ZERO CARBON BUILDINGS IN BRITAIN

This optimistic preliminary report from an official UK agency recommends that the first step toward building new “zero-carbon” non-residential buildings is the compilation of an energy-use data base. In other words, “It looks like we can do it but we don’t know what we don’t know.”

Leaders and report authors agree it will ultimately take government policy pointing the way for private enterprise. Paul King, Chief Executive, UK Green Building Council: “…Government needs to accept its responsibility to set good policy focusing on outcomes, and in return industry can and must respond and innovate…”

Many in the US hope this kind of public-private partnership can emerge after the 2008 election.

Zero-carbon possible in non-domestic buildings
20 December 2007 (Environmental Data Interactive Exchange - EDIE)

WHO
UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), UK Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG),

From the new report: Estimated costs of using available New Energies. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
According to UK-GBC’s Carbon Reductions in New Non-Domestic Buildings, most new non-residential buildings can be “zero-carbon” by incorporating local sources of New Energy. The cost increase might be as low as 5 to 10%.

WHEN
- This report is preliminary.
- Although the current UK goal is to produce zero-carbon new buildings by 2016, this report described a 2020 target as “challenging.”

From the new report: Recommended efficiciencies. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
To achieve the zero-carbon target, new buildings must make use of New Energy “onsite, near-site and offsite…”

WHY
- The report was commissioned by CLG and was the result of several months of work by UK-GBC experts.
- The report is not intended as a basis for policy decisions but as a guide toward the government’s goal.

The UK is also developing plans for New Energy in residential buildings.

QUOTES
Paul King, Chief Executive, UK-GBC: "This is about government and industry both taking responsibility…UK-GBC members are up for ambitious targets on sustainability…We need a policy direction that provides sufficient urgency and certainty for investment, and a trajectory that is ambitious and stretching - but ultimately achievable…we should be bold in our target setting, and work together to overcome the challenges en route."