Allowable solutions for zero carbon buildings - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 11:16, 28 February 2023

2023-02-28T11:16:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:16, 28 February 2023
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	However, CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies said it was not a ‘huge surprise’, and the move was welcomed by the Home Builders Federation who suggested that zero-carbon standards would have cost purchasers in the order of £2,500 per home.		However, CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies said it was not a ‘huge surprise’, and the move was welcomed by the Home Builders Federation who suggested that zero-carbon standards would have cost purchasers in the order of £2,500 per home.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Carbon ratings for buildings.		* Carbon ratings for buildings.
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	* Zero carbon homes.		* Zero carbon homes.
	* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.		* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
−
−	~~= External references =~~
−
−	* Zero carbon hub, [http://www.zerocarbonhub.org/zero-carbon-policy/allowable-solutions Allowable solutions].
−	* CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]

	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Regulation]] [[Category:Sustainability]]		[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Regulation]] [[Category:Sustainability]]

Designing Buildings at 06:15, 19 October 2020

2020-10-19T06:15:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:15, 19 October 2020
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	* CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]		* CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]

−	[[Category:Sustainability]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Regulation]] [[Category:Sustainability]]

Designing Buildings at 16:05, 25 February 2019

2019-02-25T16:05:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:05, 25 February 2019
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	However, CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies said it was not a ‘huge surprise’, and the move was welcomed by the Home Builders Federation who suggested that zero-carbon standards would have cost purchasers in the order of £2,500 per home.		However, CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies said it was not a ‘huge surprise’, and the move was welcomed by the Home Builders Federation who suggested that zero-carbon standards would have cost purchasers in the order of £2,500 per home.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

		+	* Carbon ratings for buildings.
	* Climate Change Act.		* Climate Change Act.
	* Code for sustainable homes.		* Code for sustainable homes.
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	* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.		* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

−	=== External references ===	+	= External references =

	* Zero carbon hub, [http://www.zerocarbonhub.org/zero-carbon-policy/allowable-solutions Allowable solutions].		* Zero carbon hub, [http://www.zerocarbonhub.org/zero-carbon-policy/allowable-solutions Allowable solutions].

Editor at 14:48, 29 March 2016

2016-03-29T14:48:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:48, 29 March 2016
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	* Ecobuild 2016 - Making the business case for large scale retrofit investment.		* Ecobuild 2016 - Making the business case for large scale retrofit investment.
	* Renewable energy.		* Renewable energy.
		+	* Retrofit.
	* Sustainability.		* Sustainability.
	* Wind turbine.		* Wind turbine.

Editor at 09:47, 10 March 2016

2016-03-10T09:47:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:47, 10 March 2016
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	* Community energy network.		* Community energy network.
	* Domestic micro-generation.		* Domestic micro-generation.
		+	* Ecobuild 2016 - Making the business case for large scale retrofit investment.
	* Renewable energy.		* Renewable energy.
	* Sustainability.		* Sustainability.

Editor at 14:30, 7 March 2016

2016-03-07T14:30:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:30, 7 March 2016
Line 46:		Line 46:
	* Sustainability.		* Sustainability.
	* Wind turbine.		* Wind turbine.
		+	* Zero Bills Home.
	* Zero carbon homes.		* Zero carbon homes.
	* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.		* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

Editor at 15:35, 17 February 2016

2016-02-17T15:35:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:35, 17 February 2016
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−
	In the 2011 budget, the government confirmed that from 2016 all new homes would be required to be ‘zero carbon’.		In the 2011 budget, the government confirmed that from 2016 all new homes would be required to be ‘zero carbon’.

