Issues, Effectiveness and Impact on CO2 Reduction in the United Kingdom - Essay Example

for Sustainable Homes – Issues, Effectiveness and Impact on CO2 reduction in United Kingdom Introduction The global climate is a result of the complex interactions between the atmosphere, cryosphere (ice), hydrosphere (oceans), lithosphere (land) and biosphere (life), fueled by the non-uniform spatial distribution of incoming solar radiation (Stute et al, 2001) Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and averting the worst climate change is both a global issue as well as an environmental and economic issue for the United Kingdom. The threat from climate change to both present and future generations makes it a sustainability issue which necessitates the need to formulate strategies, framework, policies, regulations and any other method to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in to the atmosphere (Bergman et al, 2007). Presently the world is going through the global warming phase; the cause has been attributed to increasing green house gases from industrial, commercial and various other residential activities. Goodall (2007:3) mentions that fewer people know the details regarding the amount of carbon dioxide are generated in their day to day activities. It is further mentioned that only air travels, each person travelling by air is responsible for 12.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year in United Kingdom. It is important to mention that half of the total carbon emissions results from the way in which we live i.e. running our homes and getting from place to place in car or plane. Bergman et al (2007) states that household ownership of electronics, such as televisions, domestic IT and other gadgets has increased rapidly and expected to continue to rise over the next years making the consumer electronics, the biggest single sector of home electricity consumption. And moreover, the number of households is increasing with the increased growth in population year by year causing an increased environmental burden and introducing social sustainability issues. It is further mentioned that the one person household in the UK has grown from 18% in 1971 to 30% in 2001 and are predicted to constitute 38% of households by 2026. In view of the involvement of residential activities in carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases, the governments from different countries evolved and formulated different strategies to cope with the increasing problem. The present paper looks into the policies adopted by United Kingdom to reduce the carbon emissions the residential sector by providing carbon free homes as stipulated in their Code for Sustainable Homes. Code for Sustainable Homes – Why According to the report for World Business Summit on Climate Change at Copenhagen (2009) business has a critical role to play in financing, developing and deploying low carbon solutions and is expected to provide bulk of the investment required in transition to a low carbon economy. Further the mechanisms and regulations designed by the governments, whether carbon markets, public private partnerships, standards or taxes should be designed to promote business engagement on climate change. The summit agreed to reduce the carbon emission in various areas and increase the energy efficiency which can help in reducing 34% carbon emissions. The White Paper on UK Low Carbon Transition Plan (2009) reported that the average global temperature may rise up to 6O C by the end of the present century if the emission of greenhouse gases are not reduced below today’s level. The property sector is becoming more aware of the need to reduce exposure to environmental risk. The impact of the construction process and the associated impact from materials extraction and manufacture in terms of energy and resource use or levels of emissions on global conditions could be identified as a major ‘indirect’ environmental hazard. It is pertinent to mention here that though the main source of the carbon greenhouse gases is the burning fossil fuels for energy, a reduction in the energy level is required in manufacturing sector. The release of chemicals into the atmosphere from manufacturing processes has been linked to damage the ozone layer. King (n.d) presents that 200,000 new homes are constructed every year in United Kingdom contributing to the 30% of carbon emissions. It is further stated that 55% of the timber used in United Kingdom goes into homes, most of which are from unsustainable sources, water consumption is averaged at 150-180 litres per person each day and present homes are developed and managed in such a way that determines the lifestyle decisions, overall impact on the environment, consumption and waste generation. Owing to the seriousness of manufacturing sector being one of the serious culprits in damaging the atmosphere, most of the construction and property sectors have adopted voluntarily or under pressure from certain groups and government agencies to manufacture green homes. (Anderson et al, n.d:3) Housing is the major factor in United Kingdom’s fight against climate change accounting for one third of UK’s total carbon dioxide emissions due to heating, and lighting of homes. And according to the UK Department of Communities and Local Government, the present demand for homes will result in one third of the houses being built between now and 2050 and therefore changing the way houses are built now will therefore have a major effect on UK sustainable development in the future. Thus