34
INDUSTRY VIEWFINDER: WORKING TOWARDS ZERO CARBON
“Which are the most critical areas to focus on in achieving low carbon designs?”
zero 2050 target. This will require all new homes to have 75-80% less carbon emissions than ones built to 2013 Part L of the Building Regulations. The ‘real world’ insights we gained from practitioners show they are acutely aware of the challenges, and of their role in delivering on them. They are not unanimous in their views on the best solutions.
The UK response
The UK construction industry needs a step change in buildings’ emissions. We have had a Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard in the works for several years, however a chairman was only appointed to lead its Governance Board in September 2022. The industry is fragmented, but needs to collaborate; Sarah Ratcliffe, CEO at Better Buildings Partnership comments: “The Standard is going to require radical collaboration across the whole of the built environment sector.”
The last decade (2011-2020) was the warmest on record, and the urgency of reducing emissions, following a reprieve caused by Covid, cannot be overstated. The RIBA wants new builds and retrofits to deliver “zero whole life carbon” in advance of the 2050 deadline; it’s possible and has been achieved – the challenge is extending it to all building projects.
The Government has recommitted to its 2030 target set in the
Paris Agreement in 2016, which requires a daunting 68% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across all industries in just over seven years, when of course the current administration is unlikely to still be in power. The construction industry is finding the answers. We looked at architects’ current involvement (or otherwise) in zero carbon projects, and their awareness of – and views on – the RIBA’s various Climate Challenge targets. What global factors, and
those closer to home, were impacting current progress, and how were practices going about assessing and reducing carbon in projects? We asked readers about their clients’ attitudes, and their views on the priorities to focus on in designs when it comes to very low carbon emissions. We also got insights on the potential compromises on aesthetics and ‘liveability’ that might be needed, and how the architect’s role might be critical as we drive towards zero carbon.
Introduction
Architects are at the centre of the national agenda for driving forward zero carbon, being the fulcrum between client and contractor, translating clients’ ‘green goals’ aims into practical built solutions. However, with the multiplicity of components within the supply chain, it’s arguable that architects can only do so much to ensure quality of construction matches rigour of design for the lowest emissions possible in each case. And are they upskilling in all the areas required to know ‘what zero looks like?’
The race to zero
‘Net zero’ effectively means not emitting more greenhouse gases (principally CO2
) than are being absorbed, hitting a balance
between the two, but also often requiring measures to enable emissions to be ‘offset.’ Following the announcement of the UK’s 2050 legal obligation by PM Theresa May in 2019, Peter Tse of the Sustainable Construction Group, BSRIA commented: “The task ahead is truly challenging given the UK is currently significantly behind the targets set out in both the fourth and fifth carbon budgets. However, it is encouraging to see many businesses already leading the way.”
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
ADF NOVEMBER 2022
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 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
