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TECHNOLOGYfocus Net zero targets - have we been sidetracked? How can building companies support net zero targets? Dan Allison, divisional director, Net Zero Buildings says that it time to act, and explains why it's so important for those who are building today to consider tomorrow to unlock sustainability challenges in the building sector With temperatures in the UK reaching an all-time high of 40.3°C in Lincolnshire on 18 July 2022, we're seeing the effects of the climate crisis first hand, which is highlighting the necessity to act - and act now. These increased temperatures can be seen as a direct impact of how much carbon is being released into the atmosphere as a result of our day-to-day lives. If nothing is to change then this won't be the last time we'll see weather this extreme, with experts predicting that heatwaves will soon become more frequent, intense and long-lasting. The unprecedented heatwave in the UK has unsurprisingly brought global warming to the front of our minds, as we've all started to consider - what can we do to help? THE UK'S SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS However, no one can say the UK has been ignoring the need for a sustainable future, with the government pledging net zero targets as a part of a 'Build Back Greener' campaign. The government's decarbonisation pathway includes various targets, most importantly the need to meet net zero by 2050. These targets include various aims specifically for the building sector, with an aim to reduce direct emissions from public sector buildings by 75% by 2037 in order to make low carbon buildings affordable and achievable for all. Although the government has claimed they're supporting the UK to reach a net zero future, they were recently required by the High Court to outline exactly how these targets would be met - due to claims that the strategy lacked clarity and explanations. In addition, the government has stated that it will provide the industry with grants to support construction's shift to net zero. However, it's critical that change happens sooner rather than later to ensure that buildings installed today will be suitable for years to come. A BUILDING PROBLEM The UK Green Building Council has established that 40% of the UK's total carbon footprint comes from the built environment. Although we might expect the majority of this footprint to result from the building's running costs, half of the carbon footprint of a building currently comes from the construction process - rather than its functional operation. This demonstrates a need for the industry to adjust its practices and processes in order to support the move towards a net zero future. The manufacture of the materials that go into a new building creates embodied carbon, which is the carbon emissions that occur during the building's manufacture. Therefore, it's clear that it's not enough for buildings to be carbonneutral during their lifetime, and it's time for manufacturing processes to change in order to support the UK as they attempt to reach net zero targets. 30 September/October 2022
TECHNOLOGYfocus OVERCOMING BARRIERS The construction industry has long been aware of the need to think sustainably, but we could lead the way in achieving net zero. These are the barriers to be overcome: 1. Current processes Current manufacturing processes need to modernise and reduce their carbon footprints, faster. Everything - every product, every process in every part of the construction supply chain - needs to be carbon-rated. As the old saying goes, 'what gets measured, gets done'. A consistent rating system focuses minds, such as shown with the energy efficiency rating of electrical appliances. The government has committed to doing its bit to support this by supporting new methods to lower lifecycle emissions. However, this is an expensive process and suppliers need that government support. 2. Delaying carbon efficiency Too often, when planning a building, some believe net zero targets aren't an issue, as the date to hit net zero targets feels too distant. Although targets may seem a long way away, we need to act now to ensure that our buildings - which we hope will last until well past 2050 - are able to meet the net zero targets. MAKING A DIFFERENCE It's all about making a difference, and making that difference now - which is why it isn't enough to wait for the government to support the sector or to step back from our responsibility. It's about constantly challenging our carbon impact to ensure the spaces we're creating are as sustainable as possible. That's why we should be changing the way we design buildings and the processes that create them, to maximise their overall carbon efficiency. This could include low carbon design features, such as green roofs or walls, to sequester carbon dioxide as well as improving overall insulation and absorbing excess rainwater during the building's lifecycle. It's time for the industry to acknowledge that climate change is here and that it has to be addressed now. However, changing the lifecycle of a building isn't enough, if the processes that underpin its manufacture don't use sustainable methods to ensure that the building has minimal embodied carbon. LEAN AND GREEN PROCESSES With 400 million tonnes of materials being used by the UK construction industry every year, it's more important than ever to prioritise processes that minimise waste, within manufacturing systems that minimise energy and material waste. Lean manufacturing a building dramatically cuts the total waste generated in its construction (including its installation). Manufacturing a building offsite radically reduces its carbon footprint when compared with traditional bricks and mortar methods, and handily maximises the industry's productivity in the process. Lean manufacturing defines waste as anything that customers don't believe adds value and aren't willing to pay for. Lean is all about examining every process to improve your product quality and efficiency, whilst boosting sustainability. That means lean is your dream solution - a way for you to satisfy your customers and reduce costs as you support net zero targets. To support lean and green processes, offsite construction has been independently recognised by the UK Green Building Council as playing a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of the UK's development sector. Manufacturing buildings offsite is the way to bring about a step change in construction: not just sustainability but also reduced waste, easier maintenance, tighter programmes and quality control. With processes that are designed to be streamlined and efficient, the amount of waste that goes to landfill is massively reduced and energy use is much easier to control and reduce in the factory setting. Modular buildings are also designed to be reused and recycled rather than demolished, hugely reducing the amount of energy that's necessary to construct a new building in the future. NET ZERO BUILDINGS If you want to join our challenge to the construction industry to create sustainable spaces to support a better tomorrow for generations to come, today visit www.netzerobuildings.co.uk or get in touch on: 01638 596 155. September/October 2022 31
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CU Sep-Oct 2023

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