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
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.
NBS launches industry guide for specification writing
Available for free and as immediate download.
Peter Barber’s work revives forgotten building types.
Insights of how to attract more young people to construction
Results from CIOB survey of 16-24 year olds and parents.
Focussing on the practical implementation of electrification.
Preston flood scheme completes primary school SuDS
Three primary schools benefit from SuDS schemes.
Sustainable Urban Drainage and Biodiversity
Awards for champions of these interconnected fields now open.
Microcosm of biodiversity in balconies and containers
Minor design adaptations for considerable biodiversity benefit.
CIOB student competitive construction challenge Ireland
Inspiring a new wave of Irish construction professionals.
Challenges of the net zero transition in Scotland
Skills shortage and ageing workforce hampering Scottish transition to net zero.
Private rental sector, living standards and fuel poverty
Report from the NRH in partnership with Impact on Urban Health.
.Cold chain condensing units market update
Tracking the evolution of commercial refrigeration unit markets.
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.