	In England, the definition of a zero carbon home was one where CO2 emissions from regulated energy use (space heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation) were limited and mitigated by a combination of three measures:		In England, the definition of a zero carbon home was one where CO2 emissions from regulated energy use (space heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation) were limited and mitigated by a combination of three measures:
−	*Achieving minimum Fabric Energy Efficiency Standards (FEES) based on space heating and cooling.	+
−	*Using low and zero carbon technologies and connected heat networks to limit on-site built emissions.	+	* Achieving minimum Fabric Energy Efficiency Standards (FEES) based on space heating and cooling.
−	*Where it is not possible to reduce the regulated CO2 emissions to zero using these on-site measures, the remaining carbon emissions can be mitigated through off-site allowable solutions.	+	* Using low and zero carbon technologies and connected heat networks to limit on-site built emissions.
		+	* Where it is not possible to reduce the regulated CO2 emissions to zero using these on-site measures, the remaining carbon emissions can be mitigated through off-site allowable solutions.

	Unregulated energy (such as appliances and cooking) was not considered within this definition. So in effect, developers would be required to avoid or mitigate all regulated emissions using a combination of on-site energy efficiency measures (such as insulation and low energy heating systems), on-site zero-carbon technologies (such as solar panels) and then using off-site allowable solutions to deal with any remaining emissions.		Unregulated energy (such as appliances and cooking) was not considered within this definition. So in effect, developers would be required to avoid or mitigate all regulated emissions using a combination of on-site energy efficiency measures (such as insulation and low energy heating systems), on-site zero-carbon technologies (such as solar panels) and then using off-site allowable solutions to deal with any remaining emissions.

	What constituted off-site ‘allowable solutions’ was expected to include (See CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]):		What constituted off-site ‘allowable solutions’ was expected to include (See CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]):
−	*The developer improving existing buildings or producing renewable energy off site.	+
−	*Making payments to an ‘allowable solutions provider' who could be a local authority provider or a private provider.	+	* The developer improving existing buildings or producing renewable energy off site.
−	*A national carbon abatement fund which invests in CO2 abatement projects, with payments into the fund by means of an agreed fee per kg CO2 to offset emissions.	+	* Making payments to an ‘allowable solutions provider' who could be a local authority provider or a private provider.
		+	* A national carbon abatement fund which invests in CO2 abatement projects, with payments into the fund by means of an agreed fee per kg CO2 to offset emissions.

	There was also a question about whether allowable solutions should be taken form a ‘prescribed’ list, or whether any solution should be allowable if it satisfied certain criteria, and whether off-site solutions should be local to the development site.		There was also a question about whether allowable solutions should be taken form a ‘prescribed’ list, or whether any solution should be allowable if it satisfied certain criteria, and whether off-site solutions should be local to the development site.
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	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===		=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===
−	*Climate Change Act.	+
−	*Code for sustainable homes.	+	* Climate Change Act.
−	*Domestic micro-generation.	+	* Code for sustainable homes.
−	*Renewable energy.	+	* Community energy network.
−	*Sustainability.	+	* Domestic micro-generation.
−	*Wind turbine.	+	* Renewable energy.
−	*Zero carbon homes.	+	* Sustainability.
−	*Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.	+	* Wind turbine.
		+	* Zero carbon homes.
		+	* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

	=== External references ===		=== External references ===
−	*Zero carbon hub, [http://www.zerocarbonhub.org/zero-carbon-policy/allowable-solutions Allowable solutions].	+
−	*CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]	+	* Zero carbon hub, [http://www.zerocarbonhub.org/zero-carbon-policy/allowable-solutions Allowable solutions].
		+	* CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]

	[[Category:Sustainability]]		[[Category:Sustainability]]

Designing Buildings at 09:16, 31 October 2015

2015-10-31T09:16:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:16, 31 October 2015
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	*Renewable energy.		*Renewable energy.
	*Sustainability.		*Sustainability.
		+	*Wind turbine.
	*Zero carbon homes.		*Zero carbon homes.
	*Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.		*Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

Designing Buildings at 09:10, 13 July 2015

2015-07-13T09:10:33Z

Designing Buildings at 09:06, 13 July 2015

2015-07-13T09:06:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:06, 13 July 2015
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	In the 2011 budget, the government confirmed that from 2016 all new homes would be required to be ‘zero carbon’.		In the 2011 budget, the government confirmed that from 2016 all new homes would be required to be ‘zero carbon’.

