As Cop27 continues and countries debate global climate goals, the Active Building Centre (ABC) is calling for the built environment to step up and play its part.
According to the organisation, buildings in the UK account for around a quarter of total carbon emissions and if the country is to reach net zero by 2050, then urgent action is required.
ABC is calling for:
*Greater uptake of both on-site and off-site renewable energy generation linking to homes and across communities
*Stronger commitments to energy efficiency – especially retrofit
*Major investment in skills for the green, renewable, multi-discipline jobs of the future
*More support to build capacity in UK supply chains for renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings
*Better concept design that includes energy, nature and water considerations for new build
*A greater focus on monitoring and measuring outcomes for comfort, carbon and cost – over the lifetime of buildings
*A change in the approach of the construction sector across many disciplines to focus on better outcomes and better performance of buildings
Dan Cook, the ABC’s chief executive, says: “If we want to achieve net zero, and indeed achieve climate positive outcomes we need to be bolder.
“We at ABC, believe that people are central to achieving this, with comfort, carbon and cost (our 3Cs) as the critical attributes to measure to get this agenda right across the built environment sector going forward.”
ABC was set up as an independent research organisation to help the built environment sector accelerate its journey to net zero.
It has worked on more than 100 projects with the aim to help transform the built environment and to accelerate decarbonisation. It works with housing associations, government agencies, architects and construction firms, supporting them on their decarbonisation journeys
