Climate change

Global climate change, the result of ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions, has become an ever more pressing concern for the planet over the last two decades. Carbon Dioxide (CO2), which is emitted from all fossil fuels when they are burned, is one of the main contributors and the fingers point mainly at emissions from heating, lighting and cooling buildings. In Northern Europe, approximately half of all CO2 emissions come about that way.

Following the Kyoto Protocol, there is global pressure to reduce building energy requirements and hence their associated CO2 outputs. The UK Government has stated significant long-term CO2 reduction targets. Here advice is offered so building designers can begin to hit those targets and contribute to a cleaner planet.

Reducing operational carbon emissions from buildings is imperative in the drive to combat global warming. The European Union Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD, 2002/91/EC), published in 2002, aims to promote building energy efficiency across the whole EU, and requires energy performance to be calculated to a national standard.

In response, the 2006 revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Power) in England and Wales is projected to save over 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2010 and incorporates a new National Calculation Methodology for nondomestic buildings.

Enhanced thermal performance of the building envelope, both in terms of improved insulation and airtight construction, plays a key role in minimising energy use for heating and cooling and hence in reducing carbon emissions.