What are the main concerns of the London Environmental Strategy? 

There are a number of Mayoral plans that the Strategy is concerned with, these include:

• Culture
• Economic development
• Health inequalities
• Housing
• London Plan
• Transport

What challenges does the London Environment Strategy plan to undertake?

The London Environment Strategy recognises challenges, such as the detrimental effects of climate change and the unacceptable levels of harmful pollutants that cause the toxicity of our air. The strategy communicates other risks. For example, both flooding and conversely water scarcity, devaluation of river water quality (only 2 out of 47 rivers in London are classed as ‘good’). There is also a heat risk of the centre of London increasing in temperature by up to 10°C, this is called the Urban Heat Island Effect, which increases emissions due to an intensified demand for cooling. London’s biodiversity is also under threat due to the paving over of green spaces and therefore the loss of habitats. Furthermore, it is of concern that by 2026 landfill capacity is expected to expire. Building infrastructure to cater for an increasing population of what is now 8.7 million, expected to increase to 11.1 million people in 2050, has the potential to push the impact on our environment further, not least by noise pollution, especially with the proposed expansion of Heathrow airport, exposing a further 200,000 people to the current 2.4 million people exposed to the ambient noise.

What causes air pollution? 

When biofuels, biomass and fossil fuels do not completely combust, black carbon remains in our air, it is comprised of fine particulate matter which is a composite of the non-gaseous material of mixed chemical composition. Black carbon heats the atmosphere by absorbing sunlight. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is another adverse air pollutant to be wary of. Nitrogen oxide (NO_x) is mostly derived from heating systems and road transport. In the air nitrogen oxide can easily be converted to nitrogen dioxide, therefore it is vital to control NO_x emissions in order to scale down the concentration of NO₂. The London Environment Strategy states that 37% of NOx emissions is sourced from the built environment.

“More than 9000 Londoners die prematurely every  year as a direct consequence of our air”

Air pollution has a negative impact on our health, increasing our chances of having a stroke, developing heart disease, asthma, dementia and causing underdeveloped lungs in young people.

How can we strive towards cleaner air?

Vehicles are fundamental contributors to air pollution and therefore choosing to drive less and use public transport or walk/cycle instead will benefit our atmosphere. Infrastructure can improve our motivation to make this choice and if cycle routes were more accessible, we might feel more compelled to cycle. Plants naturally capture and store carbon and therefore green spaces should be expanded, 33% of London is built up of farmland, parks and woodland and 14% of London consists of private domestic green space. In 2017 this ranked London 10th out of 30 world cities in terms of its percentage of green space. Green spaces should be integrated and made more accessible in London’s urban landscape, green roofs, green walls and sustainable drainage can optimise our air and water quality.

The London Environmental Strategy aims for the following: 

• London should aim to be a zero waste city. This means no non-biodegradable waste will be sent to landfill after 2026 and Londoners should recycle 65% of their municipal waste by 2030.
• Londoners should develop resilience against extreme weather, such as drought, heat risk and flooding.
• By 2050 London should be a zero carbon city.
• By 2050 tree canopy cover should increase by 10% and more than 50% of London’s area should be green. 
• There should be an improved quality of life for all Londoners, keeping noise pollution to a minimum and encouraging more quiet and peaceful spaces
• London should aim to have the greatest air quality by 2050 amongst all major world cities.

How will making environmental improvements impact our lives?

At present London’s economy suffers a £3.7 billion loss due to air pollution. If the strategy is successful this money can be invested elsewhere; hopefully to solve other environmental issues. Our lives should be broadly benefited by the London Environment Strategy. Cleaner air and water will improve our mental and physical well-being, therefore improving our productivity levels and, most importantly, our health. The King’s Report (2015) addresses an inadmissible statistic of 20% of Primary schools being situated in areas that infringe the legal limit for NO₂ . The London Environment Strategy seeks to rectify this by working in accordance with the framework composed by the London Local Air Quality Management (LLAQM) to prohibit future generations from suffering with under developed lungs. The sale of non-smokeless fuels in London may be banned in the future, however the changes we make in our lifestyles to accommodate this strategy will entice a healthier and more sustainable way of living for all.

Is it possible? 

The Clean Air Act was put into place over 60 years ago and since then we have seen a decrease in harmful levels of lead, benzene and sulphur dioxide pollution. London has overcome the great stink of the Victorian era and the great smog of 1952 – there is no reason to not be actively reducing the effects of air pollution in our present day. Together with current drivers, such as the Climate Change act’s NetZero target, the Clean Growth Strategy and the planned Future Homes Standard, step by step it is clear that regional plans such as the London Environment Strategy have an important role to play.

