Drivers

Sustainable development is described regularly as ‘development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. Involved in this statement is the need to protect the environment and conserve natural resources whilst still making social progress. Designing low emissions buildings fulfils all of the above criteria as technology develops to meet demands and atmospheric emissions are minimised.

The lowering of emissions, in particular CO₂ emissions, is crucial for fiscal and legislative reasons, as well as the obvious environmental reasons. Following the Kyoto summit, the UK government is legally committed to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by 12.5%, compared to 1990 levels, by 2012. Additionally, the Royal Commission on Environmental Protection has set a goal of a 50% reduction in carbon dioxide by the year 2050. As a means of reaching this goal, the government has imposed the climate change levy, whereby all power produced from non-renewable sources is subject to a charge per unit. This is, of course, a financial incentive to use renewable sources of energy.

As highlighted in the White Paper on renewable sources of energy, less than 6% of Europe’s energy consumption is currently produced from renewable sources. A target of 12% energy from renewable sources has been set for 2010. The White Paper highlights the importance of using renewable sources on reducing imports of fuels and providing security of supply, as renewable sources are indigenous to an area. There is also the potential to create jobs in this area.

The European Directive on the energy performance of buildings estimates that residential and tertiary sector buildings account for more than 40% of final energy consumption. Vast amounts of energy are wasted annually due to poorly constructed buildings with no thought for energy efficiency. There are numerous ways in which the emissions associated with buildings can be reduced. Some methods are fairly complex and others are the essence of simplicity. The sixth amendment to the building regulations came into effect in March 2002. Part J of this amendment refers to Scotland, whilst Part L refers to England and Wales. The amendment establishes minimum U-values for a building, which unfortunately are only equivalent to those which Scandinavian countries have adopted for many years. Never the less there will be an increase of energy efficiency in buildings. Additionally, the European Directive on the energy performance of buildings sets out the standard, which would be geared towards the local climate and based on best practise, by which long-term energy consumption of buildings is minimised. It also sets outs standards for the renovation of buildings, which goes unmentioned in the building regulations.

There is a great deal of potential to reduce emissions from buildings, both from technology already available and from research which will see new technologies developing in the short term. The development of low emissions buildings is hampered by a resistance to change and a lack of confidence and familiarity with the technical and economical potential of renewable technologies. This difficulty, which is shown throughout industry, provides the main driver for this project: providing information on renewable and passive technologies as well as a methodology for their potential use. As stated at the outset, there is a vast array of advantages to building sustainable, low emissions buildings. These encompass financial, environmental and social advantages, such as the positive impact on public relations to be had from appearing environmentally friendly.

CURRENT PRACTICE