Building a Greener Future:Zero carbon homes Communities and Local Government

Contents

Climate change

Government’s domestic agenda

Zero carbon homes

Code for Sustainable Homes and EPCs

Questions

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1990 1995 2000 2005

Global warming is a real and urgent problem

Stern Review (2006). IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (2006).

Global emissions (GtCO2e)

Non-

CO2

CO2

Climate Change Impact

Climate Change impact on the UK

… for the UK this means warmer temperatures wetter winters and drier summersMore extreme weatherhigher sea levelsUnless we do something !

UK targets:

12.5% reduction of greenhouse gases from 1990 baseline by 2008-2012 under Kyoto Protocol

Government target to reduce CO2 by 20% by 2010 and goal of 60% by 2050

Climate Change Bill - will establish 60% goal as legal target, enabling powers, reporting and set up Climate Change Committee

Wide package of measures - from regulatory change ot behaviour change

And the Government is responding strongly on the domestic climate change agenda

Buildings make a significant contribution to climate change

In 2003, the UK emitted 560M tonnes of CO2(1)

Industrial buildings

5%

Industrial process

22%

Domestic26%

Agriculture1%

Transport33%

Commercial and Public buildings

13%

Carbon emissions from energy use in buildings account for nearly half of UK emissions, our homes 27%

(1) Source: Dukes 2003 and BRE data

1/3 of the energy that we use to heat homes is wasted through poor insulation.

Our response: Towards zero carbon development

One third of the homes standing in 2050 will have been built between now and then

Ruth Kelly announced in December 2006 that new homes will be zero carbon by 2016, with steps towards that in 2010 (25% improvement) and 2013 (44% improvement)

This will be supported by Stamp duty exemption for zero carbon homes Code for Sustainable Homes Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change Energy Performance Certificates

The Code for Sustainable Homes

What is it?

A single national standard cover aspects of sustainable design and construction of a home

A mark of quality – enabling developers to demonstrate the sustainability of their homes and differentiate themselves from their competitors

What does the Code mean to industry and householders?

Enabling developers to demonstrate the sustainability of their homes and differentiate themselves from their competitors

Empowers home buyers to drive demand for more sustainable homes

Code for Sustainable HomesMinimum Standards

No minimum standardsPollution

Health & Well-Being

Management

Ecology

Minimum Standards at Code entry levelMaterials

Surface Water Run Off

Waste

Minimum Standards at each Level of the CodeEnergy Efficiency

Water Efficiency

FlexibilityCategories

Code & the future of Building Regs

Equivalent

Energy standard in the Code

Zero Carbon44%25%

Energy / Carbon improvement as compared to Part

L (Building Regulations

2006)

201620132010

Energy Performance Certificates

EPCs will be eventually be needed every time a building is constructed, sold or let. Phased in from 1 August 07

Commissioned by the seller/landlord

‘Made available’ to prospective buyers or tenants

Given to eventual tenant or purchaser

Energy graphs in estate agents’ particulars

Shows current and potential energy performance and recommendations for improvement

Questions?