New Ministry champions holistic approach to decarbonisation
The government’s new Department of Energy Security and Net Zero this week welcomed a holistic approach to debcarbonising buildings. ECA, along with partners The Sustainable Energy Association and other industry bodies, launched The Technology Agnostic Approach to Heat and Buildings in the Houses of Parliament.
Hosting the event was MP B.Afolami, who commented:
"The … report emphasises the need for flexible, low carbon and smart technologies to be at the centre of home heat solutions. Our built environment is historically complex and diverse, so a range of interventions are needed across the domestic heat market.
"This report sets out the need for a variety of data-driven, market-led and bottom-up approaches to decarbonise construction, diversify supply, promote cost-efficiency and support delivery. The contributors to this report have done the legwork to demonstrate how this can be achieved in line with our mission to reach Net Zero by 2050.”
A diverse range of low-carbon technologies is crucial to delivering Net Zero. Previous policies which championed one technology over others, have created a boom-and-bust market, which has slowed the take up of these products and damaged consumer trust.
S. Bratt, ECA’s Group Chief Executive Officer said:
“This report highlights the importance of using all the tools at our disposal to reach the target of net zero. I am pleased that it recognises the importance of safe, compliant and competently installed equipment in meeting consumers’ needs.”
- Accelerated Route to Net-Zero Buildings: How technology agnosticism will target and channel investments into a variety of low-carbon technologies for decarbonising buildings at an accelerated rate, whilst maximising the benefits of healthy and cost-effective buildings.
- Flexible and Smart Building Energy Systems: How this approach emphasises the installation of smart and flexible technologies to reduce the costs associated with operating buildings as they become low carbon.
- Effective Consumer Education and Engagement: How an outcomes-based approach to heat decarbonisation is more appropriate to what, where, and how low-carbon technologies are put forward and installed in buildings. This marries up consumer desires with effective solutions.
- High Quality Skills and Clear Local and National Planning: How a more agnostic approach deploying tailored solutions uses relevant skills at a local level; primarily driven by bottom-up, evidence-based, building-level decision making that target outcomes over a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Stimulating Manufacturing, Supply Chains and Innovation: How this approach will stimulate the market and grow capacity for Net Zero. As the investment landscape takes on a more concrete form, with clear pathways for industry to supply demand, manufacturing capabilities, product investment, and supply chain diversity and resilience will grow, benefitting the UK’s low-carbon economy.
You can read the full report here.
ECA works closely with its Members, industry partners and Government to help Britain transition to Net Zero Carbon. We produce regular guidance notes, technical bulletins, and industry updates to keep Members at the forefront of the Net Zero transition. Learn more here.
This article appears on the ECA news and blog site as "New Ministry champions holistic approach to decarbonisation" dated February 2023.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Aligning net zero with the levelling-up agenda.
- APM responds to the Government 2022 mini budget.
- A zero-carbon UK by 2050?
- CIOB reaction to September 2022 mini budget.
- Climate Change Act.
- Government departments.
- Government Growth Plan September 2022.
- Government net zero review 2022.
- Half of public sector bodies not planning for net zero carbon.
- LETI calls for responses to BEIS net zero review.
- Net zero by 2050.
- Sustainable Energy Association SEA
- Smoothing the path to net zero.
- UK Energy Bill Relief Schemes.
- UK department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy split into three new departments.
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.