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COMMENT National savings
Andrew Mellor from PRP Architects wonders whether a real energy saving strategy would be more relevant than the Government’s new Powering Up Britain idea
T
he new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero recently published its Powering Up Britain report which sets out the Department’s approach to achieving energy security
and net zero. It is an introductory report to the two accompanying, and much longer, reports; ‘Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan,’ and ‘Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan.’ Powering Up Britain is a very interesting title. It suggests a need for more energy when we should be reducing our energy use and transitioning to cleaner sources of energy. Perhaps it should be called “Saving Britain” instead, as if we don’t take the steps set out in the strategy, the consequences for society could be huge. The intent of the strategy is of course welcome and much- needed; however, in some areas, the proposal simply does not go far enough, and we need greater steps to ensure we meet the 2035 and 250 legally binding carbon targets. Policy is one thing, implementation is another, as the latter involves industry and the public, and both often need incentives or legislation to change.
Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS)
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is proposed at an estimated cost in the order of many billions of pounds to prevent emissions entering the atmosphere where fossil fuels are burnt at power stations. This seems to support continued fossil fuel use for too long a period into the future. Will storing carbon in the sea bed simply create problems for future generations; are we simply sweeping the problem under the carpet? Fossil fuel use should be reduced to such an extent that the CCS plants are not required for this purpose at the time of their planned introduction. If the CCS plants are to be constructed, many would question the benefit of spending so much money on such technology, they should be used to remove existing carbon emissions from the atmosphere to help reduce the impacts of climate change. Reforesting parts of Britain may be a better way of absorbing carbon, especially with the added benefits they bring including reducing flood risk through rainfall interception and reducing rapid run-off. Restoring peatlands would also contribute in the same way. The challenge is not just building design and performance, but the regeneration of our natural environment.
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
The not so ‘great’ British insulation scheme The Great British Insulation Scheme proposes to install loft insulation and cavity wall insulation, but these relatively simple measures should have been implemented across the housing stock at least a decade ago. There is nothing ‘great’ about it. We have been talking about loft and cavity insulation for a long time –
ADF MAY 2023
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