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INDUSTRY VIEWFINDER: WORKING TOWARDS ZERO CARBON
but another complained that being a “small practice” they “could not afford the time and resources to do this in detail on the fees we have.” They said that despite this, they were using the BRE Green Guide as “a useful base” alongside their own research, in order to inform specification choices.
Materials & information We asked our survey sample whether such ‘greenwash’ remained a big problem, for example suppliers with various ranges promoting ‘me-too’ products with ‘eco’ claims) for achieving clarity when specifying, and identifying the best solution for a project. Unfortunately, 60% said this was the case, meaning that the onus is on manufacturers to try and work harder with specifiers to identify the kind of clarity that they require and avoid complicating the picture further.
EXPERT VIEW
Rodrigo Moreno Masey said ‘greenwash’ was hard to calibrate: “There is no standard for what ‘green’ is – a bit green is still green.”
Louisa Bowles added: “A lot of companies are claiming carbon neutral or zero products when they are relying on offsets rather than improving their manufacturing methods.”
Despite timber’s extremely good credentials for embodied carbon as well as a host of other sustainability factors, its specification has been knocked back in the UK following the government’s knee-jerk ban on combustible materials in high-rises, post-Grenfell. Cost of materials was however the biggest obstacle to timber currently for our respondents (63%), followed by supply chain delays (36%), before we get to ‘assumptions on fire safety’ in terms of how timber actually performs in a fire (30% saying it was a challenge to specification). ‘Post-Grenfell measures on combustible materials’ came in at fourth with 24% picking it as a factor, a fairly moderate though still significant placing. However, the supply shortage and inflationary issues have emerged as an even bigger disincentive for timber currently, which must be addressed, probably via government incentive, if zero carbon (and offsite construction) aims are going to be achieved.
Offsetting
Many major companies who are pursuing zero carbon goals have been employing offsetting due to the vast challenge of reducing their energy output, meaning that they can achieve the arithmetic of reduced carbon emissions by investing in certain technologies, for example offshore wind. Our survey respondents were somewhat split on the question of whether, for their clients, carbon offsetting was a necessity. While half (48%) believed that it was, a substantial number (35%) said it wasn’t.
According to RIBA, “net zero whole life carbon” should “be prioritised in lower density areas” via the use of onsite renewables. However, in urban areas, achieving net zero will “likely require additional offsite renewable energy generation, with certified woodland offsetting in the UK as a last resort.”
EXPERT VIEW
Louisa Bowles says that offsetting is a fact of life: “It is possible to meet net zero for embodied carbon without an offset, but rarely onsite for large, dense
inner city projects.”
Design compromises Our respondents didn’t believe that a compromise on expected aesthetics was a ‘given’ in zero carbon schemes, with a resounding two-thirds (66%) saying that aesthetics weren’t ‘likely to be compromised,’ although some acknowledged that buildings’ look may change. And in terms of whether floor area would impact on ‘liveability’ in affordable residential schemes, a similar number (59%) said this wasn’t the case. However, commenters did caution that effort was needed to avoid overly ‘boxy’ schemes.
EXPERT VIEW
Louisa Bowles says that she doesn’t believe low carbon leads to aesthetic or functional compromises. “Internal environments should be more comfortable and controllable in a fabric first, well oriented and ventilated home with smart technology.”
Rodrigo Moreno Masey singles out aesthetic assumptions: “The issue is that education and media is pointed at a stylistic, intellectual elitism that defines notions of beauty based around the idea of excess. Until we start reframing ‘beauty,’ it will always be seen as a compromise.”
Challenges in certain sectors such as heritage were highlighted, for example: “Adding enough insulation to reach Building Regulation compliance will require changing the character and therefore architectural importance of buildings.” Another respondent said that creating larger floorplates “will raise the cost of already overpriced buildings as either more land will be required, reducing density and developer feasibility or the room sizes will reduce to accommodate the budget.” Another mentioned that although the capital cost for homes is likely to increase, the client will benefit long-term from much lower bills, and also on the liveability question, the opinion was given that low energy use homes tend to offer better comfort.
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ADF NOVEMBER 2022
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