LETI calls for responses to BEIS net zero review

[edit] Background

BEIS is running an open consultation on Net Zero, to contribute to an independent review to ensure the government’s net zero plans are being delivered in a way that is ‘pro-business and pro-growth’.

The London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) was established in 2017 to support the transition of the London’s built environment to meet Net Zero Carbon. The voluntary group is made up of developers, engineers, housing associations, architects, planners, academics, sustainability professionals, contractors and facilities managers.

[edit] Responses needed

LETI believe it is important for businesses working in the Built Environment to submit a response, to emphasise the readiness and technical ability of the industry to decarbonise buildings right across the sector. We know from previous consultations that the LETI network has responded strongly and helped to effect real change!

LETI will be responding as an organisation, but it is necessary for every organisation to submit uniquely and as specifically as possible, to ensure that our responses are all ‘counted’ as separate responses.

Submit your responses here: https://beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/nzs/call-for-evidence-on-net-zero-review/

[edit] Formulating responses

The deadline for responses is the 27th of October. There are 30 questions in the call for evidence. Around half are directed to specific groups (the general public, local authorities and academic institutions).

If you don’t have much time but would like to respond, then just answer one or two questions that you feel are most important or for which you know of relevant studies or other ‘evidence’. The first 7 overarching questions could be completed in around 30-45 mins.

Ideally, there are another 10 questions directed at businesses which you could complete in an extra 30–45 minutes.

Please submit your responses here: https://beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/nzs/call-for-evidence-on-net-zero-review/

LETI have listed some key points or themes that may help to get a response started, but please do use your own words to express your views, and do not be limited by the suggestions.

[edit] Themes to consider in responses

[edit] Theme 1: Opportunities and growth

Investment in the UK’s infrastructure, both energy and transport, is urgently needed, to improve its reliability and efficiency, as well as to address decarbonisation. Low carbon solutions are more robust for the long term.

The built environment industry is prepared to support the government in achieving net zero, and there are potential opportunities for green skills and training to boost the economy, in areas such as retrofit and renewable energy transitions

[edit] Theme 2: Government support and policy focus

The creation of a stable policy environment with consistently framed targets over a long term is vital to support business investment and growth, even when the implementation of those targets is in stages. Certainty about the ultimate goals and the rate of progress needed allows business and individuals to plan, to be sure about how to mitigate the risk of ‘stranded assets’ and to develop a considered and confident investment strategy. Innovation and creativity are greatly helped by having clarity about the country’s objectives and a well-defined pathway through the transitions needed to reach the targets we have set. Professionals working in the built environment already have many of the tools and knowledge to support a speedy net zero transition. The industry is working on a Net Zero Carbon standard towards this effect, while the Part Z initiative makes recommendations for limiting embodied carbon emissions.

It is important that we develop a consistent understanding and definition for what we mean by Net Zero that is reflective of the reality of emissions in the UK. Industry has already been generating its own guidance documents, recommendations and targets that are already being widely adopted. To consolidate and clarify work in this area, a UK net zero carbon buildings standard is in development led by BBP, BRE, the Carbon Trust, CIBSE, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS, and UKGBC. Support from the government will help to ensure a level playing field and wider uptake of these voluntary initiatives.

[edit] Theme 3: Risks and obstacles

The risk of not doing enough is far greater than that of doing ‘too much’.
It is vital that we fulfil our commitments to net zero. There is a significant risk of socio-economic harm resulting from extreme weather events, with a greater risk of power outages and supply chain issues. Limiting global warming should be a priority for ensuring business and society at large are successful.

The built environment is a significant contributor to the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

[edit] Theme 4: Consumer choices

There is significant public interest in and demand for more rapid progress towards Net Zero in the UK.
Decarbonising existing buildings with fully considered retrofit action plans can help to reduce energy bills and their inflationary pressure and to reduce fuel poverty.

[edit] Theme 5: Energy security

Decarbonising existing buildings with fully considered retrofit action plans will reduce energy bills and their inflationary pressure, and reduce fuel poverty. Halving home heating with proven technologies and using UK manpower, generates some £80b cost savings in grid infrastructure peak capacity. This is a vital component to support power generating companies to achieve the decarbonisation needed and enable us to move towards greater energy sovereignty. Additionally, this makes UK generated renewables available as a valuable UK export revenue earner, instead of a cost burden on UK households and businesses. Decarbonising buildings is a solution we already know how to do, with technology that is already developed with mature supply chains in place. Moving rapidly to decarbonise the built environment makes time for other more challenging industries to transition more slowly as innovations are yet to take hold and to ensure there is capacity in the infrastructure to support changes needed.

This article was written and supplied via email with links by LETI entitled "Net Zero Review: Call for Evidence" dated October 18, for further details contact by visiting www.leti.london.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Climate Emergency Design Guide.
• Government net zero review 2022.
• London Energy Transformation Initiative LETI
• LETI publishes Climate Emergency Retrofit Guide.
• Net zero carbon 2050.
• Retrofit.
• Zero carbon homes.