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Towards zero carbon

Currently, the energy used to heat, light and run our homes accounts for 27% of all of the UK's carbon emissions. To help tackle this, the Government is proposing that all new homes be zero carbon and/or utilising low and zero carbon technologies (LZCTs) by 2016.

What is a zero carbon home?

A zero carbon home is one with ‘zero net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from all energy use in the home’. The definition encompasses all energy use in the home (including energy for cooking, TVs, computers and other appliances). It means that over a year there are no net carbon emissions resulting from the operation of the dwelling. This could be achieved either through steps taken at the individual dwelling level or through site wide strategies.

However, industry is already warning that government needs to consider more than just the operational energy; heating and power. Plenty of other aspects associated with CO₂ affect a home’s carbon neutrality; water supply, waste treatment, and materials used in construction and transport. All of these extras need to be taken into account before any talk of a truly zero-carbon home can be considered, but for the moment, Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes (the proposed threshold for triggering stamp duty exemption) is set at the lower target of zero net emissions from energy use in the home.

In support of further reductions, the government challenge ‘Low and Zero Carbon’ aims to tackle climate change at the heart of the planning system and the way new homes are built. The overall strategy for this, set out in the consultation document ‘Building a greener future: towards zero carbon development’ provides an opportunity to deliver more sustainable homes. The consultation was originally issued as part of a package of wide-ranging measures, including:

A framework for progressively tightening building regulations up to 2016 to increase the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of new homes
The publication of the Code for sustainable homes, which aims to increase the environmental sustainability of new homes and give homeowners better information about the sustainability of their home
A draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on climate change, which expects planning strategies to be tested on their carbon ambition and, in providing for new homes, jobs and infrastructure needed by communities, shape places with lower carbon emissions and resilient to climate change. The PPS expects new development to be located to optimise its carbon performance and make the most of existing and planned opportunities for decentralised, renewable and low-carbon, energy supplies.

The recent Stern Review brought into sharp relief the need for urgent international action on climate change. Therefore it is vital that all new homes and other buildings are as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible.

Low and zero-carbon buildings have assumed a high profile at the Construction Products Association, who have launched a low and zero-carbon buildings technology group. The aim of the group is to encourage the development of new technologies in a quest to deliver more sustainable construction.

Energy use

Renewable sources of energy; solar, wind, wave, biomass and geothermal are all sources of energy which are inexhaustible, clean and carbon free. ‘Low to Zero Carbon Technologies’ both in the home and at a national level are the long term solution to climate change. At a national level increased use of LZCT’s produce ever cleaner electricity, which modern electric, heating and hot water products can utilise. Used directly in the home it’s possible to produce low carbon and bill free heating and hot water.

What is being done?

In December 2006, the Code for sustainable homes was launched. This is a new national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes. By integrating elements of this voluntary Code into new homes and obtaining assessments against the Code, developers will be able to obtain a ‘star rating’ for any new home which will demonstrate its environmental performance. The rating will provide valuable information to home buyers, and offer builders a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms.

Also in December 2006, the DCLG launched Building a greener future, a consultation on the timetable for incorporating the energy/carbon standards set out in the Code for sustainable homes into future Building Regulations.

Also, at this time, the Department launched a consultation on the draft of a new Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change. The draft PPS sets out how planning, in providing for the new homes, jobs and infrastructure needed by communities, should help shape places with lower carbon emissions and resilient to the climate change now accepted as inevitable.

Proposals for minimum standards of water efficiency in new homes and new commercial buildings were published, by DCLG, jointly with Defra during December 2006.

Around 70% of the housing stock that will be standing in 2050 has already been built, therefore, it is essential that measures are taken to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes and buildings. The DCLG are working to identify measures and policy options to improve the sustainability of the existing stock, both non-domestic and domestic; as a start to this the Department has prepared Energy efficiency of dwellings - initial analysis.

Local authorities have a key role in leading their communities in tackling climate change; many are already forging ahead in this area. The Local Government White Paper, published in October 2006, explores the role that all local authorities can play.

Of course the big debate in future will be about going all the way. If we’re going to take a stance on emissions, then zero carbon should mean zero carbon. All of the reductions figures, and phrases like ‘zero carbon in terms of the heat load’ are just misleading.