−	In England, the ~~current~~ definition of a zero carbon home is one where CO2 emissions from regulated energy use (space heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation) ~~are~~ limited and mitigated by a combination of three measures:	+	In England, the definition of a zero carbon home was one where CO2 emissions from regulated energy use (space heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation) were limited and mitigated by a combination of three measures:
	*Achieving minimum Fabric Energy Efficiency Standards (FEES) based on space heating and cooling.		*Achieving minimum Fabric Energy Efficiency Standards (FEES) based on space heating and cooling.
	*Using low and zero carbon technologies and connected heat networks to limit on-site built emissions.		*Using low and zero carbon technologies and connected heat networks to limit on-site built emissions.
Line 9:		Line 9:
	NB Unregulated energy (such as appliances and cooking) is not considered within this definition.		NB Unregulated energy (such as appliances and cooking) is not considered within this definition.

−	So in effect, developers ~~will~~ be required to avoid or mitigate all regulated emissions using a combination of on-site energy efficiency measures (such as insulation and low energy heating systems), on-site zero-carbon technologies (such as solar panels) and can then use off-site allowable solutions to deal with any remaining emissions.	+	So in effect, developers would be required to avoid or mitigate all regulated emissions using a combination of on-site energy efficiency measures (such as insulation and low energy heating systems), on-site zero-carbon technologies (such as solar panels) and can then use off-site allowable solutions to deal with any remaining emissions.

−	What constitutes off-site ‘allowable solutions’ ~~has yet~~ to ~~be finalised~~ (See CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]) ~~but it might include~~:	+	What constitutes off-site ‘allowable solutions’ was expected to include (See CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]):
	*The developer improving existing buildings or producing renewable energy off site.		*The developer improving existing buildings or producing renewable energy off site.
	*Making payments to an ‘allowable solutions provider' who could be a local authority provider or a private provider.		*Making payments to an ‘allowable solutions provider' who could be a local authority provider or a private provider.
	*A national carbon abatement fund which invests in CO2 abatement projects, with payments into the fund by means of an agreed fee per kg CO2 to offset emissions.		*A national carbon abatement fund which invests in CO2 abatement projects, with payments into the fund by means of an agreed fee per kg CO2 to offset emissions.

−	There is also a question about whether allowable solutions should be taken form a ‘prescribed’ list, or whether any solution should be allowable if it ~~satisfies~~ certain criteria, and whether off-site solutions should be local to the development site.	+	There was also a question about whether allowable solutions should be taken form a ‘prescribed’ list, or whether any solution should be allowable if it satisfied certain criteria, and whether off-site solutions should be local to the development site.

−	The occupier might not be directly affected by a developer adopting allowable solutions, but they could find that, with the inclusion of allowable solutions charges, their energy bills ~~are~~ higher than they might have expected from a zero-carbon home.	+	The occupier might not be directly affected by a developer adopting allowable solutions, but they could find that, with the inclusion of allowable solutions charges, their energy bills were higher than they might have expected from a zero-carbon home.

−	There ~~has been~~ some criticism of this approach, as to a certain extent it ~~separates~~ design from 'zero carbon' and developers ~~may decide~~ it is easier to adopt allowable solutions rather than meet the carbon compliance standards.	+	There was some criticism of this approach, as to a certain extent it separated design from 'zero carbon' and developers could find it easier to adopt allowable solutions rather than meet the carbon compliance standards.

−	On 8 July 2014, the government published [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions its response to the summary of responses] to its consultation on allowable solutions. This ~~confirms~~ the four approaches to allowable solutions for house builders; abatement on site, their own abatement off site, third party off-site abatement, or to payment into a price-capped fund. It also ~~confirms~~ that a national design framework ~~will~~ be established for the scheme.	+	On 8 July 2014, the government published [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions its response to the summary of responses] to its consultation on allowable solutions. This confirmed the four approaches to allowable solutions for house builders; abatement on site, their own abatement off site, third party off-site abatement, or to payment into a price-capped fund. It also confirmed that a national design framework would be established for the scheme.

