The national picture

The Prime Minister’s letter to CIC highlights Government commitment to change at both an international and at a national level. A central element in the Government strategy at a national level is the enactment of the new Climate Change Act 2008.

Under the Climate Change Act 2008, the Government aims to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. 

There are several elements to the Government’s carbon agenda. These are:

• Defining what low carbon is
• Developing measuring tools and accounting standards for carbon
• Developing carbon trading strategies
• Pursuing a national low carbon energy strategy
• Actively encouraging a low carbon approach within the built environment
• The promotion of a low carbon economy

All these affect the construction industry.

The key planning document is the Low Carbon Transition Plan (5MB)

Defining low carbon

The task of defining zero carbon was the subject of a major consultation from CLG. Allied to this is another recent definition on carbon neutrality.

Measurement

A necessary precursor to the development of a standard for carbon accounting, is the quest for common definitions. The British Standards Institute (BSI),  together with its international counterparts CEN and ISO are working on standards in relation to carbon emissions form buildings and their component materials and systems.  One particularly important development is development of a “proto-standard”  BS PAS 2050 on the measurement of embodied gases in products and services.

In a fast changing environment there are at least four strands of development in  relation to standardisation as it impacts on carbon. 

The European Union has directives which affect issues concerning the measurement of carbon. One important area within the built environment sphere is the Energy Performance Building Directive. This directive is in the process of change and  proposal for a recast of this directive has been published.

Carbon trading

While some recent consultations discuss direct intervention measures there are also other ideas such as the carbon reduction commitment which seek to change behaviour in other ways.

Low energy carbon strategy

Major elements in the promotion of a low carbon energy strategy are:

• The drive for renewables
• Renewal of the nuclear capacity
• Carbon capture technologies