Low carbon and the built environment

The built environment is seen as a major sector in which to achieve the goal of carbon reduction as this area is responsible for close to 50% of all carbon emissions in the UK.

Interesting ideas are emerging in relation to handling carbon within the built environment. The DECC strategy document Warmer Homes, Greener Homes: a Strategy for Household Energy Management sets out goals in relation to insulation and the installation of smart meters as well as financial initiatives such as a “Pay as you Save” whereby the cost of energy upgrades are attached to the property and not the homeowner.

The Government recognises the importance of the built environment and has funded research such as the project team set up by Foresight “Sustainable Energy Management and the Built Environment”  which produced the Powering our Lives: Sustainable Energy Management and the Built Environment report

Radical plans for direct intervention within the built environment sphere have also been proposed.

Some of the ideas set out in the heat and energy saving strategy consultation programme are summarised in the powerpoint presentation below:

Other initiatives include the consultation on the “Community Energy Saving Programme”