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carbon

Can a building be net zero carbon?

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Following on from our post last month about COP27, and the growing importance of sustainability in the construction industry, zero carbon is also something that is increasingly in the news.

A panel has been put together to determine exactly what constitutes a net zero carbon building and is now calling for evidence.

The NZCBS is the UK’s first Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard and are championing the initiative.

We are calling on UK built environment industry practitioners to share embodied carbon and in-use operational energy performance data for their buildings.

To develop the Standard, benchmarks will be agreed for the operational energy usage and embodied carbon performance levels today, and limits and targets will be set out for future years based on the industry’s required decarbonisation trajectory. To do this, the project is seeking case study data from the real estate and built environment industry.

The deadline for submission is the 16th December.

The Standard will set out metrics by which net zero carbon performance is evaluated, as well as performance targets, or limits, that need to be met. These are likely to include energy use, upfront embodied carbon, and lifecycle embodied carbon, with other metrics – such as space heating/cooling demand and peak load – also to be considered. It will also cover the approach to carbon accounting, procuring renewable energy, and the treatment of residual emissions, including carbon ‘offsetting’. However, the scope and output of the Standard may evolve throughout the development process.
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It is expected that claims will be required to be validated based on in-use measured data and interim verification of an asset at design stage or once the asset is built but not yet operating may also be considered.

The output will be for developers, contractors, asset owners and managers, occupiers, investors, financiers and funders, consultants, building industry professionals, building managers and product/material manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. It is for anyone who wants to either fund, procure, design, or specify a Net Zero Carbon Building and anyone wanting to demonstrate that their building is ‘Net Zero’-aligned with an industry-agreed Standard.
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Performance targets will align with science-based trajectories needed to achieve net zero by 2050 and a 78% reduction by 2035 in the UK, i.e. what is known to be required to stand a reasonable chance of mitigating global warming to 1.5°C. It will also align with the energy demand reductions projected to be required to enable a net zero carbon energy supply sector.
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The approach will be applicable to both existing and new buildings (e.g. Homes, Offices, Education, Industry, Retail, Hotels, Healthcare etc.). To start, the focus will be on the most common building typologies, especially those for which industry stakeholders have already robust performance data available to inform the setting of performance targets. The Standard will not apply to infrastructure.

The project will hopefully launch in May.

So, what actually is a net carbon building?

A carbon neutral building is one where the design, construction, and operations do not contribute to emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector will greatly help meet climate goals.

In the short and medium term the national grid will not be fully decarbonised and so buildings will need to make use of carbon offsetting to achieve a net zero carbon balance.

Sources: NZC Buildings / net zero carbon guide

What does COP27 mean for construction?

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November saw the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt host the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP27), with a view to building on previous successes and paving the way for future ambition to effectively tackle the global challenge of climate change.

The Building to COP27, a group of sustainability-focused built environment NGOs and organisations, is working to position the built environment as a critical sector to achieve the needed transition to a resilient and zero emissions future at COP conferences. The group aims to raise awareness of the impact that the building sector can have while pointing out that more drastic measures need to be taken, as most countries do not include full building decarbonization targets, and certain areas, such as building materials are under-addressed.

Buildings are responsible for almost 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions and 50% of all extracted materials. The building and construction sector’s demand on natural resources accelerates climate change, and inefficient, unhealthy buildings negatively impact human health and wellbeing.

By 2050:

  • 1.6 billion urban dwellers will be regularly exposed to extreme high temperatures
  • Over 800 million people living in more than 570 cities will be vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal flooding
  • By 2060 the world’s building stock will double and almost 70% of the global population is projected to live in urban areas

By 2030, efficient buildings will be an investment opportunity worth $24.7 trillion Despite this, under $3 of every $100 spent on new construction goes to efficient buildings. Out of the 186 countries that have submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 136 countries mention buildings, 53 countries mention building energy efficiency, and 38 specifically call out building energy codes. Most countries do not include full building decarbonisation targets and certain areas such as building materials are under addressed.

All countries will also need to include full building decarbonisation targets, concrete policies and measures and related implementation mechanisms in their NDCs.

  • 1,000 cities and at least 20% of the largest built environment businesses by revenue committed to the UN’s Race to Zero.
  • The sector’s stakeholders unite behind a single voice and ambition towards shared goals:
  • By 2030, 100% of new buildings must be net-zero carbon in operation and embodied carbon must be reduced by at least 40%, and by 2050, all new and existing assets must be net zero across the whole life cycle (see UNFCCC Human Settlements Pathway).

