Achieving zero carbon
![]() |
December 2019’s general election not only delivered a big-majority Conservative government and confirmed full steam ahead for Brexit, it also answered the question of which manifesto for a ‘zero carbon Britain’ we need to take notice of.
How the Conservative’s climate change manifesto rolls out in practice will soon be tested by new energy and environmental Bills and the imminent March Budget, but the broad commitments to ‘fight climate change’ and achieve a ‘net zero carbon’ UK economy by 2050 are there.
Remarkably, while the Conservative manifesto could have been confused with a love letter to offshore wind power – some 40GW of relatively low-cost wind capacity is anticipated by the end of this decade – it had nothing to say about onshore wind, which is an even cheaper source of low- to no-carbon energy. Nor was there any mention of developing our enormous potential for tidal power, even though projects around Wales in particular could contribute massively to decarbonising the UK energy network and help electric heating to elbow domestic and commercial fossil-fuelled heat aside.
However, looking elsewhere in the manifesto, we see welcome commitments to further boost the UK EV charging network, to reduce carbon emissions and help to improve urban air quality, and to spend billions on domestic and public-sector energy efficiency. Beyond this, the manifesto starts to become more fanciful, with references to floating wind farms (interesting) a UK battery ‘Gigafactory’ (noting Tesla decided its own Gigafactory will be in Berlin) and additional fusion energy research (fingers crossed).
ECA’s assessment of current low- to no-carbon opportunities counts around 15 types of electrotechnical technology, including industry front runners such as lighting and EV charging. We will be actively discussing all these technologies, and the skills needed to deliver them at scale, with government and other key stakeholders in 2020 and beyond.
And that 2050 Government ‘net-zero carbon’ target? Some might say 2050 is booting the ball well into somebody else’s long grass. Our conversations with government and other key stakeholders will look for action over a much shorter timescale than the next 30 years. And so finally, a call to action: if any company, from across our industry, is able to share low-carbon energy solutions that have been installed and are already delivering significant carbon reductions, the ECA would be very pleased to hear from them at: [email protected]
Let us see what we can do to get zero carbon done.
[edit] About this article
This article was written by Paul Reeve, Director of CSR at the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA). It previously appeared on the ECA website in January 2020 under the title ‘What can we do to get Zero Carbon done’? It can be accessed HERE.
Other articles by the ECA on Designing Buildings Wiki can be accessed HERE.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- A zero-carbon UK by 2050?
- Carbon footprint.
- Carbon negative.
- Carbon neutral.
- Carbon neutral contract.
- CIBSE Case Study: Walgreens net zero energy drugstore.
- CIOB responds to Sixth Carbon Budget.
- Climate Change Act.
- Low or zero carbon technologies.
- Nearly zero-energy building.
- Net zero carbon building.
- What we need for the journey to net-zero carbon emissions.
- Zero Bills Home.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non domestic buildings.
--ECA
Featured articles and news
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).