INDUSTRY NEWS 5
Construction can reach net zero carbon by 2050, report says
A new vision for how buildings and infrastructure around the world can reach 40 per cent less embodied carbon emissions by 2030, and achieve 100 per cent net zero emissions buildings by 2050, has been issued by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) as part of the 10th annual World Green Building Week. Together, building and construction are responsible for 39 per cent of all carbon emissions in the world, with operational emissions (from energy used to heat, cool and light buildings) accounting for 28 per cent of this. The remaining 11 per cent comes from embodied carbon emissions, or ‘upfront carbon’ that is associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole building lifecycle. In order to fully decarbonise the sector, it is necessary to eliminate both opera- tional and embodied carbon emissions, says WorldGBC. Its new ‘Bringing embod- ied carbon upfront’ report proposes this goal, alongside solutions to accelerate immediate action by the entire building and construction value chain. It argues that embodied carbon emissions have often been overlooked in the past, but that – as shown by research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – achieving drastic cuts in all carbon emissions over the next decade is critical to keeping the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. Addressing upfront carbon is therefore crucial to fighting the climate crisis, as new construction is expected to double the world’s building stock by 2060. WorldGBC has presented what it believes is “a clear pathway of actions” that designers, investors, manufacturers, government, NGOs and researchers across the whole value chain can take to accelerate decarbonisation, address current market barriers, and develop low carbon alternative solutions for market. However, the report warned that change will not happen unless there is a radical
shift in how the industry works together to enable a market transformation. The transition towards mainstream net zero carbon standards requires immediate action to achieve greater awareness, as well as innovation; improved processes to calculate, track and report embodied carbon; voluntary reduction targets from industry; and roll out of new legislation at city, national and regional level. Approaches such as maximising the use of existing assets, promoting renovation instead of demolition, and seeking new circular business models that reduce reliance on carbon intensive raw materials are also needed. To kick-start cross-sector collaboration, WorldGBC is calling for new national and sectoral roadmaps to be developed, such as those produced in Finland, Norway and Sweden, with strong support from industry and policymakers.
housing projects for private sector partners.”
“Put simply,” Walkley continued, “we are an organisation with the money, land, and powers to deliver the homes the country needs.”
Homes England seeks investment at Japan’s Rugby World Cup
Seeking partners to help raise the pace of UK housebuilding, Nick Walkley, Homes England chief executive, delivered a speech at the British Embassy in Tokyo to tie in with the Rugby World Cup. The ‘Investment in UK housing and
Regeneration Event’ was aimed at encour- aging and fostering positive trade relationships between both Japanese investors and British business executives with regard to international investment in UK housing. In his talk, Walkley explained Homes England’s role, and the issue of tackling the housing crisis, describing it as “one of the biggest domestic challenges facing the country at the moment.” While acknowledging the extent of the
challenge, he explained why he believes Homes England is well-placed to address it – the company expecting to spend £27bn in the next five years, “in addition to leveraging significant additional investment by partnering with the private sector.” He said: “As owners of significant amounts of public sector land with land assembly powers, we are well placed to act as master developer, substantially reducing the risk of new large scale
In order to succeed, Walkley told the audience that the company needs partners working across the sector, calling on anyone involved in the development process to offer services. “We are well placed to introduce you to the English residential market,” he added, and “partner with you to unlock opportunities.” Walkley hailed Homes England’s current international partners (including Sekisui House UK), discussed the progress Homes England is making currently, and looked toward MMC and other new technologies. Walkley concluded: “We need the support of new ambitious partners who support our objectives and want to work with us. My hope is that our visit to Japan has helped to strengthen existing relationships, and will be the catalyst for new ones.”
‘Construction Charter’ backed by City Hall
Public sector union Unite’s Construction Charter has been backed by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The Charter, aimed at improving London’s construction standards, protect- ing workers, and outlawing poor construction practices, is set to become a requirement of building projects under City Hall’s control.
One way in which the Charter hopes to lead the way in best practice is by ensuring building contractors and sub-contractors under the control of local authorities provide apprentice training, a safe working environment, and the industry rate of pay to workers. Reportedly, going forward the Charter will apply to all major City Hall develop- ment projects – starting with the St Ann’s hospital site in Haringey, London, for which the Mayor is now seeking a development partner. The Charter will add to the Good
Work Standard, a benchmark for high employment standards launched by the Mayor in July. This standard includes a set of criteria covering fair pay and condi- tions, wellbeing, skills and progression, diversity, and recruitment.
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
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