−	----	+	In December 2010, the government also confirmed the commitment that all new non-domestic buildings should be zero carbon from 2019. This meant the timeframe for zero carbon non-domestic buildings was three years behind that for zero-carbon homes. Consequently, progress towards defining a zero-carbon standard for non-domestic buildings was similarly behind, and due to the wide range of possible circumstances and possible solutions, this definition was likely to be more complicated than for domestic buildings.

−	~~In December 2010~~, the government ~~also confirmed~~ the commitment that all new non-domestic buildings should be zero carbon from 2019. This means the timeframe for zero carbon non-domestic buildings is three years behind that for zero-carbon homes. Consequently, progress towards defining a ~~zero-carbon standard for non-domestic buildings is similarly behind, with~~ a ~~series of consultations ongoing. Due to the wide range of possible circumstances and possible solutions, this definition is likely to be more complicated than~~ for ~~domestic buildings~~.	+	However, On 10 July 2015, the government published ‘Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation’ a government plan for increasing Britain’s productivity.

−	~~At present~~, ~~it is considered that~~ the ~~overall approach should adopt a similar 'fabric first~~' ~~hierarchy of measures~~ to ~~those~~ proposed ~~for domestic buildings~~, but ~~there is uncertainty about which allowable solutions~~ should be ~~permitted~~, and ~~how they should~~ be ~~provided~~.	+	Amongst a great number of wide-ranging changes, the report states, 'The government does not intend to proceed with the zero carbon Allowable Solutions carbon offsetting scheme, or the proposed 2016 increase in on-site energy efficiency standards, but will keep energy efficiency standards under review, recognising that existing measures to increase energy efficiency of new buildings should be allowed time to become established.'
		+
		+	This announcement was made with no consultation and came as a surprise to much of the industry.
		+
		+	Paul King, managing director of LendLease Europe, said, “Industry needs as much policy clarity and consistency as possible in order to invest and innovate, and after almost 10 years of commitment and progress, UK house builders and developers have come a very long way,” he said. “It is therefore extremely disappointing that the government has today removed a world-leading ambition for all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016.”
		+
		+	However, CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies said it was not a ‘huge surprise’, and the move was welcomed by the Home Builders Federation who suggested that zero-carbon standards would have cost purchasers in the order of £2,500 per home.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:10, 13 July 2015
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	*Where it is not possible to reduce the regulated CO2 emissions to zero using these on-site measures, the remaining carbon emissions can be mitigated through off-site allowable solutions.		*Where it is not possible to reduce the regulated CO2 emissions to zero using these on-site measures, the remaining carbon emissions can be mitigated through off-site allowable solutions.

−	NB Unregulated energy (such as appliances and cooking) is not considered within this definition.	+	Unregulated energy (such as appliances and cooking) was not considered within this definition. So in effect, developers would be required to avoid or mitigate all regulated emissions using a combination of on-site energy efficiency measures (such as insulation and low energy heating systems), on-site zero-carbon technologies (such as solar panels) and then using off-site allowable solutions to deal with any remaining emissions.

−	So in effect, developers would be required to avoid or mitigate all regulated emissions using a combination of on-site energy efficiency measures (such as insulation and low energy heating systems), on-site zero-carbon technologies (such as solar panels) and can then use off-site allowable solutions to deal with any remaining emissions.	+	What constituted off-site ‘allowable solutions’ was expected to include (See CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]):
−		+
−	What ~~constitutes~~ off-site ‘allowable solutions’ was expected to include (See CLG: [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions Open consultation: Next steps to zero carbon homes: allowable solutions]):	+
	*The developer improving existing buildings or producing renewable energy off site.		*The developer improving existing buildings or producing renewable energy off site.
	*Making payments to an ‘allowable solutions provider' who could be a local authority provider or a private provider.		*Making payments to an ‘allowable solutions provider' who could be a local authority provider or a private provider.
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	There was some criticism of this approach, as to a certain extent it separated design from 'zero carbon' and developers could find it easier to adopt allowable solutions rather than meet the carbon compliance standards.		There was some criticism of this approach, as to a certain extent it separated design from 'zero carbon' and developers could find it easier to adopt allowable solutions rather than meet the carbon compliance standards.