For the built environment to contribute its fair share of emissions reductions and stay within the 1.5°C degree warming limit, there needs to be a halving of emissions by 2030 and net zero over the full life-cycle by or before 2050. More specifically, this means that by 2030 all new buildings should be “net zero carbon” in operation (no emissions from building energy use) and embodied carbon needs to be reduced by at least 40%.

Building and infrastructure projects have extended lead times. It can take anywhere from a few years to 15-20 years to complete a project, from the initial planning stage to execution and operational start. This means that “2030 is today”. A project that is entering the planning stage in 2022-23 needs to target the required carbon performance for 2030 imperatively.

Today, only very few building projects calculate and report their full carbon footprint, which is a critical practice if we want to understand how to reduce all emissions over the life cycle of buildings. Yet, if owners, developers and investors start requesting Whole Life Carbon assessments, architecture, engineering and construction firms offer them in all their projects, and cities require them in their permitting and procurement procedures, then we could rapidly build up the evidence allowing for benchmarking and target setting and enable everyone to act to achieve them.

During this year’s conference, the Clean Construction Accelerator was announced, an act that hopes to support the built environment sector in halving emissions by 2030 for all new buildings and infrastructure projects.

There are many positives already.  The percentage of construction companies, by revenue, that have joined the Race to Zero has doubled since COP26. Building on this over the next few years is going to be key to achieving the targets/ We look forward to COP28 to see progress.

Sources: archdaily.com / buildingtocop.org

plastics

The first plastic road used in a housing development

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Springfield Properties has become the UK’s first house builder to use waste plastic to build a road on a housing development.

Springfield has used the more environmentally friendly asphalt product containing waste plastic on a section of road at the company’s Linkwood Steadings development in Elgin.

The product reduces the amount of bitumen needed in the asphalt mix but the new surface looks like a traditional road while benefiting from increased durability and longevity.

Springfield teamed up with specialist MacRebur and asphalt producer Pat Munro.

MacRebur turns plastic waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill into granules which are then mixed with a special activator, reducing the amount of fossil fuel required in asphalt production.

Springfield Properties’ North Managing Director, Dave Main, said: “The road in Elgin accounts for 20 tonnes of recycled plastic, the equivalent to 17,042 plastic bags or 6,000 plastic bottles, which would otherwise have been consigned to landfill or incineration.”

Sarah Lakin, Contracts Manager for MacRebur, said: “At MacRebur, we have worked with household names in the commercial sector, the Department for Transport, Highways England and councils to use our product in everything from roads to carparks and racetracks to runways.

“We are very proud to add Springfield to our growing list of clients and welcome them onboard as the first house builder in the UK to use waste plastic in their roads and we look forward to working with them again.

“We also hope this pioneering project will inspire other developers in Scotland to follow Springfield’s lead as our product is available across the country as well as the UK and abroad.”

Source: Constructionenquirer.com

Ekodek Board System

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Ecodek have been producing their unique ecodek® WPC board system for over 14 years. In 2018, the production of ecodek® material consumed more than 3600 tonnes of recycled plastic milk bottles and sustainably sourced hardwood fibres.

With the versatility to adapt to urban or traditional design schemes, ecodek® will allow the designer to transform outdoor spaces and gardens into feature areas. They have produced a range of specific screws, substructure bearers and beams specifically designed for their boards.

ecodek® can be found across the UK and beyond, in residential settings and in public realm areas such as balconies, roof terraces, walkways, bridges, schools, care homes, stadia and restaurants.

Offering bespoke lengths to suit individual projects means a welcome relief on site to the usual problem of waste materials. ecodek® material is 100% recyclable, should any waste be generated on site, their buy back scheme means that this can be sent back to the factory and put back into the production of new boards.

The boards will not warp, splinter or rot, and as ecodek® does not promote mould or algae growth, only require minimal maintenance, and do not require sanding or sealing.

ecodek® material comes with a 25 year warranty as standard, giving piece of mind to both specifier and end user.

Here’s a re-cap of the benefits of ecodek® boards over traditional timber decking:

  • High quality, British made Wood Plastic Composite
  • ecodek® contains 95% recycled and sustainably raw materials and is 100% recyclable
  • Low maintenance – doesn’t require sanding or staining
  • Solid profile that is resistant to rotting, algae and fungal growth plus, no splintering, splitting or flaking­­­
  • Low potential for slip in both wet and dry (tested to HSE standards)
  • Bespoke lengths
  • Easy as timber to work with
  • Low moisture absorption
  • In-built termite and UV resistance
  • Carbon negative production
  • 25 year warranty

Source: UK Construction Week

straw bales

The 7 best eco friendly materials for building

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With the inevitability of declining fossil fuels, and the threat of global climate change, reducing our energy consumption is an essential survival strategy.