in order to make the most of the opportunity, the Code for Sustainable Homes has been introduced in the UK for the environmental assessment of new homes which is a single national standard that builds on the former assessment system (http://ec.europa.eu). Certain issues which need immediate action as per Code for Sustainable Homes and Effectiveness The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH, 2006) welcomed the concept of code and the contribution it can make towards meeting the UK’s Kyoto targets as well as building sustainable communities. The Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced and became operational in England in April 2007 and a code rating was introduced which became mandatory from 1st May 2008 (www.breeam.org). Prior to that EcoHomes Scheme was under operation which helped as the reference guide to individuals trained and licensed as assessors to calculate the EcoHomes rating. The scheme covered all standard housing developments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland like private and social housing schemes; flats, apartments and houses and new build and major refurbishment. (EcoHomes, 2006) The Code for Sustainable Homes replaced the previous scheme for the assessment of new housing in England containing mandatory performance in 7 key areas of energy efficiency, water efficiency, surface water management, site waste management, household waste management, use of materials and lifetime homes; in all constructing sustainable homes (www.breeam.org). Bergman et al (2007:4) mentions that sustainability in the housing sector does not refer merely to energy efficiency and combating climate change but also providing environmental, social and economic sustainability of houses, household and communities and it should be noted that providing affordable housing is not about cheap, but also includes the aspects of decency, community where the house is located. However the key objectives of the code as recommended by the Sustainable Building Task Group is to bring about a step change in sustainable building practice for new homes, provide a route map to zero carbon dwelling, encourage home builders to construct more sustainable homes and signal the direction of future regulations (King, n.d.). The Code measures the sustainability of homes against nine design categories, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package which include the seven key mandatory areas along with pollution, health and well being, management and ecology. The code presents various issues under each category that need to be addressed in order to provide sustainable homes and reduce carbon emissions. Regarding energy and CO2 emissions, issues like dwelling emissions rate, building fabric, internal lighting, drying space, energy labeled white goods, external lighting, low or zero carbon technologies, cycle storage and home office are at the core of code which lays down certain rule and regulations in order to bring down the emission rate The issue of dwelling emissions is assessed by credit rating and aims to limit the emission of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere arising from the operation of a dwelling and its service wherein the credits are awarded on the percentage improvement in the Dwelling Emission Rate over Target Emission Rate. (www.communities.gov.uk).Earlier the credits were awarded based on SAP 2005 related average CO2 (EcoHomes 2006). The building fabric should be in compliance to the code in order to future proof the energy efficiency of dwellings over their whole life by limiting the heat losses across the building envelope. The Code awards the credit based on the Heat Loss Parameter for each dwelling whereas the EcoHomes award credits on the basis of average heat loss across the whole site. The internal lighting under the code is aimed at encouraging the provision of energy efficient internal lighting so that carbon emission is reduced from the dwellings. It is estimated that energy saving bulbs can reduce the electricity bill by up to £7 a year which consequently results in low carbon emission from the households’ electricity. The code has also created a provision for the housing providers to construct houses with drying space for clothes so that equipments like tumble dryer are not used. Further it is necessary to provide cycle storage so that cycling is encouraged as the source of transport reducing the short car journeys. It is necessary under the code that all the products and materials used for the construction of houses should be energy labeled white goods. The code mandates the use of zero or low carbon technologies to reduce carbon emissions and atmospheric pollution by encouraging local energy generation from renewable sources to supply a significant proportion of the energy and demand. It is further stated that use of zero or low carbon emission sources will not lead to reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants but will also help to conserve the finite global fossil fuel resources and finally, the code aims to reduce the need to commute to work by providing residents with necessary space and services enabling work from home. It is further stated that working from home results in lesser movement of people from one place to another minimizing transportation simultaneously reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. Apart from the requirements to reduce the carbon emission, the code also mentions regulations pertaining to conserving other sources of energy like water (www.communities.gov.uk). King (n.d) presents that the mandatory requirements of the code is to ensure that run off rates and annual volumes of run-off post development will be no greater that the previous conditions for the site. As per the code a site waste management plan must be produced and implemented which monitors the waste generated on site and setting the targets to promote resource efficiency in accordance with the relevant guidance. The code is closely linked to building regulations which are the minimum building standards required by the law and signals the future direction of Building Regulations in relation to carbon emission from and energy use in homes providing greater regulatory certainty for the homebuilding industry (www.communities.gov.uk). The Code for Sustainable Homes is being managed by BRE Global under contract to Communities and Local Government wherein it is required to carry out the code assessments under license by a wide range of organizations (www.planningportal.gov.uk). It is important that the costs of greenhouse gas emissions reductions are kept proportionate for industry to avoid damaging the UK’s competitive position in the world market (www.ukpia.com). Bergman et al (2007) mentions that recent and planned changes to planning and building regulations and sustainability targets has effectively change the conditions in the United Kingdom. It is further stated that government took major initiatives considering the importance of sustainable housing recommending major changes to land use planning resulting in indirect and direct pressure on the government. Ruth Kelly, Communities Secretary stated that decision to exempt zero carbon homes from tax duty, as announced by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown in his Pre-Budget Report, will boost the sales and motivate the sales of the houses and act as financial incentives to the developers. Paul King, WWF’s Director of Campaigns stated that “the code sends the right signal, loud and clear, for house builders to put zero carbon development at the top of their agenda.’ He further stated that zero carbon homes are critical in achieving the government’s target to cut CO2 by at least 60% by 2050 as homes built from today onwards will represent one-third to the total housing stock (http://news.bbc.co.uk). The measures taken by the UK government to reduce the carbon emission from households by developing zero carbon homes has been welcomed by environmental groups. Liz Murray, Friends of the Earth Campaigner, states that “the key to low and zero carbon housing is maximizing energy efficiency of these homes in first instance and embedding within the design a means by which energy can be generated… The sooner all developers do this the better”. (www.energysavingsecrets.co.uk) Transition to a low carbon economy The climate change is a global challenge which requires radical mobilization to address the issue. While considering the challenge of how to mobilize the necessary flows of capital for transition to be a low carbon economy, it is important to acknowledge the obvious: delivering an adequate and reliable return on low carbon investment is an essential for investors (Copenhagen Climate Council, 2009). Bergman et al (2007) mentions about the transition theory which highlights the interdependency of institutions and infrastructures constituting societal systems and subsystems. Further it is mentioned that there is much evidence that the mainstream building sector in the UK has practices and culture which are incompatible with sustainability on various levels. It is important to note that sustainability issues require not only a ‘technological shift in the building industry, but a complete paradigm shift: changes in structure, communication strategy and actors. A variety of developments and communities around the United Kingdom, both mainstream and alternative, have appeared over the past years and decades. Smith (cited in Bergman et al 2007) claims strategic creation of innovative, greener niches, is a possible approach for sustainable technology governance in general. The landscape of the housing and communities sector includes increased pressure from climate change and the change in attitudes towards global and UK resources limitation, including energy and land, changing attitudes towards social sustainability and communities, etc. Recent and planned changes to planning and building regulations and sustainability targets have effectively changed the landscape. It is further mentioned that as per transition theory, all of these recent changes amount to a landscape change putting pressure on the regime which may cause some changes in house builders and planner practices. Contributing in CO2 reductions in the United Kingdom McManus (n.d) mentions that code will result in cost of housing provision and also likely to increase the prices in other meeting areas like water, electricity and other home appliances. Further increased construction costs is likely to have strong impact on RSLs, tenants will benefit from the lower fuel bills, possibly increased standard of living. John Cave (2010) mentioned that the Code for Sustainable Homes is a framework of legislation developed by the government to address standards in the housing sector in relation to building new homes. The compliance of code up to level 3 will result in 25% reduction of building CO2 emissions relating to energy in the home over 2006 Building Regulations and later will increase to 44% reduction in Code Level 4, and ultimately