Reducing the UK’s construction stock’s carbon emissions are among the biggest hurdles facing the country as it races to reach zero netting
The guide responds to conclusions published at the end of last year that the majority of renewable energy purchases in the UK have little impact on the country’s total carbon emissions.
Construction and building management companies who want to reduce their efforts to mitigate the climate impact of Britain’s construction sector can take on new guidance today, as the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) launches a publication new advice on access to renewable energy and carbon footprint.
The guide aims to tackle a puzzle published by last year’s findings from a report from the Committee on Climate Change, which recommended that renewable electricity supply in the UK would have the least impact on overall carbon emissions. of the country. The report examined how most of the renewable energy that corporations receive today, for example through existing wind farms, or with the support of government subsidies, means that it would appear to have been built regardless of whether a corporate customer could be. lorg. The analysis was similar to Ofgem’s conclusions that most green tariffs “do not provide environmental benefits in addition to existing generation”.
To address this challenge, the new guidance published today sets out a set of principles that companies can use to assess the quality of renewable energy supply routes, with the main aim of “ -ris ”- which is driving a significant increase in the UK’s renewable energy. comas.
The guidance also sets out advice on the use of carbon offsets, urging companies to use them only to compensate for “unavoidable emissions” in a period of time associated with the pollution point, which it designates as annual for operational energy, and at the completion stage. for construction projects.
To help companies identify high-quality trails, the guidance explains how environmental integrity is proven, the existing carbon standards that ensure integrity, and how domestic carbon standards can play a role within organizational zero strategies.
“Planning for reductions in total life carbon and increased energy efficiency are just two pieces of a complex puzzle when it comes to our transition to zero carbon buildings,” said Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive at UKGBC , when she launched the new publication, a with the title Renewable Energy Supply and Carbon Offset Management for Clean Carbon Buildings.
“This guidance marks an important step forward in helping the industry meet our net zero targets, and ultimately responding to the climate crisis with appropriate buildings. for the future, “she said.
The guide – designed for use by property developers, designers, owners, occupiers and policy makers – was developed by the UKGBC in collaboration with an action group of 32 industry experts. It is part of UKGBC’s Net Zero Advanced Program, launched in 2018 to help lead the low-carbon transition and to help deliver the emissions reductions required from construction and property developers if the UK is going to meet the 2050 net zero target.