Industry proposes building regulations part Z

https://part-z.uk/

[edit] Introduction

In July 2021, the construction industry proposed Part Z, an amendment to the UK building regulations to regulate embodied carbon on all major construction projects. The amendment, if introduced (currently only an industry proposal, and not backed by government),would require whole life carbon assessments and compliance with embodied carbon limits for projects greater than 1000m2 (or 10 dwellings). The proposal was publicly launched in Westminster in March 2022.

The proposal was written by 5 construction industry professionals: Will Arnold (Head of Climate Action at the Institution of Structural Engineers), Tim den Dekker (Associate Architect at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios), Dr Jannik Giesekam (Research Fellow at the University of Strathclyde), Dr Julie Godefroy (Head of Sustainability, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and London Energy Transformation Initiative) and Simon Sturgis (Architect, Carbon Consultant, Royal Institute of British Architects & Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).

The principle of introducing embodied carbon regulations is supported by over 150 leading organisations involved in the UK building industry (statements available at https://part-z.uk/industry-support). These include The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), Chartered Institute Of Building (CIOB), The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), The Steel Construction Institute (SCI), The Structural Timber Association (STA), UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), Off-Site Homes Alliance (OSHA), Construction Industry Council (CIC), along with many others and numerous leading firms.

[edit] CIOB supports proposals for a 'Part Z'

CIOB has confirmed its support for a proposed amendment to the UK Building Regulations 2010 to create an Approved Document Z requiring the assessment of whole life carbon emissions, and limiting of embodied carbon emissions, for all major building projects.

The proposal introduces mandatory assessments ahead of setting carbon limits, giving time to converge on robust yet ambitious targets.

The ‘Part Z’ amendment has been drafted by industry sustainability experts and builds off existing industry guidance, providing policymakers with a quick solution to tackling built environment industry emissions. By setting limits, rather than setting specific requirements on individual elements, the flexibility to design the most appropriate solution for each brief is retained, but now with resource use given an equal footing with cost, quality and time.

Caroline Gumble, Chief Executive Officer at CIOB, said on the proposal: “Sustainability and the push to achieve net zero have, quite rightly, taken their place as priorities in construction.

“CIOB is supportive of regulatory moves which enable a focus on embodied carbon, not just operational carbon emissions, and add weight to its consideration as part of the construction and development process. Sustainability is already something which informs much of our work - and will for years to come - and we have been clear to our members that opportunities to take a more environment-centred approach, combined with practical measures and clarity in legislative requirements, should be welcomed. The industry needs to walk the walk on minimising climate change, not just talk the talk, and we expect CIOB members to update their knowledge through CPD and understand how they can make a meaningful positive contribution to achieving net zero.”

Text taken from CIOB Policy and Public Affairs Newsletter - April 2022 for more information about CIOB visit https://www.ciob.org/industry/policy-research

[edit] Further Information

A copy of the parliamentary launch report, including sample statements of support, the proposed Part Z and the proposed Approved Document Z, can be downloaded via the link below:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60d9f44f29825255def91a2f/t/6246ffef95da570f43696fe3/1648820214156/Part+Z+Launch+Booklet+March+2022.pdf

A copy of the proposed documents (Part Z and Approved Document Z) only can be downloaded via the link below:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60d9f44f29825255def91a2f/t/60f1b7dd472b246e7d602bfd/1626453985613/AD-Z+Proposal+20-07-2021+rev0.pdf

The proposal is accompanied by a website, which contains more information about the Part Z initiative, and how to add your company’s support:

https://part-z.uk/

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