Choosing to build green saves energy. The low embodied energy of green products ensures that very little energy went into their manufacture and production, with a direct reduction in carbon emissions. Eco friendly design methodology can further reduce energy consumption by minimising energy inputs for heating, cooling and light, and incorporating energy efficient appliances. Saving energy for the occupant also saves money – an issue that will become increasingly important as the cost of fossil fuels inevitably rises in the near future.

The most eco friendly construction materials for a home are as follows:

Recycled Steel

Utilises steel already in existence for structural use in a home. The reclaimed steel from 6 junk cars provides enough recycled steel to build a 2000 square for home. Recycling saves 75% of the energy costs. Steel is the most recycled material in the world and recycled steel is used in the manufacture of all new steel.

Bamboo

Bamboo is increasing in popularity as a building material. Bamboo is very sustainable since it grows quickly. While trees such as pine and cedar can be reforested, growing them can take years. Bamboo can be reforested much more promptly and grows throughout the world.  Bamboo, like true wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for structures. Bamboo has a higher compressive strength than wood, brick or concrete and a tensile strength that rivals steel.

Sheep’s Wool

Sheep’s wool, of course, can also be regrown quickly. After shearing, sheep inherently produce a new crop. Clothing manufacturers have long-known the insulating properties of wool, which make very cozy sweaters and socks. The same insulating features can make sheep’s wool an energy-efficient insulator in walls, ceilings and attics. Sheep Wool Insulation is totally natural, environmentally friendly, and quick and easy to install.  Wool insulation and other eco-friendly products appeal to the growing numbers of home owners and buyers looking for green buildings with an excellent energy rating.

Straw Bales

Straw bales also have fantastic insulating properties. Straw bales are placed in walls, attics and ceilings to contribute to cooler temperatures in the summer and warmer temperatures in the winter. Straw can be harvested and re-planted easily with minimal environmental impact. The making of straw into bales also has a very low influence.  Research has shown that straw-bale construction is a sustainable method for building, from the standpoint of both materials and energy needed for heating and cooling.

Precast Concrete

Concrete is a natural material that can be recycled, making it an appropriate choice for eco-friendly homes. Pre-cast concrete is eco-friendlier than concrete poured on site. It is poured into pre-made molds over rebar or wire, then cured. Once the concrete has hardened, it can be shipped and placed into multiple structures. As a result, precast concrete achieves economies of scale that concrete which is poured on-site cannot.

Reclaimed or Recycled Wood

Reclaimed or recycled wood has much less of an environmental impact than harvesting new timber. Since many homes and other structures have used wood for several years, it’s relatively easy to reclaim those structures for new home building. Wood can be used in the construction of a home — reclaimed and recycled wood can also be used to make unique floors or exposed beams with an antique look.

Earth

Many cultures throughout the centuries have used earth for building. Homes built of earth are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. While earth homes are frequently produced in China and parts of South America, they are far less prevalent in the United Kingdom.

Plant-Based Polyurethane Rigid Foam

Rigid foam is often used as insulation material in building. It’s made from kelp, hemp and bamboo. Because it is rigid — and relatively immovable — it can be used in insulation. It offers protection against mold and pests, as well as sound insulation and heat resistance.

There are many good reasons why we should use eco-friendly construction methods and materials. It can improve the health of our planet, and the health of our own lives. It also supports local business and helps strengthen the local economy, which in turn helps to build our communities into vibrant, prosperous and desirable places to live

Source: motherearthnews.com / Tata Steel Europe / Sheep Wool Insulation / Wikipedia /

reusable water bottles

Reusable bottles used in a pilot scheme to reduce plastics on site

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A pilot scheme is underway at the mixed-use Abbey Area redevelopment in Camden to use reusable water bottles instead of plastic cups, where Wates is building 141 homes as well as additional retail and commercial spaces.

Reusable bottles have been distributed to the entire workforce who can use fresh water stations to fill them up.

Previously, the Abbey Area redevelopment used an estimated 120,000 cups per year, which cost just over £1,300. The company estimates the move could save around £4,350 per site over ten years, while reducing landfill by 5,000kg over the same period.

Over a 10-year period, Wates estimates that swapping to reusable bottles could save approximately £4,350 per site, as well as reducing landfill by around 5,000kg and helping to reduce litter and marine pollution.

Wates is also hoping the change will encourage workers to cut down their use of single-use plastic bottles as the initiative is rolled-out across all of its sites.

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