Impact of building services on net zero
CIBSE has long been active on the topic of climate change mitigation and adaptation, linking it to building performance. To increase its efforts, in July 2019 CIBSE produced its first Climate Action Plan, mapping current and planned activities in the areas where they have a duty and the ability to act as a professional institution. CIBSE committed to review the plan regularly, and the Summer 2022 version is the third annual update.
Building Services Engineers have a vital role in delivering net zero buildings which are adapted for climate change. The CIBSE Climate Action Plan reflects the ongoing work and impact that building services engineers have in finding innovative ways to make buildings perform for individuals, the community, and the planet. In line with long-standing CIBSE advocacy, it has a strong focus on performance outcomes, energy efficiency, and in-use evaluation.
The plan details areas related to CIBSE as a professional institution, its premises, events, dissemination of information, policy research, professional competence, and training. The latest revision includes updates on collaboration with wider industry, training and CPD commitments, the CIBSE Building Performance Awards, contributions to policy, and new and updated guidance.
The updated CIBSE Climate Action Plan maps current progress and identifies areas for further action and development. It provides updates relating to ongoing collaboration including the CIBSE LETI net zero FAQs, providing guidance on what net zero means in practice, along with CIBSE’s involvement in a coalition of leading industry bodies to develop a UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. This is essential to deliver outcomes which are technically robust, trusted, and have cross-industry backing.
CIBSE has started a strategic review of training offered in support of the net zero agenda.
After committing to introducing mandatory CPD on climate change and safety, the CIBSE CPD panel have started the process of implementing mandatory CPD on climate change.
CIBSE continues to work on policy, including the Future Homes Standard, operational ratings for non-domestic buildings, Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), and various heat decarbonisation workstreams.
Since the previous version, published in August 2021, CIBSE has produced a large range of new and updated guidance on topics including heat pumps, embodied carbon, electrification of buildings and building performance modelling.
The third revision of the plan is available for free download from the CIBSE website: https://go.cibse.org/CIBSEClimateActionPlan2022
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings.
Featured articles and news
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.
ECA shares advice for those who may be exposed to risks.
How to revolutionise UK housing with MMC
CIC and Supply Chain Sustainability School unveil a plan.
From the UKs largest manufacturer and supplier of lime.
From mud bricks to smart concrete
A brief history from 7000BC to a future on the moon.
Regulator of Social Housing publishes latest fire safety report
Covering remediation of 11 metre plus social housing sector buildings.
Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024
Approved for priority drafting by Government of Ireland.
The long list with in the frame of key historical events.
Competence frameworks for sustainability in the built environment
Code of practice, core criteria consultation draft for comment.
New Floods Resilience Taskforce
With a wet met office autumn prediction.