UK's Eco-Building Challenge: Progress and Pathways Forward

2 Minute Read Time

The UK is trying hard to reduce its carbon emissions from buildings, but it's not enough yet. The UK Green Building Council says we need to do more to meet our goals. Right now, our efforts are like the pollution from 6.5 million cars. They suggest three big changes: more help from the government to make homes eco-friendly, better rules for new buildings, and laws that make sure our environment is a top priority[1].

The National Planning Policy Framework, a big plan for how we build things, didn't make the strong changes many hoped for. This was disappointing because many people think we need better plans to help the environment and fight climate change[2].

The RICS Sustainability Report tells us what professionals think about eco-friendly buildings. They say there's a growing interest in buildings that are good for the climate. But, the cost of making these changes is a big hurdle. Buildings play a big role in carbon emissions, so it's important to make them more eco-friendly[3].

The UK government has some plans to make buildings better for the environment. They want new homes and buildings to be ready for a future without carbon emissions. This means they wouldn't need any more work to stop emitting carbon once the electricity grid is fully eco-friendly. They're also thinking about how to make buildings that are changed into homes better. And they're supporting cleaner heating systems for buildings[4].

It's clear that the UK is trying to build a more sustainable future, but there are still challenges ahead. We need to act fast and make big changes to meet our environmental goals.

For more details, you can check out these sources:

[1] UKGBC's Warning on Net Zero Progress: The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has raised concerns that the construction sector is significantly off track in meeting net-zero targets. The detailed report can be accessed at Construction Management's website: UKGBC warns construction ‘significantly off track’ on net-zero targets​​.

[2] Critique of NPPF Update: A critique of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) update in England, focusing on its impact on housing delivery, is available on Pinsent Masons' website. The update has been criticized for not likely delivering a material increase in new housing: NPPF: impact of planning policy reforms on housing delivery questioned​​.

[3] RICS Sustainability Report 2023: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) publishes an annual Sustainability Report. The 2023 edition represents the sentiment of around 4,600 real estate and construction professionals from over 30 countries, providing a global benchmark for climate, carbon, and sustainability practices. The report can be found on RICS's website: RICS Sustainability Report 2023​​.

[4] The Future Homes and Buildings Standards Consultation: This consultation by the UK government focuses on changes to Part 6, Part L, and Part F of the Building Regulations for dwellings and non-domestic buildings. It seeks evidence on Part O and aims to improve the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of new homes and buildings. More details about this consultation are available on the UK government's official website: The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation​​.