A welcome report from the EAC, including this recommendation: “We recommend that the Government introduce, not later than December 2023, regulations to mandate whole-life carbon assessments for buildings above a gross internal area of 1000m2, or which create more than 10 dwellings. This requirement should be established in Building Regulations, and ought to be reflected in the planning system through national planning policy. Local authorities should be encouraged and supported to include this requirement within their Local Plans ahead of the introduction of national planning requirements.”

From the EAC

The UK built environment is responsible for approximately 25% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. The UK has a legally binding target to reach net zero by 2050 and at COP26 the Government committed to achieving 68% reductions in carbon emissions by 2030. This is only eight years away. There is little government guidance as to how these targets are to be met by the built environment industry.

This report examines how to improve sustainability of the built environment in the UK. Five broad themes are addressed: 1) accounting methods for embodied and wholelife carbon; 2) the use of low-carbon building materials; 3) government procurement of buildings; 4) issues surrounding retrofit and reuse; and 5) the skills and training required to delivered sustainable construction.

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