Buildings fit for the future: 2050 & beyond
The UK Government’s Clean Growth Strategy aims to halve the energy usage of new buildings by 2030, however, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) recently warned that the UK is set to fail its legally binding targets to avert climate change unless urgent action was taken to reduce emissions. The report highlights inadequate future-proofing and that the buildings being built now are not fit for 2050.
Following the press release, Lord Debben said: ‘The (housebuilding) industry should be ashamed of itself that it is still producing homes that are cheating the people they sell to. If you don’t produce a properly insulated home, you put a burden on the purchaser and the next purchaser for the rest of time in terms of their energy bills.’
 |
 |
 |
 |
L - R: The Clean growth Stratgy, Climate Change Committee (CCC) Reducing UK emissions report, Welsh Assembly Low Carbon Housing
The construction sector provides a key opportunity to reduce emissions in a cost-effective way. Passivhaus is a building performance standard with clear measured targets and a testing process that provides quality assurance. This summer’s heat wave (2018) highlights the importance of buildings which do not consume vast amounts of energy to keep us warm in winter or stay cool in summer. Passivhaus provides a viable solution available now to improve energy-efficiency across the building stock.
Recent revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England outline the need for quality as well as quantity in the building of new homes. The Trust welcome the Westminster Government’s confirmation that local authorities can set higher energy-efficiency requirements than those currently contained within Part L of the Building Regulations.
Several councils are (or soon to be) consulting on their local plans, offering a great opportunity to comment and potentially influence your local policies. PHT member Mark Siddall, LEAP, along with support from the AECB have created a draft letter advocating higher standards, with many useful references, including how other councils are actively addressing sustainable development in policy and beyond. We encourage others to utilise the template when addressing your own council.
If you are championing the Passivhaus standard and believe an endorsement from the Passivhaus Trust would be beneficial, please email a final draft of your customised letter to info@passvhaustrust.or.uk for our approval. Additional templates, example letters and information can be found in our Passivhaus Social campaign.
Zero carbon policy is already changing thanks to regional and devolved administrations. Recent progress in Scotland demonstrates an example of an impressive policy package to drive emissions reductions with ambitious targets backed and supported via investment of more than half a billion pounds over the next four years, and a clear commitment to develop this programme. By 2050, Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) aims to transform the efficiency of buildings so that, wherever feasible and practical, they are near zero carbon.
The Trust advised on the recently published report: Low Carbon Housing The Challenge produced by the National Assembly for Wales, which recognises Passivhaus as a good route to meeting carbon reduction targets. Greater Manchester, London and several other regions are all promoting zero carbon standards.
These points will be covered in more detail at the 2018 UK Passivhaus Conference titled Passivhaus and the road to zero carbon, where we will examine the implementation of policy at national and international levels that are helping to drive higher building standards. Our keynote speaker, Sean Pander, will describe how the zero-carbon building code at the City of Vancouver and the Provincial Energy Step Code evolved; Why they focus on a fabric first approach and how both were informed and are supported by the Passivhaus standard. Sean will explain the market transformation strategies such as incentives, training, and regulatory barrier removal being used to accelerate the code’s implementation. He will conclude with British Columbia case studies and how the city moved from one certified home in 2015 to over 1,100 housing units currently underway.
Further Information
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published 24 July 2018
Passivhaus Standards for New Builds - Flat Pack
Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme SEEP
National Welsh Assembly, Low Carbon Housing: The Challenges
Committee on Climate Change (CCC)
3rd August 2018
Get involved with the UK Passivhaus community
 |
 |
 |
 |