The new 18th Edition of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) wiring regulations (BS 7671:2018) has been in force since January 2019.

Energy efficiency appears within the 18th edition’s 64 new pages for the very first time. These are set out within appendix 17. Aside from the electrical contracting industry, appendix 17 will be of particular interest to organisations that operate an ISO 14001 environmental or ISO 50001 energy management system and therefore need to be aware of their compliance obligations.

Design: What must be considered?

Consideration of energy performance at design stage is an essential component. The load profile should be determined, for example, by being distinguished over a period of at least 24 hours, whether demand for energy is passive or active. For example, in a supermarket, if an escalator would only be active and require energy during occupancy times, the load profile could otherwise be considered passive. Similar could be true of an active ventilation system that uses passive, free cooling to purge the building of heat at night.

With knowledge of when energy is required, it is important to assess where the energy will come from. In order to make optimum use of renewable energy, the designer must also be aware of the type of local generation available. For example, solar energy, wind power, hydroelectric etc. This will reduce the total losses in the public electricity network.

Furthermore, choosing electrical components with care is an important consideration. For example, if you choose an AC induction motor then surplus energy is given off in the form of heat when used at less than full-load settings. This can be counteracted by choosing products with high efficiency, for example being graded IE2 (high efficiency), IE3 (premium efficiency) or IE4 (super premium efficiency). The installation of wiring systems must also be efficient and reduce energy losses by considering power factor correction and by limiting the voltage drop.

It is important for the designer to really understand the user needs in order to ensure that energy is not wasted on impractical design features. Being informed of the user’s energy needs leads to an opportunity for energy to be rationed as a consequence of load shedding. The user can make a judgement whether a certain zone does not need to consume energy at a particular time of day; the energy can then be cut off in that zone when convenient. This could be described as a controlled blackout to reduce the risk of unpredictable future blackouts throughout the building.

Reducing energy loss

Engineers, designers, heating engineers and builders alike can benefit from the guidance of appendix 17, simply by making intelligent decisions with regard to establishing zones and determining which energy usage is required within those zones. Zones might be based upon different activities such as, lighting, heating, ventilation, or cooling and those familiar with SBEM modelling for Part L of building regulations will see the similarities.

For instance, heating profiles may allow for the creation of heating or cooling zones within a building, or zoning for lighting may take into consideration the level of natural day light, which could lead to separate controls where areas in close proximity to windows give less need for artificial light.

An understanding of thermal performance of a building could be another consideration, such as how the thermal mass of the building could aid either heating or cooling, leading to some simple decisions such as location of heaters. For instance, avoiding external walls for the placement of room heaters in favour of siting on an internal wall can use the capacitance of the building fabric to store and later release heat, rather than to lose heat through the exterior walls.

Why is it important to analyse data?

Organising wiring systems in zones makes measuring and monitoring energy efficiency more accessible. During installation there must be provision to document energy consumption at numerous significant points throughout the building or process. These measurements must be taken with accuracy and precision for later analysis.

It should be possible to measure total consumption for each hour of each day in kWhs and should be collected and stored somewhere accessible to the user for at least one year. The principle here is that ‘what gets measured gets managed’. It is an established principle that metering is the first step to reducing energy consumption and by extension, giving a method for future improvements to be monitored.

In addition, this gives a mechanism to easily collect data towards annual or periodic reporting, such as SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting) or ESOS (Energy saving opportunity scheme). Both provide government with data to show progress in line with the Clean Growth Strategy and NetZero.

It’s worth noting also that metering has already been a mandatory feature of certain projects or building under Part L of building regulations and the Heat metering regulations – appendix 17 will expand its use further.

What can you implement into your scheme to maximise energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency can be maximised by locally sourcing energy. Energy sensors can further identify where energy efficiency could be improved and should be the same class as the energy performance and monitoring devices. Forecasts concerning weather and occupancy can lead to improved energy performance. And data logging will provide us with historic data that can be employed to determine future energy demand. An accumulation of years of data can depict a diagnostic trend.

Lighting is responsible for a significant level of energy consumption, therefore it is important to take control and only use it when needed. This action can be aided with the use of brightness controls, dimming controls, light sensitive switches, movement detectors and timed switches.

The energy performance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) can be maximised by enforcing environmental controls and contemplating which HVAC equipment will be most advantageous for energy performance in terms of the installation, usage and structure.

In terms of reducing volt drop, it could be worth evaluating potential savings from reducing energy losses by expanding the cross-sectional area of conductors, despite the initial installation costs.

The circuit length within the building is also dependent on where the power source is located. If this is positioned optimally then the circuit length is reduced, and the electrical infrastructure optimally installed.

How could appendix 17 benefit your business?

If you decide to use energy efficient products and an energy efficient process, you will save money on energy bills as well as reducing your business’s carbon footprint.

Appendix 17 mentions that tariff structures are to be considered within your design. Many suppliers can offer lower energy rates during off-peak times if a sufficient energy storage system is installed.

This will have a positive impact on air quality as this will allow generators throughout the UK to even out their electrical load as there will be a decreased energy demand during the day and less energy wasted at night. Could this be applicable to your project or company?

It may also allow electrical contractors to become advanced in this field; ahead of when these advised regulations become compulsory, enhancing a contractors business’ reputation as a commendable contributor towards net-zero targets.

Is energy efficiency compulsory?

Energy efficiency is currently present in appendix 17. As an appendix, it is therefore only observed as guidance and is not obligatory. However, with regard to the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, it is no surprise that in future upgraded editions of the IET wiring regulations intends to develop energy efficiency as a mandatory requirement. Energy efficiency will become part 8 of the IET wiring regulations.

Conclusion

It is clear that the Clean Growth Strategy has had an impact on the IET regulations and although energy efficiency is only currently on an advised level we can take this as an opportunity to build our understanding of which wiring systems will work most efficiently in a range of circumstances. It is promising to know that in the near future it will become mandatory to take energy efficiency into consideration in an indirect way in terms of local production and storage of energy, as well as direct ways by being mindful of how to install energy efficient systems and products while reducing energy losses.

HM Government released The Clean Growth Strategy report in October 2017; an account of where investment will be made into research and implementation of low carbon technologies by identifying which sectors require the most attention.

What is the Clean Growth Strategy?

The strategy focuses on building a relationship between Government, business and society in order to strive for clean technologies that will cut future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Clean Growth Strategy’s approach is to satisfy domestic responsibility at the minimum net cost to UK taxpayers, businesses and consumers. It aims to deliver protection from high energy costs while maximising economic and social benefits during this transition.

Why did the Clean Growth Strategy emerge?

The Clean Growth Strategy derived shortly after the success of the Paris agreement in 2015, in which 195 countries pledged their commitment in working toward reduced GHG emissions and the long-term goal of restricting global temperature to below 2 degrees. The agreement urged countries to formulate a long-term plan with the aim of reducing GHG emissions by 2020. It sought to exemplify the values of the Paris agreement and position the UK as a leading climate change activist.

In common with the Paris agreement, progress is thoroughly reviewed every five years. This is particularly vital for ensuring that budgets are not being exceeded, and if this is the case there are flexibilities in place for up to 1% of later carbon budgets to be ‘borrowed’ from later budgets if it is evident that future budget requirements can still be executed effectively.

What does The Clean Growth Strategy strive to accomplish?

Each person on average was responsible for 14 tonnes of GHG emissions in 1990, however in order to meet net-zero targets, it is expected that this should reduce to 2 tonnes per person. The Government’s aim states that by 2032, 85% use of UK generation must be from low-carbon sources.

In addition, the Government intends for the UK economy to grow correspondingly with the reduction of GHGs. The low-carbon economy has the potential to grow 11% between 2015-2030, quadruple the speed of the rest of the economy. There is evidence to suggest that by 2030 the UK has the potential to earn between £60 billion and £170 billion through the exportation of low-carbon services and goods.

What have we achieved so far?

In 2016, the UK had the highest offshore wind installation capacity and costs have reduced significantly over recent years. Since 1990, GHG emissions have been cut by 42 % while our economy has grown by two thirds. Moreover, our first carbon budget (2008-2012) is one percent better than the indicator and there has been significant progress in the power sector, for example in 2016 renewable energy generated nearly a quarter of the UK’s electricity.

What progress has been made in the home sector?

The average household energy consumption has decreased by 17%. Greenhouse gas emissions in the home sector reached 80Mt in 1990 whereas in 2015 this was reduced by 20% to 64Mt. The 2017 Clean Growth Strategy report states that since 2010 energy efficient lamps have become 80% cheaper, encouraging more people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. In 2005, only 39% of homes had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of band D or above, which increased in 2015 to 79% of homes. Smart meters are beneficial for identifying our individual energy use and in 2017, it was recorded that 7.7 million of these were operating across the country in homes and small businesses.

What are the advantages of the Clean Growth Strategy?

There are many advantages to the Clean Growth Strategy for example:

• Decreased consumer bills
• Driving economic growth
• Improved air quality
• Improved quality of life

High value jobs are being created with the rise of low-carbon technologies, opening up many opportunities for employment (approximately 430,000) in low carbon businesses and their supply chains.

To put this into perspective, it is possible to save £380 per year on average, simply by upgrading your home from an EPC band E to band D.

Mental and physical health will be improved as there is a direct correlation between cold homes and ill health. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has estimated that it costs the NHS approximately £760 million per year to aid the consequences of cold, damp homes.

What can we expect for the future?

The UK is undertaking a challenge to have as many homes rated at EPC band C by 2035, initiated with an aim of 2.5 million ‘fuel poor’ homes by 2030. Furthermore, private tenants who are most vulnerable are of great concern and therefore landlords with the lowest performing buildings must improve their buildings to at least EPC band E in order to be able to let from April 2018.

Increased effort will be made by energy suppliers to ensure smart energy meters are offered to every home by the end of 2020. If we can pinpoint where the energy in our homes is being unnecessarily wasted then we can target these areas effectively and improve efficiency.

The Government insists that by 2030, off the grid homes should not have fossil fuel heating installed. We can expect an increase in the installation of heat pumps and use of biomethane in our homes, however, there is still an increasing need to develop low-carbon technologies. Consequently it is vital that investment is made to deliver:

• Higher education in STEM subjects in Institutes of Technology
• Development in technology requires reforms to technical education with the expectation for a new qualifications (T levels) to be constituted
• High quality work placements will also be available.

How will leaving the EU affect the Clean Growth Strategy?

The UK relies on the EU for the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) which involves targets and solutions for eradicating fluorinated gas and new car and van regulations. The EU is also influential regarding minimum standards for various products such as white goods and lighting, set by EU Product Policy and climate and non-energy EU policies and frameworks. Despite this, leaving the EU will not reform any of our sanctioned commitments to reduce our emissions. In fact, our targets exceed EU legislation in terms of ambition; the UK remains committed to the Paris Agreement and is enthusiastic to continue being an international leader to end climate change.

What is the Climate Change Committee’s impression of the Clean Growth Strategy?

In general, the climate change committee approves of the policies put in place by the Clean Growth Strategy, however many of these policies and proposals are in dire need of refining. What is a policy without a plan to implement it? There are currently policy gaps in the fourth and fifth carbon budgets. These gaps need to be urgently closed, especially concerning the lead time pressures for supply chains for future projects.

The CCC has forewarned the Government against planning 2050 targets without Carbon Capture Storage (CCS), and indicated that plans should be set out in 2018 to initiate a UK CCS industry during the 2020s. Net-zero targets are expected to be more expensive and challenging without CCS.

What improvements need to be made by the Government in order for the home/building sector to meet targets?

The Government is advised by the CCC to clarify the ambition and scale across housing stock, for example, a proposed number of homes as well as stating what is meant exactly by ‘affordable’, ‘cost-effective’ and ‘practical’ measures needed to achieve targets. Currently targets are too ambiguous.

Ambitions for 2032 private rented sector, social housing and fuel poor homes require a decisive framework in order for progress to be made.

There is a desperate need for a policy framework that will work alongside effective conformity and monitoring procedures in order to reduce the performance gap between how a building’s energy use is perceived to be able to perform against how it actually performs. Often systems that are installed to improve the energy efficiency of a home are not used how it is intended to be, therefore calculations concerning the expected overall energy use of the UK are filled with uncertainty.

Flexibility mechanisms – what are the risks?

Flexibility mechanisms refer to investment transferring from previously exceeded carbon budgets to following ones. The CCC is concerned that using flexibility mechanisms risks:

• Development of low-carbon industries risk failing
• Accumulating costs for future generations
• The UK’s position of leadership will be subverted

The CCC advises Government to ensure a prompt delivery and outperform goals, ensuring that we do not get delayed with the need to compensate for unresolved carbon targets. If flexibility mechanisms are used, it must not result in weakened aspiration.

Conclusion

The Clean Growth Strategy has an abundance of good intentions. However, what is lacking is a clear framework to put these good intentions into action. Sufficient progress has been made to meet and exceed past carbon budgets, although it is only going to get harder as we strive for net-zero, therefore it is essential that the UK population contributes and that low-carbon technologies are rapidly implemented. We must adapt quickly to rapid change and be prepared for future development.

For more information, take a look at the details within the Climate Change Committee’s Progress Report to Parliament, released annually in June.

You might think it distressing to find that ‘humanity is currently using nature 1.75 times faster than our planet’s ecosystems can regenerate, equivalent to 1.75 Earths.’ But this could increase to approximately 3 Earths if the population continues to grow and reach 9.6 billion by 2050.

On the 29th of July 2019, we reached overshoot day; ‘the day when humanity’s annual demand on nature exceeds what Earth’s ecosystem can regenerate in that year.’ Overshoots first began in 1970 and there has never been an overshoot day as early as 2019’s date. If we implement the UN sustainability goals into our lifestyles, then there is a chance that by 2050 humanity could reach one-planet compatibility by pushing Earth Overshoot Day back by 5 days every year.

What global events have influenced the sustainability goals?

The sustainability goals work towards taking action to gain prosperity and peace for both the planet and the people inhabiting it. In 2015, there were a variety of prominent events that influenced the goals, these include:

• Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (March)
• Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development (July)
• Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
  (UN Sustainable Development Summit – September – New York City)
• Paris Agreement on Climate Change (December)
• Annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (review of SDGs)

What are the UN sustainability goals?

1. No poverty

2. Zero hunger

3. Good health and well-being

4. Quality education

5. Gender equality

6. Clean water and sanitation

7. Affordable and clean energy

8. Decent work and economic growth

9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

10. Reduced inequalities

11. Sustainable cities and communities

12. Responsible consumption and production

13. Climate action

14. Life below water

15. Life on Land

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

17. Partnerships for the goals

What do the goals entail?

Here, at Survey and Test we are energy and environmentally orientated and therefore a number of the goals form part of our day to day consideration. For example, goal number 7: affordable and clean energy; is a goal we perpetually seek to achieve.

Targets that have been set in order to achieve affordable and clean energy include:

• By 2030 access to reliable, affordable and modern energy services should be ensured universally.
• The share of renewable energy should be globally increased and energy efficiency should be double the global rate it is now by 2030.
• International cooperation needs to be enhanced in order to allow access to clean energy technology and research, inclusive of renewable technology, cleaner fossil-fuel technology and energy efficiency.
• Encouragement to invest in clean energy technology and energy infrastructure in order for these elements to be upgraded and expanded to all developing countries.

Why must we implement SDGs?

The recent dismay of the UK exceeding its annual ecological budget is about to put the implementation of SDGs to the test. If we do not act fast then soil erosion, biodiversity loss, collapse of fisheries, deforestation and CO2 atmospheric build up will continue to increase.

Low-carbon technologies have become essential in reducing the total humanity’s global ecological footprint, since at this present moment 60% of this total is accounted for by burning fossil fuels.

What can you do to help?

Find out about existing projects contributing towards moving the overshoot day back, or even take lead and use this as a platform to advance your own solutions towards one-planet living on: https://movethedate.overshootday.org/

This website has an innovative way of connecting people geographically and unites interests and goals under the themes: cities, energy, food, planet and population.

There is a possibility that we can push the overshoot day back by 93 days if we are able to reduce our CO2 emissions by 50%.Our existing renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency for buildings, electrical production and industrial processes has the potential to move overshoot day back by a minimum of 21 days.

Reference: https://unfccc.int/news/fossil-fuels-are-biggest-part-of-global-ecological-footprint

The energy performance of our buildings is likely to become more crucial than ever before.

According to Chris Stark, the CEO of the Committee of Climate Change (CCC), it is expected that there are approximately 30 million buildings that must be fully decarbonised. In coherence with the requirements of the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit the global average temperature to below 2°C, the CCC has reported on the feasibility of setting an ambitious target for the UK to reach net-zero for greenhouse gases by 2050. The target has now been enshrined into UK law as part of the Climate Change Act 2008.

What is meant by Net- Zero?

It is important that we strive to effectively eliminate 100% of greenhouse gases (GHG), including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3).

In 2008, an 80% target was established, however this has increased with the importance of the project and evidence suggests it would cost very little more to increase the aim to 100%.

