“Built to Last” Sustainability in Building

1. “Built to Last”Sustainability in Building Duncan McLaren Chief Executive Presentation to European Builders Confederation Annual Congress, October 2006, Edinburgh

2. Overview of presentation • The climate imperative • Zero-carbon buildings • Profiting from sustainability • Certification and standards • Conclusions

3. Climate change is the overriding challenge …

4. Climate change is the overriding challenge … …new zero-carbon buildings are needed now • The next 10-15 years are critical to keep the world’s climatic systems from potential meltdown - within that period greenhouse gas emissions must pass their peak globally • To take only a fair ‘carbon budget’ in the UK (and Europe) emissions must fall by at least 3% a year and by around 70% in the next 30 years. • Buildings constructed now will be in use throughout that period, whilst much of the building stock of 2040 is already in place • Today’s new buildings must be carbon neutral The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

5. Energy efficiency is critical …

6. Energy efficiency is critical … about 40% of carbon emissions come from energy used in buildings • The 40% house scenario shows how the UK could cut emissions from housing by 60% by 2050 • To reduce energy demand, and cut fuel poverty it combines: • Tough new-build energy standards, and well-designed new homes • Accelerated renewal of the housing stock • Refurbishment of the remaining stock • This could deliver a 36% reduction in energy demand, despite a 33% increase in household numbers. The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

7. Renewable energy generation can turn homes into net power sources …

8. Renewable energy generation can turn homes into net power sources … exporting electricity to the grid • The same UK scenario suggests microgeneration could deliver 100% of electricity and 80% of heat by 2050 • 3/4 of all homes will have community combined heat and power (CHP), micro CHP, biomass boilers or heat pumps for heating • 2/3 of all homes will have solar water heating • 1/3 of all homes will have photovoltaics • Micro-wind turbines could appear on more than 5% of all homes The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

9. Materials matter too …

10. Materials matter too … … to cut embodied energy and manage carbon • Cement production accounts for over 5% of all carbon dioxide emissions • Timber production can be carbon neutral • Using timber in buildings creates a ‘store’ of carbon • Local or waste materials such as rammed earth or straw bales can also be highly carbon-efficient • Long-life, durable buildings ‘spread’ the environmental impact of materials, whilst toxic materials should be avoided The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

11. Buildings have to be in the right places …

12. Buildings have to be in the right places … … with integrated transport and planning policies • Transport accounts for almost 30% of climate changing emissions, and is the fastest growing sector, especially air travel • Urban sprawl - or ‘californication’ - is increasing journey lengths and increasing car use • Compact cities are best for walking, cycling and public transport The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

13. Profiting from sustainability …

14. Profiting from sustainability … … what could be more natural? • More demolition and more construction to replace the worst buildings means more opportunities • Higher densities - good for energy and transport efficiency - mean lower unit costs where land prices are high • Sustainable buildings generally involve higher costs. But they can command higher values - not least from lower running costs • The public will pay more for sustainable buildings - but to capture that needs certification - such as ‘LEED’ or ‘eco-homes’ • Regulation and enforcement - such as EPBD labelling - is needed to establish market opportunities The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

15. Sustainable building requires standards and certification …

16. Sustainable building requires standards and certification … which the EBC can help deliver • Certification helps create new markets - the EBC should be helping develop trusted labelling and certification schemes • Regulation stops the cowboys undercutting responsible businesses - the EBC should be supporting regulation for sustainability And in addition the EBC should • Help its members learn the necessary skills to deliver certified sustainable buildings • Build wider alliances to ensure sustainable materials and sites are available The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

17. Built to Last …

18. Built to Last … … a challenge • Sustainable buildings need sustainable design, sustainable certification and sustainable regulation • Sustainable buildings are quality buildings with low energy requirements • Sustainable buildings are healthy buildings, avoiding toxic materials and offering control to their occupants • Sustainable buildings are built to last - with the next generation in mind - will EBC members be building to last? The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions