Berkeley Group has welcomed the publication of a new 'framework' for the UK construction and property industry to transition new and existing buildings to becoming net zero carbon by 2050.
The report, by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), has been co-sponsored by Berkeley Group and was launched today.
The publication follows six months of intense industry engagement, involving over 180 experts and stakeholders from across the built environment value chain, and is supported by 13 trade associations and industry bodies including BPF, RICS and RIBA.
It provides an overarching framework of consistent principles and metrics that can be integrated into tools, policies and practices, and aims to build consensus in the industry on the approach to decarbonising buildings.
Richard Twinn, Senior Policy Advisor at UKGBC said:
"The urgency of tackling climate change means that businesses must work together to drive down emissions as fast as possible. But this requires a shared vision for what needs to be achieved and the action that needs to be taken. This framework is intended as a catalyst for the construction and property to build consensus on the low carbon transition and start to work towards consistent and ambitious outcomes."
Rob Perrins, Chief Executive, Berkeley Group said:
"This framework is an important step towards defining zero carbon buildings and helping the industry understand how they can be delivered. We want to help lead this work, which is so important to decarbonising the built environment and protecting our planet for future generations. Sustainability runs through everything we do at Berkeley Group. We have already become a carbon positive business and have committed to creating new homes that can operate at net zero carbon by 2030."
The new framework offers guidance for developers, owners and occupiers targeting net zero carbon buildings, setting out key principles to follow and outlining how such a claim should be measured and evidenced. Two approaches to net zero carbon are proposed by the framework which can be accurately measured today:
- Net zero carbon - construction: the embodied emissions associated with products and construction should be measured, reduced and offset to achieve net zero carbon.
- Net zero carbon - operational energy: The energy used by the building in operation should be reduced and where possible any demand met through renewable energy. Any remaining emissions from operational energy use should be offset to achieve net zero carbon.
With today's report presented as a starting point, the next ten years will see the scope and ambition of the framework increased to encourage greater action.
In the short-term, additional requirements will be introduced to challenge the industry, including minimum energy efficiency targets and limits on the use of offsets.
In the longer term, the two approaches for construction and operational energy will be integrated into a broader approach for net zero whole life carbon, covering all of the emissions associated with the construction, operation, maintenance and demolition of a building.
The work has been supported by lead partner Redevco Foundation, and partners BAM, Berkeley Group, Grosvenor, JLL and Hoare Lea.
'Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A framework definition' is available to download here https://www.ukgbc.org/ukgbc-work/advancing-net-zero/.
UKGBC is an industry-led network with a mission to radically improve the sustainability of the built environment. Find out more at www.ukgbc.org.