Evidence also states that long-lived emissions such as carbon must be completely eradicated, whereas short-lived emissions such as methane must be stabilized. Thus, the sum of both long-lived and short-lived emissions is expected to be reduced by 97%, relative to 1990 levels.

Why have UK targets been set so high?

The industrial revolution began in the UK and as a result, it is responsible for 2-3% of human induced global warming, despite making up only 1% of the population. Therefore, being one of the larger historical contributors to climate change, the UK’s ambition and responsibility seeks to mitigate its environmental impact. Moreover, the UK’s status as a climate leader would be enhanced and encourage other developed countries to pursue this with great initiative. 

Within the UK, adjustments have been made to targets in order to comply with the condition of particular countries. For instance, Scotland, seeks to reach net-zero by 2045, with incremental targets of 70% reduction by 2030 and 90% by 2040. Evidence supports that this is because Scotland has a higher relative capacity to remove emissions, since there is more land per person than in the rest of the UK. It is the best location for Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture Storage (BECCS) plants. 

By contrast, Wales would have difficulty reaching net-zero by 2050 because it is difficult to reduce the relatively high agricultural emissions. Therefore it has been recommended that 95% of GHGs are reduced by 2050, comparative to 1990. Carbon dioxide should be at net-zero whereas the remaining 5% emissions will be methane. 

What measures are needed to achieve this? 

In order to reduce CO2 emissions, it is essential that 20% of agricultural land must shift to alternative uses, for example natural carbon removals such as afforestation, biomass production and peatland restoration. Carbon Capture and Storage is a safe, cheap and sensible measure to undertake, imperative towards the objective to reach net-zero. Once carbon is captured it will be returned to the North sea; piped down back into the geology to remain untouched. The North Sea is easily accessible from Scotland where there are disused oil and gas fields that ironically, can be adapted for CCS. 

Other measures include the following: 

• Electric vehicles
• Energy efficient Buildings
• Diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill
• Increased afforestation and measures to reduce emissions of farms 
• Low-carbon Electricity (must quadruple supply by 2050)
• Low-carbon heating
• Phase out of fluorinated gases

Which changes will be needed for buildings?

The Government is yet to produce action plans to meet the challenge, but the task will be huge. Today, only 4.5% of our heating systems are low carbon, therefore targets have been set for this percentage to increase to 90% by 2050. Our first step towards this is for all heating system replacements for existing buildings to be low-carbon or ready for hydrogen by 2030.  

Most buildings will need to be retro fitted with energy efficiency measures, including improved insulation, reduced air leakage and low carbon building services. At this stage, it is assumed that all buildings will require a band ‘A’ energy performance certificate rating, a considerable increase from the Government’s current aspiration that buildings achieve band ‘C’ by 2030. 

Eliminating energy waste from the operation of buildings will be a considerable task. Energy efficiency is often described as the ‘third fuel’ and within commercial buildings, the most effective method of managing energy use is by using an ISO50001 energy management system. A key component of ISO50001 is continual improvement.

What are the consequences of not urgently controlling average global temperatures?

If we do not act with urgency against climate change we put ourselves at risk of enduring climate extremes, we put animals in danger of extinction and we advocate the irreversible destruction of the ecosystems that we rely upon. 

By maintaining the average global temperature below 2°C, the probability of an ice-free Arctic summer is reduced to 1 in 10, in comparison to 1 in 2 if the average temperature were to reach 3°C. Furthermore, if the average global temperature is kept between 1.5-2°C, it is expected that 420 million fewer people will suffer from extreme heat waves. 

What are the advantages of reaching net-zero? 

The ultimate aim is to terminate our contribution towards rising global temperatures. Our efforts to combat global warming will encourage improved health benefits, cleaner air, a healthier lifestyle with reference to diet and travel. 

Clean growth will offer new economic opportunities and our ability to progress in allegiance with the Paris agreement will give the UK more credibility. With the exception of France, the UK is the only country to currently plan to reach net zero without use of international credits and covering international aviation and shipping. There is also an opportunity for electricity bills to become cheaper as we constitute superior use of renewable resources – currently only 50% of power is generated by low-carbon sources. 

The risk of flooding would also be lowered, which in turn would reduce the cost of adaption and there would be a reduced risk of the cost of food rising due to limited resources.

Can I contribute positively?

