Elementa supports UK Green Building Council’s industry framework for net zero carbon buildings
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) will today unveil a framework for the UK construction and property industry to transition new and existing buildings to becoming net zero carbon by 2050, in line with the ambitions of the Paris Climate Agreement. Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP will a keynote address to over 150 attendees at the framework launch event in Parliament.
The report follows six months of intense industry engagement, involving over 180 experts and stakeholders from across the built environment value chain including Elementa, and is supported by 13 trade associations and industry bodies including BPF, RICS and RIBA. It provides an overarching framework of consistent principles and metrics that can be integrated into tools, policies and practices, and aims to build consensus in the industry on the approach to decarbonising buildings.
The new framework offers guidance for developers, owners and occupiers targeting net zero carbon buildings, setting out key principles to follow and outlining how such a claim should be measured and evidenced. Two approaches to net zero carbon are proposed by the framework which can be accurately measured today:
- Net zero carbon – construction: the embodied emissions associated with products and construction should be measured, reduced and offset to achieve net zero carbon.
- Net zero carbon – operational energy: The energy used by the building in operation should be reduced and where possible any demand met through renewable energy. Any remaining emissions from operational energy use should be offset to achieve net zero carbon.
With today’s report presented as a starting point, the next ten years will see the scope and ambition of the framework increased to encourage greater action. In the short-term, additional requirements will be introduced to challenge the industry, including minimum energy efficiency targets and limits on the use of offsets. In the longer term, the two approaches for construction and operational energy will be integrated into a broader approach for net zero whole life carbon, covering all of the emissions associated with the construction, operation, maintenance and demolition of a building.
Read the full press release and published report here: https://www.ukgbc.org/ukgbc-work/net-zero-carbon-buildings-a-framework-definition/
About UKGBC
UKGBC is an industry-led network with a mission to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment.
A charity with over 400 member organisations spanning the entire value chain, we represent the voice of the industry’s current and future leaders who are striving for transformational change.
We inspire, challenge and empower our members, helping them to identify and adopt the most sustainable, viable solutions.
We also engage our members in advocating a progressive message to government, informing and influencing policy.