reaching 100% reduction heading to the development of zero carbon homes (www.ecademy.com) As mentioned earlier, housing sector contributes about 30% to the overall CO2 emissions in the UK and the government is inclined towards reducing the overall emission rate by 80% by 2050. The code provides substantial opportunities for housing developers, appliance manufacturers, and energy service and industries to greatly improve the UK housing at the same time delivering 60% CO2 savings (Lyngdoh, 2007). The Department of Communities and Local Government estimates that zero carbon homes policy has the potential to reduce 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide representing 3.6% of the minimum greenhouse gases emissions. It is further estimated that by 2020, existing homes will account for 88% of all housing stock so it is imperative not to overlook their contribution in making equivalent carbon savings especially when cheap and simple energy efficiency improvements are available. The zero carbon policy will impact the standards for onsite carbon reduction in new homes helping in improving the regulated emissions targeted of 44 percent planned for 2013, as per Level 4. The code of sustainable homes uses a sustainable rating system indicated by stars to communicate overall sustainability performance of a home which can achieve one to six star rating depending on the extent to which it has achieve code standards. The point system integrates energy and water usage as well as other key sustainability criteria from year to year. The code mandated the public sector to achieve a level 3 rating and the private sector to achieve a mandatory code rating (www.lowenergyhouse.com). SAP enables electric heating to be specified under the code, thus raising the allowable carbon emissions. Percentage saving is thus easier to achieve, so that dwelling emission rate improves despite carbon intensity of heating system being higher, dwelling can still achieve level 3 and 4 of the code (McManus, n.d.). The code for sustainable homes will help in achieving the target set by the UK government of achieving 80% reduction in carbon emission rate by 2050. Certain Benefits The Code for Sustainable Homes benefits the home builders in respect to mark of quality, by demonstrating the sustainability performance of their homes and to differentiate themselves from the competitors. The levels of performance for energy efficiency indicate the future direction of building regulations, bringing greater regulatory certainty for home builders. It sets a level of sustainability performance against each element but does not prescribe how to achieve each level. Homes built complying to the provisions of the Code will have lower running costs through greater energy and water efficiency than homes not built according to the code standard in order to reduce fuel poverty. It will further enhance the comfort and satisfaction of tenants and enable social housing providers to demonstrate their sustainability credentials to the public, tenants and bodies. Further the code will provide valuable information to homebuyers on the sustainability performance of different homes, assisting them in their choice of a new home. The consumer demand for environment friendly homes will result in further demand for new homes which in turn will encourage the industry to build more new sustainable homes. The code will have lower running costs through greater energy and water efficiency and will provide a more pleasant and healthy place to live (www.ccar.co.uk) Conclusion The primary objective of the code is to achieve zero carbon homes in order to avoid the increase in emissions which would otherwise arise from three million homes in 2020. It is important to mention that the micro technologies used in developing zero carbon homes will last for 15 – 25 years and needs to be replaced over time. The primary concern related to code is the reliability on a few technology types, such as biomass (www.building.co.uk). The code for sustainable homes would be a landmark achievement if all the provisions mentioned are complied with. The United Kingdom will be able to achieve its target of achieving 80% reduction in carbon emissions until 2050. However there are certain issues regarding the costs and infrastructure that needs to be addressed. Anyway through the application of code in building homes, the UK will be able to achieve its desired targets effectively. References 1. Anderson J, Shiers, D and Steele K (n.d.) The Green Guide to Specification, An Environmental Profiling System for Building Materials and Components, Ed. 4th, Wiley Blackwell, BreGlobal, United Kingdom. 2. Bergman, N, Whitmarsh, L, Jonathan, K. Haxeltine, A and Schilperood, M (2007) Assessing transitions to sustainable housing and communities in the UK, International Conference on Whole Life Urban Sustainability and its Assessment, http://download.sue-mot.org/Conference-2007/Papers/Bergman.pdf 3. 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The Code for Sustainable Homes, February 2008, Department of Communities and Local Government. Crown. United Kingdom. 19. The UK Code for Sustainable Homes – A Voluntary Environmental Assessment Method, Environmental Technologies Action Plan, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/etap/inaction/pdfs/sept07_UK_code_sust_homes.pdf 20. Zero Carbon Homes, Energy Saving Secrets, www.energysavingsecrets.co.uk 21. Zero carbon, homes plan unveiled, 2006, BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6176229.stm Read More