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The NRC is connecting with refurb projects, such as the BRE's Victorian Terrace
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The IGT’s report is a hugely significant analysis of the steps required to deliver a low-carbon future in the UK and is expected to play a key role in setting the country’s green agenda between now and 2050, when the government must meet its legal obligation to reduce carbon emissions by 80%.
The benefits of a wider green economy are clearly recognised by the IGT as an important area of sustainable growth. The construction industry has a critical role to play in this and must seize the opportunity to deliver the solutions needed to ensure a more sustainable built environment.
The report highlights the challenges which must be overcome to make this vision a reality. These include better collaboration throughout the supply chain and between industry and government, ensuring that construction professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to deliver more sustainable solutions and educating consumers about the opportunities to improve carbon performance in their own homes to stimulate market demand. Importantly, it also highlights innovation as a key success factor, promoting new ways of working and the acquisition of knowledge and skills as a vital tool to reinforce the UK’s reputation as a world leader in sustainable design.
Beyond carbon
As well as calling for a focus on carbon accounting in buildings, the report now explicitly states that additional aspects of sustainability need to be taken into account in order to achieve optimum performance, which is a positive development. Improving the efficiency of existing buildings represents one of the biggest challenges and opportunities. The recommendation that all non-domestic buildings have an EPC-rating of F or above by 2020 is a step in the right direction and initiatives such as the National Refurbishment Centre (NRC) will play a vital role in addressing the challenge of reducing carbon emissions through sustainable refurbishment.
In order to take advantage of the sustainable solutions which are available now and into the future, to ensure that the UK reduces carbon emissions at the rate required to meet 2050 targets, the right policy framework needs to be in place to generate the necessary ‘clarity, co-operation and confidence’ (to use the words of the IGT report). Financial incentives, backed up by adequate regulations and enforcement when necessary must be implemented. We are encouraged by the government’s positive reaction so far to the report.
To download the IGT's report, click here.
For further information about the National Refurbishment Centre, of which Saint-Gobain is a partner, please visit www.rethinkingrefurbishment.com .
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