Low carbon in the construction industry - Revision history

Editor at 11:09, 19 October 2021

2021-10-19T11:09:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:09, 19 October 2021
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	For more information see: Sustainability.		For more information see: Sustainability.

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

	* BREEAM.		* BREEAM.
Line 33:		Line 33:
	* Climate change Act.		* Climate change Act.
	* Code for sustainable homes.		* Code for sustainable homes.
		+	* ECA backs Government plans for low-carbon heat.
	* Energy Act.		* Energy Act.
	* Energy Performance Certificates.		* Energy Performance Certificates.

Designing Buildings: moved Low carbon to Low carbon in the construction industry

2021-02-12T07:58:00Z

moved Low carbon to Low carbon in the construction industry

← Older revision

Revision as of 07:58, 12 February 2021

Designing Buildings at 07:57, 12 February 2021

2021-02-12T07:57:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:57, 12 February 2021
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	* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.		* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

−	[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components~~]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge~~]] [[Category:Property_development]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Property_development]]

Editor at 14:37, 27 July 2020

2020-07-27T14:37:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:37, 27 July 2020
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	* Government Construction Strategy.		* Government Construction Strategy.
	* Home Quality Mark.		* Home Quality Mark.
		+	* How much carbon are your buildings responsible for?
	* Mean lean green.		* Mean lean green.
	* Routes to low carbon energy.		* Routes to low carbon energy.
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	* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.		* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

−	[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Property_development]]	+	[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Property_development]]

Designing Buildings at 11:39, 3 January 2020

2020-01-03T11:39:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 3 January 2020
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−	Low carbon is ~~the~~ term ~~typically~~ applied to an economy, industry or activity to describe the amount of carbon dioxide generated ~~at any point in~~ time. Carbon dioxide when generated e.g from vehicle exhausts, jet engines, manufacturing, construction etc, accumulates in the upper atmosphere (biosphere) and is widely thought to contribute to global warming and consequently climate change.	+	Low carbon is a term applied to an economy, industry, product or activity to describe the relatively low amount of carbon dioxide generated by it over a specific time.

−	~~Because they accumulate~~ in the ~~upper~~ atmosphere ~~and can trap incoming solar energy,~~ the greenhouse effect ~~is instigated~~ and ~~the earth warms up~~. It is for this reason that achieving a low-carbon economy has become ~~a target~~ for many countries ~~in their battle to halt global warming~~.	+	Carbon dioxide from vehicle exhausts, manufacturing, construction, heating and cooling etc, accumulates in the atmosphere contributing to the greenhouse effect and consequently climate change. It is for this reason that achieving a low-carbon economy has become an objective for many countries, regions, businesses and individuals.

−	Being low-carbon (or decarbonised) essentially requires reducing the direct use of fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil – ~~such as lighting fires~~ and ~~driving a vehicle. But~~ also, activities which rely indirectly on fossil fuels, such as cooking and washing, which usually require gas or electricity generated at power stations using fossil fuels (e.g coal and oil). A low fossil-fuel economy (LFFE) is also therefore a low-carbon economy.	+	Being low-carbon (or decarbonised) essentially requires reducing the direct use of fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil – and also, activities which rely indirectly on fossil fuels, such as cooking and washing, which usually require gas or electricity generated at power stations using fossil fuels (e.g coal and oil). A low fossil-fuel economy (LFFE) is also therefore a low-carbon economy.

−	Activities or buildings which emit relatively low carbon ~~emissions~~ are said to have a low carbon footprint. ~~As a policy of sustainability, a low carbon footprint~~ may be achieved by designs which focus on renewable energy technology, such as passive solar space/water heating, photovoltaics, triple glazing, high levels of insulation, energy-efficient condensing boilers, building design and orientation ~~etc~~. Their inclusion can help reduce a building’s operating costs – lower heating and cooling bills, reducing emissions and therefore lowering the carbon footprint.	+	Activities or buildings which emit relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide are said to have a low carbon footprint. This may be achieved by designs which focus on renewable energy technology, such as passive solar space/water heating, photovoltaics, triple glazing, high levels of insulation, energy-efficient condensing boilers, building design and orientation and so on. Their inclusion can help reduce a building’s operating costs – lower heating and cooling bills, reducing emissions and therefore lowering the carbon footprint.

−	Achieving this can also be aided by the materials used in constructing a building: clay bricks tend to have a high embodied energy content. Large amounts of energy are required to make them e.g firing, which requires very high temperatures and is therefore energy intensive. This is why such materials are said to have a high embodied energy content. On the other hand, it can be argued that materials such as clay brick can offset their embodied energy content because they have been proven to last for centuries with minimal maintenance. Such considerations should be weighed-up when specifying materials of construction.	+	Achieving this can also be aided by the materials used in constructing a building. For example, clay bricks tend to have a high embodied energy content. Large amounts of energy are required to make them e.g firing, which requires very high temperatures and is therefore energy intensive. This is why such materials are said to have a high embodied energy content. On the other hand, it can be argued that materials such as clay brick can offset their embodied energy content because they have been proven to last for centuries with minimal maintenance. Such whole-life considerations should be weighed-up when specifying materials of construction.

