Carbon emissions in the built environment
The term ‘carbon emissions’ refers to the release into the atmosphere of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Carbon dioxide is a naturally-occurring colourless and odourless gas that is integral to life. It is also a greenhouse gas and the burning of carbon-based fossil fuels means there is more carbon carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leading to increased rates of climate change.
Carbon-based fuels that release carbon dioxide when burned include timber, coal, gas, oil, petrol, diesel and so on.
The amount of carbon released by a particular event, person, building or thing is typically referred to as its ‘carbon footprint’, and is measured in tonnes of CO2. On a individual level, the main contributors to a carbon footprint include the amount of type of energy that is used to heat the home, the use of electrical appliances, type of transport, amount of air travel, and so on.
The Building Regulations set out requirements for specific aspects of building design and construction. Regulation 26 of the building regulations states that 'where a building is erected, it shall not exceed the target CO2 emission rate for the building…'.
The target CO2 emission rate (TER) sets a minimum allowable standard for the energy performance of a building and is defined by the annual CO2 emissions of a notional building of same type, size and shape to the proposed building. TER is expressed in annual kg of CO2 per sq. m.
Energy performance certificates (EPCs), set out the energy efficiency rating of buildings. They are required when buildings are built, sold or rented, if they have a roof and walls and use energy to condition an indoor climate.
The establishment of the Climate Change Act 2008 committed the UK to reducing greenhouse gases by at least 80% by 2050 (compared to the 1990 baseline), with a reduction of at least 34% by 2020. A strategy for how this was to be achieved was set out in The Carbon Plan published in December 2011.
The commitment to reducing carbon emissions is a considerable, and often controversial, factor in the development of major infrastructure projects such as the third runway at Heathrow Airport, with activists arguing that its construction will tie the UK into an increased rate of emissions for many years.
In December 2006, the then Labour government committed that from 2016 all new homes would be ‘zero carbon’ and introduced the Code for Sustainable Homes, against which the sustainability of new homes could be rated. However, on 10 July 2015, the government published ‘Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation’ which made the surprising decision to scrap the zero carbon homes initiative.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Carbon capture and storage.
- Carbon capture processes.
- Carbon dioxide.
- Carbon dioxide equivalent.
- Carbon emissions reduction target CERT.
- Carbon factor.
- Carbon footprint.
- Carbon negative.
- Carbon neutral.
- Carbon Plan.
- Carbon ratings for buildings.
- Consumption emissions.
- Emission factor.
- Fugitive emissions.
- Greenhouse gases.
- Net zero carbon building.
- Operational emissions.
- Process carbon dioxide emissions.
- Reducing UK emissions: 2018 Progress Report to Parliament.
- Residual emissions.
- Target emission rate.
- The Carbon Project: improving carbon emission data.
- Upfront emissions.
- Zero net regulated carbon emissions.
Featured articles and news
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing with 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.