Lock-in risk assessment
The RIBA Passivhaus Overlay, published by the RIBA in 2022, states in relation to the lock-in risk assessment: “Lock-in occurs when infrastructure, technology and product design choices are responsible for avoidable GHG emissions. In this context the term refers to moderate improvements in energy efficiency which are undertaken on retrofit projects. Once such measures have been undertaken it becomes unsustainable, uneconomical and impractical to change the building, leading to substandard performance for at least 30 or 40 years. To avoid lock-in the standard of energy efficiency achieved by each measure must be future-proof. A lock-in risk assessment considers a range of scenarios, the construction sequence, phasing, maintenance plans and financial planning, and seeks to achieve the best possible outcome over the lifecycle of the building. Sometimes it may be more beneficial to postpone a measure, so that it may be undertaken properly later, rather than using a moderate improvement which fits within a restricted, but existing budget. Where possible less energy-intensive technology and product design choices should be used to ‘leapfrog’ emissions-intensive intermediate technology and jump straight to cleaner solutions.”
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