By making beneficial choices for the environment we tend to develop a healthier lifestyle; such as by choosing to walk, cycle or use public transport instead of driving. We can also choose to eat a healthier diet, eliminate waste, use peat free compost. We can choose to buy long-lasting products to reduce waste. Reduce, re-use, recycle wherever possible and choose to share items we do not use on a regular basis, for example power tools, lawnmowers.

Make the decision to update to an electric car, and help sustain the aim for electric cars to be cheaper than conventional cars in 2030. It is expected that the annual UK transport costs could be reduced by £5 billion due to the considerable savings in running costs. This is dependent on whether targets for all new cars and vans to be electric or use a low-carbon, hydrogen substitute, are met by 2035. Transport tax contribution will go towards charging points for this innovative scheme. 

Is it possible?

Current progress states that between 1990 and 2018 greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by 40% with positive effects on the economy, as GDP increased by over 70%. 

Chris Stark states that although reaching Net-Zero by 2050 will be highly challenging it is also an affordable and pragmatic solution. The UK has the potential to positively impact the issue of climate change. If we each contribute effectively, especially regarding our homes, our progress as a nation could be astounding.

What’s next?

The next step is for Government to create firm action plans regarding each of the following sectors: 

• Agriculture
• Aviation and Shipping
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
• Housing and domestic heat
• Industrial emissions
• Road transport

When plans are confirmed, the UK has the potential to exemplify the capability of becoming experts in developing and operating new carbon removal technologies, be pioneers of the new industries and technologies that net zero will call for, and increase our integrity as climate leaders. 

Reference: Committee on Climate Change (2019) Net Zero: The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming, London: .Gov

The table below shows current UK regulation and legislation. Whilst the list is not exhaustive, collectively it shows the UKs plan to reduce carbon emissions from buildings, from which around 40% of the UK carbon emissions are thought to originate from.

Many of those involved with managing property have been aware of the approaching minimum energy standards for buildings. Now the regulation is here.

‘The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015’ was required by the Energy act 2011 and will bring about minimum energy standards for the first time. Organisations that have an  ISO14001 or ISO50001 management system will be adding this regulation to their legal register and it presents both risks and opportunities.

What does it mean for you?

• From 1st April 2016, tenants can apply for consent to carry out energy efficiency improvements in privately rented properties
• From 1st April 2018, buildings with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G can no longer be legally marketed for rent or lease
• On the 1 April 2023, this will be extended and all existing commercial leases will need an EPC rating of E or better – it’s thought that this will affect around 20% of all commercial leases.
• Non-compliance will be linked to the rateable value of the building subject to a maximum fine of £150,000.
• Tenants of poorly rating properties will have the right to ask the landlord to improve the rating with a ‘relevant energy efficiency improvement’. This can be a measure that improves the EPC rating and achieves “a simple payback of seven years or less”

How can you achieve an E rating?

First of all, it is important to understand that huge numbers of existing EPC ratings are wrong. Low fee and low quality assessments formed the bulk of the EPCs produced for some years. Fees have often been below the market rate creating a pressure felt by some assessors to use poor, default values rather than to spend time and resources on accurate calculations.

This was confirmed within a Department of Energy and Climate change (DECC) mystery shopping exercise which showed quite the scale of inaccuracy.

This was confirmed within a Department of Energy and Climate change (DECC) mystery shopping exercise which showed quite the scale of inaccuracy.

We can help.

In quite a number of cases, spending time creating a detailed and accurate energy model has reduced the use of default values enough to achieve an ‘E’ rating without the need for any improvement works.

For some time now, we’ve been reviewing and re-calculating old EPCs in order to establish an accurate baseline.  By accurately calculating the baseline EPC, we can in many cases minimise the work that needs to be done to a property in order to reach an ‘E’ rating.

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This is required by The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014 which implements some of the requirements in the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).

The Government estimate that there are thousands of heat networks in the UK and these supply hundreds of thousands of dwellings, commercial premises, and public buildings. Many of these heat networks are considered to be District Heat Networks.

A system is considered to be a District Heat Network when thermal energy in the form of steam, hot water or chilled liquids are supplied centrally, through a network, and received by final customers. This would usually be the supply to a number of sites or to a minimum of two buildings for heating, cooling and hot water.

Further requirements come into force later next year on the 31st December 2016, when minimum provisions for metering and billing will be needed.

Meters will need to be provided to measure heat used by each final user and heat suppliers will need to accurately bill final users for the heat they have consumed at least once a year.