INDUSTRY REPORT
The devil’s in the detail
Report shows significant sustainable progress, but suggests meeting carbon reduction targets will still be tough
A new report by an influential group of businesses, NGOs and MPs suggests that progress has been made by Government in shaping the regulatory and fiscal framework for sustainable buildings in the UK. However, the industry's prospects of delivering on carbon reduction targets whilst remaining competitive is still somewhat hampered by a lack of clarity, consistency and effective enforcement.
built environment - highlights the positive strides taken by government towards a sustainable built environment, but cautions that high-level policies and legislation must be followed up with rapid progress on developing detailed implementation plans and regulatory levers. It also urges Government to think beyond arbitrary regulatory quotas in the spirit of bringing forward innovative, cost-effective mechanisms through positive engagement with the property industry. Director of sustainability at
T
Drivers Jonas Deloitte, Jon Lovell, who authored the report, says: “With the rising cost of energy having such a clear
he report - Building Britain: The path to sustainable growth for the
impact on the bottom line of business, and on the health and well being of a growing proportion of society, the government must re-double its efforts in pushing forward with a joined-up programme of effective and proportionate regulation, particularly on the efficiency agenda. “There is significant scope for
regulatory simplification but at the same time improving the effectiveness of the overall landscape. It is therefore encouraging to see the launch
which would trigger a legal obligation on property owners to improve performance. In 2010, 42 percent of UK
greenhouse gas emissions came from the built environment. The importance of improving building stock is therefore clear, especially considering the length of its legacy. However, the economic and social impact, across all sectors, is as apparent as the environmental case, especially in light of the rising cost of energy and heightening concerns over security of supply.
“Buildings offer twice the cost effective carbon reduction potential of any other sector, but the refurbishment revolution in the UK has hardly begun.”
of the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office in DECC, and we hope that this quickly develops real traction across all Government departments.” An example of the dichotomy
between high-level policy innovation and a lack of regulatory detail is the prospect of minimum energy performance standards for the letting market enshrined in the Energy Act 2011. The report welcomes the provision but cautions that there is an urgent need for clarity on the timeline for implementation and on the specific market circumstances
Chairman of the Aldersgate
Group, Peter Young says: “The policy landscape is still riddled with contradictions, not helped by regulatory development being subject to arbitrary one in, one out, rules rather than on merit and value added to society. Progress is faltering, for example we still await the entirely sensible mandating of operational energy ratings for commercial buildings. Improvements are needed in consistency, from policy quality, to measurement, to application, through to enforcement. Above all the Government must see
the opportunities in future proofing this sector as far more important to our economic imperatives of growth, new jobs and cutting the deficit.” Managing director of Willmott
Dixon Energy Services and board member of the Aldersgate Group, Rob Lambe adds: “There is the concern that Government could regard more regulation to improve built environment energy performance as a barrier to economic growth in these current tough times. However, the market is good at responding and adapting quickly to change and measures to tackle energy performance of commercial buildings and private homes through mandatory display certificates and stamp duty incentives will make a difference. It will create awareness, galvanise demand and lead to many new jobs in the private sector.” CEO of the UK Green
Building Council, Paul King says: “Buildings offer twice the cost effective carbon reduction potential of any other sector, but the refurbishment revolution in the UK has hardly begun. We need clear and consistent policy from government that that will enable industry to invest and innovate, and lead to tens of thousands of jobs, lower bills for consumers and better quality
homes and workplaces.”
ArchitectNews.co.uk | Architects Choice | 41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52