The Zero Carbon Home - Report Example

The Zero Carbon Home Introduction This work reviews technologies that relate to renewable energy, and it also highlights the need to construct homes that do not use carbon based fuels for their energy needs. In this context, the disadvantages ensuing due to carbon emissions in the construction industry were examined. The UK government has been encouraging clients and the industry to switch over to low or zero carbon technologies, or sources of renewable energy. This aspect has also been examined. Moreover, it deals with the endeavours of the government of the United Kingdom to promote zero carbon homes. To this end the government has implemented several measures that aim to compel builders to construct dwellings that do not utilize carbon based fuels for heating and other energy intensive purposes. In the course of this discussion, data regarding the present consumption of carbon based energy has been provided. A code for sustainable homes and a programme for reducing the consumption of carbon based fuels were implemented in the UK. By the year 2016, the UK government aims to construct, only zero carbon homes. The United Kingdom is committed to making it mandatory to construct only zero carbon homes by the year 2016. Under this programme, all new homes built in the nation should be zero – carbon. The government published the regulations to be adhered to by the builders of new homes. It attempts to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of all new homes built in the future. The present consumption of energy for heating and lighting homes and for other domestic purposes, releases around 27% of the total carbon emissions, in the UK. This amounts to nearly forty million tonnes (Rajgor, January-February 2007, P.60). The population of the UK is steadily increasing, and in conjunction with more people residing in smaller homes, the demand for housing will increase continuously. This trend stresses the importance of constructing sustainable and eco – friendly homes to reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy. In order to achieve that target, the government has to impose stricter measures to be followed by the existing households. It also planned to realise its goal of zero carbon homes within ten years. The UK is the first nation to have such an objective (Rajgor, January-February 2007, P.60). In the initial stages, implementation of the code for sustainable homes was to be voluntary. Thereafter, it was to be made mandatory, with effect from April 2008. This measure was welcomed by environmental activists and organisations concerned with building green homes. The UK Government drafted the Building a Greener Future: Towards Zero Carbon Development programme, in order to set the standards for constructing sustainable and eco – friendly homes (Rajgor, January-February 2007, P.60). It also provides the relevant information to builders and house owners about the implementation of the code. Furthermore, it introduces a system of star rating, in respect of sustainability of homes. A six star rating indicates that the home has maximum sustainability. This new rating is to be applied to the new as well as the existing homes (Rajgor, January-February 2007, P.60). Each star rating signifies a threshold of energy efficiency and carbon emission and water efficiency standards. This code is applied to all the appliances that use energy in the home. It also deals with the other factors pertaining to the sustainability of the environment. Moreover, it deals with the materials used in construction, recycling facilities and home offices. However, the government is not insisting that all new homes should comply with the stringent measures of the code. These standards have to be invariably met by homes that involve public funding (Rajgor, January-February 2007, P.60). The manufacture of cement entails polluting the atmosphere, on account of the emission of Carbon Dioxide. Five percent of the global emissions of CO2 are due to cement manufacturing plants. Carbon dioxide is the chief perpetrator of global warming. It cannot be recycled, and every new building or road requires cement. Such is the consequence of construction activity (Rosenthal, 2007). There are four broad categories, under which renewable energy technologies employed in commercial applications, can be classified. These are power generation, hot water, heating, and cooling. There is considerable use of solar hot water and biodiesel that is used as fuel in cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles (Martinot, July / August 2006). A number of policies have emerged across the world, for the protection of the environment, energy security, fuel import substitution and development of the rural sector. Market barriers and external economic influences play a major role in developing policy (Martinot, July / August 2006). In addition, there is a well founded perception that increases in production, results in a corresponding decrease in costs. This renders the technology employed competitive, which in turn requires only public support in the short term. The international community has set targets, in respect of the future development of renewable energy, power generation policies, water heating policies, bio fuel policies and policies that promote the sale of environment friendly power (Martinot, July / August 2006). Specific areas obtain a number of environmental and socioeconomic benefits, due to the sustainable development engendered in them by the use of renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, the environmental benefits of using renewable energy sources have been accorded greater prominence than the socioeconomic effects. Some of these are the variegation of energy supply, improved prospects for rural and regional development and employment avenues. The benefits accruing from these effects have been analysed in an extremely general manner. Consequently, the benefits at the regional and local level have not been studied (del Río & Burguillo, June 2008). This absence of specificity has been accompanied by the lack of an integrated theoretical framework to