Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES OCTOBER 2022 17 Peter Sayce , Product and Commercial Development Officer at Bramble Energy, says the industry must go further to make sure that any new infrastructure is built in the most efficient way possible, and existing stock is improved and repurposed where possible. 2 5% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions (buildings and infrastructure) can be attributed to the UK built environment, and that rises to 42% if surface transport is included within the sector. We have seen a decrease in carbon emissions from the sector over the last two decades, with the way in which we construct buildings improving and the ‘green’ mindset becoming a major consideration when firms approach projects. However, the industry must go further to make sure that any new infrastructure is built in the most efficient way possible, and existing stock is improved and repurposed where possible. As the goal of net zero by 2050 approaches, the built industry has a long way to go in order to achieve complete carbon efficient buildings. With so many processes that emit carbon to consider like powering sites, materials production, the embodied carbon of a build, along with the demand for infrastructure and building stock only set to grow as our population does, just how can the build sector implement long-lasting change now? The net zero of our future We are already seeing great examples of how net zero can be a possibility for the construction of new spaces, but how close are we to achieving more carbon efficient buildings? The truth is we need to see more. In London, Landsec has constructed and will operate The Forge, the UK’s first net zero carbon commercial development, in line with the UK Green Building Council’s framework. The building uses no energy from fossil fuels, and has focused on the use of recycled materials, with 18% less primary steelwork and 13% less concrete. In addition, 100% of the building’s waste is diverted from landfill. This shows the sheer number of processes involved, and also the wide range of thinking that must go into ensuring buildings are net zero by design. ➜ Net zero and the built environment: The journey to carbon efficiency FEATURE NET ZERO