A group of more than 50 business leaders in the United Kingdom have called on the government to set a goal of mandating zero-carbon buildings by 2030.
The goal would be to reduce all energy use as far as technically possible, with the remaining energy demand to be met through renewables. The letter making the recommendation was signed by a wide range of investors, property developers, manufacturers, and construction industry executives.
The letter says that U.K. buildings currently contribute 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions and that reducing this number can help meet the commitments of the Paris climate agreement. The construction and property sector “stands ready to deliver on bold targets for energy performance and low carbon solutions,” according to the document.
The head of the U.K. Green Business Council says that there have not been changes to Building Regulations since 2014, and that the scrapping of the zero carbon policy in 2015 was both “confusing and unnecessary.”
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2017
Boston’s Old South Church asks tower developer for $19 million for casting shade
Request highlights ongoing conflict between developers and residents over right to sunshine.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2017
Asphalt roofing design guide now available in digital form
Recently updated Modified Bitumen Design Guide can be viewed on smartphones and tablets.
Codes and Standards | Oct 23, 2017
Energy efficiency investments on the rise; will increase next year
Survey of facility management executives shows onsite renewables, energy storage will spike in 2018.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2017
AIA contract document updates include new BIM, digital data provisions
Documents are structurally different from 2007, 2008 versions.
Codes and Standards | Oct 19, 2017
IAPMO seeks proposals for 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code
The deadline is March 16, 2018.
Codes and Standards | Oct 18, 2017
States impacted by hurricanes are improving their energy efficiency policies
Florida, Texas, rise in ACEEE state energy efficiency scorecard.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2017
Updated versions of EnergyPlus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools released
Open-source apps include enhancements for urban-scale modeling.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2017
New, comprehensive insurance exhibit released in AIA 2017 contract document updates
Will allow AIA to make updates more frequently as insurance market changes.
Codes and Standards | Oct 12, 2017
New AIA contract document designates responsibilities for sustainable projects
Roles of architects, contractors outlined in E204–2017.
Codes and Standards | Oct 11, 2017
Data, transparency are keys to next steps in green building, says USGBC chief
Monitoring and comparing performance are critical to advancing sustainability goals.