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 | Sep 2, 2020
California releases guide for state water policy
Water Resilience Portfolio is roadmap for meeting water needs as climate changes.
Codes and Standards | Aug 31, 2020
Fenestration alliance updates fenestration sealants guide
First update to 2009 document.
Codes and Standards | Aug 25, 2020
Platform will allow researchers to test energy system integration at scale
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently launched the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform.
Codes and Standards | Aug 20, 2020
Wariness of elevators may stymie office reopening
Workers could balk at returning to high-rises.
Codes and Standards | Aug 19, 2020
Existing laws may be restricting efforts to cut carbon emissions
Outdated policies favor fossil fuels.
Codes and Standards | Aug 18, 2020
Florida becomes the third state to adopt concrete repair code
Sets minimum requirements for design, construction, repair of concrete structural elements in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2020
ASCE seeks comments on seismic standard
Pertains to design criteria for nuclear facilities.
Codes and Standards | Aug 13, 2020
COVID-19 reboot guide offers strategies for reopening K-12 schools
Looks at space considerations for reopening at different scales.
Codes and Standards | Aug 12, 2020
Document provides guidance for mass timber construction
Overview of Intl. Building Code requirements included.
Codes and Standards | Aug 11, 2020
Inefficient air conditioning is a key contributor to global warming
More efficient equipment and buildings could make a big difference.