A group of industry voices have called on the UK’s political parties to address embodied carbon in the built environment ahead of the general election.
Environment experts from Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), UK Green Building Council, The Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers, Construction Industry Council, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, UK Architects Declare, RIBA, RICS, Association for Consultancy and Engineering and Part Z have all joined forces to create the Policy Position Paper addressed to all political parties in the UK government.
They warn regulation is necessary because buildings and construction form a substantial part of UK carbon emissions. The group also believes UK policy has stalled and urgent action is needed.
The group are urging for the steps below:
- By 2026: Mandate the measurement and reporting of whole-life carbon emissions for all projects with a gross internal area of more than 1000m2 or that create more than 10 dwellings.
- By 2028: Introduce legal limits on the upfront embodied carbon emissions [those emissions due to the use of materials in the initial construction] of such projects, with a view to future revision and tightening as required.
Amanda Williams, head of environmental sustainability at CIOB, said: “There have been numerous industry initiatives over recent years, calling for government action to reduce the construction industry’s embodied carbon emissions.
“We now join forces as an expert group to pull these proposals together, uniting with one voice for change and asking the government to ensure the UK keeps pace with those who are currently leading this agenda.”
Louise Hutchins, head of policy for UKGBC, added: “With time running out to keep global temperatures to 1.5C, it’s astounding that one in 10 tonnes of UK climate emissions are still unregulated. From Europe to California, embodied carbon emissions are already regulated so we know it’s feasible. And we know from our members that industry is keen to play its part, but it needs the government to set a nationwide approach to drive action at scale and pace.”