−	~~= A sector~~-~~wide approach =~~	+	Building construction is considered to generate relatively high carbon emissions. Transitioning from a high- to a low-carbon construction sector can be difficult but may be achieved by strategies such as:

−	~~Building construction, if unregulated, is deemed to generate relatively high carbon emissions~~. ~~Recent efforts in many developed countries have sought to promote~~ low-~~carbon buildings~~ and ~~to decarbonise construction~~.	+	* Promoting good practice.
		+	* Ensuring good quality workmanship on site.
		+	* Reducing waste.
		+	* Using low-embodied energy, local products and materials.
		+	* Using recycled and recyclable products and materials.
		+	* Designing for deconstruction.
		+	* On-site energy generation and storage.
		+	* Reducing the use of vehicles.
		+	* High levels of insulation.
		+	* Low infiltration rates.
		+	* Low water and power-consuming appliances.
		+	* Carbon capture and storage.
		+	* Passive design techniques.

−	~~Transitioning from a high- to a low-carbon construction sector can be difficult and should be implemented gradually. It may be achieved by~~:	+	For more information see: Sustainability.
−		+
−	* Promoting good practice and low-carbon developments, including a range of sustainable technologies.	+
−	* Promoting and developing low-carbon construction models and associated good practice.	+
−	* Initiating and supporting the adoption of low carbon, affordable buildings.	+

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

		+	* BREEAM.
	* Carbon dioxide.		* Carbon dioxide.
	* Climate change Act.		* Climate change Act.
		+	* Code for sustainable homes.
	* Energy Act.		* Energy Act.
	* Energy Performance Certificates.		* Energy Performance Certificates.
Line 28:		Line 38:
	* Energy targets.		* Energy targets.
	* Government Construction Strategy.		* Government Construction Strategy.
		+	* Home Quality Mark.
	* Mean lean green.		* Mean lean green.
	* Routes to low carbon energy.		* Routes to low carbon energy.

Editor: Created page with "Low carbon is the term typically applied to an economy, industry or activity to describe the amount of carbon dioxide generated at any point in time. Carbon dioxide when generate..."

2019-11-29T19:20:48Z

Created page with "Low carbon is the term typically applied to an economy, industry or activity to describe the amount of carbon dioxide generated at any point in time. Carbon dioxide when generate..."

New page

Low carbon is the term typically applied to an economy, industry or activity to describe the amount of carbon dioxide generated at any point in time. Carbon dioxide when generated e.g from vehicle exhausts, jet engines, manufacturing, construction etc, accumulates in the upper atmosphere (biosphere) and is widely thought to contribute to global warming and consequently climate change.

Because they accumulate in the upper atmosphere and can trap incoming solar energy, the greenhouse effect is instigated and the earth warms up. It is for this reason that achieving a low-carbon economy has become a target for many countries in their battle to halt global warming.

Being low-carbon (or decarbonised) essentially requires reducing the direct use of fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil – such as lighting fires and driving a vehicle. But also, activities which rely indirectly on fossil fuels, such as cooking and washing, which usually require gas or electricity generated at power stations using fossil fuels (e.g coal and oil). A low fossil-fuel economy (LFFE) is also therefore a low-carbon economy.

Activities or buildings which emit relatively low carbon emissions are said to have a low carbon footprint. As a policy of sustainability, a low carbon footprint may be achieved by designs which focus on renewable energy technology, such as passive solar space/water heating, photovoltaics, triple glazing, high levels of insulation, energy-efficient condensing boilers, building design and orientation etc. Their inclusion can help reduce a building’s operating costs – lower heating and cooling bills, reducing emissions and therefore lowering the carbon footprint.

Achieving this can also be aided by the materials used in constructing a building: clay bricks tend to have a high embodied energy content. Large amounts of energy are required to make them e.g firing, which requires very high temperatures and is therefore energy intensive. This is why such materials are said to have a high embodied energy content. On the other hand, it can be argued that materials such as clay brick can offset their embodied energy content because they have been proven to last for centuries with minimal maintenance. Such considerations should be weighed-up when specifying materials of construction.

= A sector-wide approach =

Building construction, if unregulated, is deemed to generate relatively high carbon emissions. Recent efforts in many developed countries have sought to promote low-carbon buildings and to decarbonise construction.

Transitioning from a high- to a low-carbon construction sector can be difficult and should be implemented gradually. It may be achieved by:

* Promoting good practice and low-carbon developments, including a range of sustainable technologies.
* Promoting and developing low-carbon construction models and associated good practice.
* Initiating and supporting the adoption of low carbon, affordable buildings.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Carbon dioxide.
* Climate change Act.
* Energy Act.
* Energy Performance Certificates.
* Energy Related Products Regulations.
* Energy targets.
* Government Construction Strategy.
* Mean lean green.
* Routes to low carbon energy.
* Sustainability.
* Sustainable materials.
* Zero carbon homes.
* Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Property_development]]