enable meaningful analysis. It has been generally contended that renewable energy sources bestow upon particular territories a number of environmental and socioeconomic benefits, which promotes their sustainability. Renewable energy resources significantly bring down the amount of emissions, in comparison to fossil fuel based energy sources. It has been recommended by the extant literature, on account of its avoidance of CO2 emissions. The countries belonging to the OECD have made it a matter of policy to diminish climate change. In order to comply with the targets set to them by the Kyoto Protocol, these countries have deemed the use of renewable energy sources as a viable alternative (del Río & Burguillo, June 2008). All new homes in England, from the year 2010, will be required to comply with the standards provided by Level 3 of the code for sustainable homes. This code pertains to constructions, and consists of performance levels in seven important areas. It emanates from the BREs Eco Homes system and constitutes an environmental assessment method. The BRE licensed assessors determine the carbon level of a construction project, by providing a rating that varies from 1 to 6. A code rating of 6 signifies zero carbon (Milne, 2009). This code stipulates the minimum standards for utilisation of energy and water, and makes it possible to gain more points for issues like the conscientious use of materials, and reducing wastage and pollution (Milne, 2009). This code inspired architects and house builders to build houses that comply with level 6 of the code, an important instance being the Kingspans Lighthouse prototype that was brought into public view, in 2007 (Milne, 2009). The majority of the recent zero-carbon development proposals made by the Government, disclose the fact that it has taken due cognisance of the cautionary advice provided by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). This Council represents the construction industry and a number of green non-governmental organizations. It has made it clear to the Government that 80 per cent of the new homes would be unable to comply with administration’s initial definition, until and unless off-site energy generation was permitted (Milne, 2009). In Surrey, the largest zero – carbon eco – village has been constructed, with 82 residential homes called the BedZED. The Peabody Trust and BioRegional jointly developed this project. However, it faces certain problems in maintaining its zero carbon status, because it consumes additional power and fuel for heat production. It also finds it difficult to use energy efficiently. The government defined a zero carbon home as a property with zero net emissions from all energy use in the home. It is committed to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide by 60% as at the end of the year 2050. The new homes to be built are to constitute a third of the total number of houses. However, there are several barriers for the establishment of zero carbon homes (Catto, January-February 2008, Pp 28-29). Proponents of environmental sustainability have contended that the government has to strictly enforce the measures contained in its Building a Greener Future programme, if the emission levels of Carbon Dioxide are to be contained. The success of this programme depends on the enforcement of these standards. The government has to strengthen the Local Authority Building Control Organisations. It has also to find ways to suppress conflicts arising due to competition between the Building Control Bodies (BCB) of the private and public sectors (Lowe & Oreszczyn, December 2008, P.4480). The BCBs must be vested authority to recruit, train and retain skilled personnel. In addition to this, they have to be provided with sufficient time to evaluate and regulate the performance of new buildings and homes. Building Control should be reorganised at the national level. There should be uniform terms and measures for the provision of funding. The Building Regulations Division has to be sufficiently funded and provided with adequate resources to ensure the implementation of the programme (Lowe & Oreszczyn, December 2008, P.4480). However, the government has failed in this aspect, as it has reduced funding and other resources. Nearly 27% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions are generated by its 21 million homes. However, some homeowners attempt to protect the environment by using energy conserving appliances. Their contribution has gained importance in the movement for zero carbon homes. The situation obtaining in the construction industry is very important, because more developers are undertaking steps to protect sustainability and to achieve zero carbon homes. Architects, housing developers and environmentalists are acting in concert to realise the vision of zero carbon homes (Catto, January-February 2008, Pp 28-29). List of References Catto, I. (January-February 2008, Pp 28-29). Carbon zero homes UK style. Renewable Energy Focus , Volume 9, Issue 1. del Río, P., & Burguillo, M. (June 2008). Assessing the impact of renewable energy deployment on local sustainability: Towards a theoretical framework . Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews , Vol. 12, Iss. 5, pp. 1325 – 1326 . Lowe, R., & Oreszczyn, T. (December 2008, P.4480). Regulatory standards and barriers to improved performance for housing. Energy Policy , Pages 4475-4481. Volume 36, Issue 12. Martinot, E. (July / August 2006). Renewable Energy Gains Momentum . Environment , Vol. 48, Iss. 6, pp. 29-33. Milne, R. (2009, April 10). What are the options for zero-carbon development? Retrieved August 17, 2009, from UtilityWeek: http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/features/uk/what-are-the-options-for-zero-.php Rajgor, G. (January-February 2007, P.60). Countdown to zero emissions. Refocus , Volume 8, Issue 1, Pages 60-61. 1471 0846/07 © 2007. Rosenthal, E. (2007, October 26). Cement Industry Is at Center of Climate Change Debate . Retrieved August 17, 2009, from The New York Times. World Business: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/business/worldbusiness/26cement.html?_r=2 Read More