first step to enabling whole-life carbon appraisals on building projects. The paper responds directly to the Government’s Low Carbon Construction Action Plan (published June 2011), which called for embodied carbon to be considered at every stage of the construction process as well as during operation. To achieve this, a standard method of measuring embodied carbon was required. The paper is aimed at quantity surveyors, building surveyors, building control surveyors and project managers and sets out a practical approach by which carbon emissions during the construction of a building can be measured. The methodology has been developed following a successful industry-wide consultation, which saw an unprecedented response from stakeholders and industry bodies. The paper was well received across the industry with many highlighting possible extensions for the future such as including a measurement for sequestration, the carbon captured in wood building materials. Martin Russell-Croucher, Director of Sustainability and Special Projects RICS, who managed the development of this paper said: “This paper is an important first step in producing a carbon assessment system which will support
and enable our members to deliver whole-life (embodied + operational) carbon appraisals in line with government ambitions for these to be factored into feasibility studies. By using this methodology our members can therefore contribute to the wider UK carbon reduction agenda.” Lead author of the paper Sean Lockie, BA, BPlan, MSc, BIFM, MRICS said: “The RICS methodology for calculating embodied carbon gives the surveying industry a consistent methodology for calculating and then mitigating the carbon emitted. It will give the QS a framework to calculate the embodied carbon in a systematic, quick and carbon significant way." The note stresses the importance of developing a methodological plan to the measurement of carbon and gives comparisons between the levels of embodied carbon within new build versus refurbishment. Calculation methodologies (including assessment boundaries), tools, and data sources for measuring carbon are included, as well as a step by step guide on how to conduct an assessment during the following phases of a building project: design; materials and product manufacture; For more information on the 'Methodology to Measure Embodied Carbon of Materials' paper visit
http://www.rics.org/embodiedcarbon or email
embodiedcarbon@rics.org
• news • news • news • news • news • news • news • condensate pipes.
ARMACELL SECURES CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH BRITISH GAS Armacell UK, the market leader in elastomeric thermal insulation products, is pleased to announce it has secured a contract extension until the end of 2013 to supply British Gas. The agreement maintains Armacell as the preferred supplier of pipe insulation for heating and plumbing installations, including central heating pipework and boiler
In addition to polyethylene and elastomeric pipe insulation products, the new contract also includes a solution for protecting against property damage during boiler repairs and installations.
The products supplied to British Gas are manufactured in the UK, a factor which Armacell General Manager, Mike Rust, sees as integral to the success of the agreement. “As the only UK elastomeric insulation manufacturer we are able to produce tailored product solutions to satisfy local building and fire regulations whilst remaining competitive on price due to our comparatively low transport and haulage costs.”
Replacing old gas boilers with A-rated high-efficiency condensing boilers, in
10 PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY • VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6
addition to using effective pipe insulation and improving heating controls can significantly cut carbon dioxide emissions – and save homeowners as much as £300 a year. Further information is available on request to: Armacell UK Ltd, Mars Street, Oldham, Lancashire OL9 6LY Tel: 0161 287 7040 Fax: 0161 633 2685 Email:
info.uk@
armacell.com www.armacell.com/uk
TINAS TURN HEADS IN THE LOW CARBON ARENA Low carbon technologies have today been put under the spotlight with the publication of three in-depth reports into key areas of innovation. This new analysis, the
Technology Innovation Needs Assessments (TINAs), delves into marine energy, electricity
networks and storage, and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The TINAs examine the potential for innovation in these technologies and assess the economic benefits to the UK. This work will also help inform the prioritisation of public and private sector investment to ensure these technologies reach their full potential.
The work has been undertaken by the Low Carbon Innovation
Coordination Group (LCICG), which is made up of a range of different bodies including the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Carbon Trust, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, the Engineering
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