−	On 8 July 2014, the government published [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions its response to the summary of responses] to its consultation on allowable solutions. This confirmed the four approaches to allowable solutions for house builders; abatement on site, their own abatement off site, third party off-site abatement, or to payment into a price-capped fund. It also confirmed that a national design framework would be established for the scheme.	+	On 8 July 2014, the government published [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions its response to the summary of responses] to its consultation on allowable solutions. This confirmed the four approaches to allowable solutions for house builders; abatement on site, their own abatement off site, third party off-site abatement, or payment into a price-capped fund. It also confirmed that a national design framework would be established for the scheme.

	In December 2010, the government also confirmed the commitment that all new non-domestic buildings should be zero carbon from 2019. This meant the timeframe for zero carbon non-domestic buildings was three years behind that for zero-carbon homes. Consequently, progress towards defining a zero-carbon standard for non-domestic buildings was similarly behind, and due to the wide range of possible circumstances and possible solutions, this definition was likely to be more complicated than for domestic buildings.		In December 2010, the government also confirmed the commitment that all new non-domestic buildings should be zero carbon from 2019. This meant the timeframe for zero carbon non-domestic buildings was three years behind that for zero-carbon homes. Consequently, progress towards defining a zero-carbon standard for non-domestic buildings was similarly behind, and due to the wide range of possible circumstances and possible solutions, this definition was likely to be more complicated than for domestic buildings.

−	However, On 10 July 2015, the government published ‘Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation’ a government plan for increasing Britain’s productivity.	+	However, on 10 July 2015, the government published ‘Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation’ a government plan for increasing Britain’s productivity.

	Amongst a great number of wide-ranging changes, the report states, 'The government does not intend to proceed with the zero carbon Allowable Solutions carbon offsetting scheme, or the proposed 2016 increase in on-site energy efficiency standards, but will keep energy efficiency standards under review, recognising that existing measures to increase energy efficiency of new buildings should be allowed time to become established.'		Amongst a great number of wide-ranging changes, the report states, 'The government does not intend to proceed with the zero carbon Allowable Solutions carbon offsetting scheme, or the proposed 2016 increase in on-site energy efficiency standards, but will keep energy efficiency standards under review, recognising that existing measures to increase energy efficiency of new buildings should be allowed time to become established.'
Line 32:		Line 30:
	This announcement was made with no consultation and came as a surprise to much of the industry.		This announcement was made with no consultation and came as a surprise to much of the industry.

−	Paul King, managing director of LendLease Europe, said, ~~“Industry needs as much policy clarity and consistency as possible in order to invest and innovate, and~~ after almost 10 years of commitment and progress, UK house builders and developers have come a very long way~~,” he said~~. ~~“It~~ is therefore extremely disappointing that the government has today removed a world-leading ambition for all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016.”	+	Paul King, managing director of LendLease Europe, said, “...after almost 10 years of commitment and progress, UK house builders and developers have come a very long way. It is therefore extremely disappointing that the government has today removed a world-leading ambition for all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016.”

	However, CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies said it was not a ‘huge surprise’, and the move was welcomed by the Home Builders Federation who suggested that zero-carbon standards would have cost purchasers in the order of £2,500 per home.		However, CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies said it was not a ‘huge surprise’, and the move was welcomed by the Home Builders Federation who suggested that zero-carbon standards would have cost purchasers in the order of £2,500 per home.