Half of public sector bodies not planning for net zero carbon
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Over half of public sector bodies and quangos across the country (52%) are not planning for net zero carbon by 2050, according to research by ECA.
[edit] Summary of responses
Overall, just 30 per cent of respondents said they were planning towards net zero carbon by 2050, while a further 18 per cent said they were partially planning for the legally mandated requirement. The remainder either said there were not currently planning for net zero, or did not know if they were.
In addition, over half of respondents (53 per cent) did not know the 2018 carbon footprint of their organisation’s HQ building.
[edit] ECA comments
ECA energy advisor Luke Osborne commented:
“These findings show that many public sector bodies have major work to do if they are to meet the Government’s legally binding commitment for net zero carbon by 2050.
“ECA urges all public sector bodies to lead by example and get zero carbon done, by monitoring their energy usage, as well as quickly putting into place plans for the next 30 years.”
Around half of respondents (47 per cent) said they have a plan in place to generally reduce carbon emissions relating to their built assets, which include offices and other facilities. Around one in five (18 per cent) said they did not have a plan, while the remainder (35 per cent) said they did not know.
[edit] Response demographics
Overall, 78 public sector bodies and quangos responded to ECA’s freedom of information request earlier this year. Respondents included 12 executive agencies, 52 quangos, and 14 non-ministerial departments.
Last year, the Government brought in legally binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero by 2050.
A previous FOI request conducted by ECA in November 2019 found that 78 per cent of local authorities in England were planning towards net zero by 2050.
This article originally appeared on the ECA website. It was published on 29 September 2020.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.
Skills gap for net zero highlighted to Minister for Industry
ECA convenes roundtable discussion at Portcullis House.
Evidencing Net Zero with the new UK buildings standard
Pilot version with detailed excel proforma out now!
Scottish Building Safety Levy, in consultation
From direct remediation and the RPDT, to the costs and alternatives.
Waves of warmer homes grants for the rental sector
Boosting energy efficiency standards for all rented homes.
A refocus of the National Planning Policy Framework
Key terms described in brief, as the consultation closes the evening of the 24th.
Fortified farmhouses of the unruly 16th-and 17th-century borders.