Green Buildings: The Road to Net Zero

24 Nov 2021

By Michelle Glancy, Marketing Assistant at DARe-me Consulting Engineers. 

With the COP26 summit having recently taken place in Glasgow, the climate crisis has gained global attention.

The Role of the Building and Construction Sector in Tackling Climate Change

The UK Government is committed to reaching targets of net zero carbon by 2050. Buildings are responsible for 40% of the UK's total carbon emissions, with the demand for raw materials further accelerating climate change. With the world's building stock projected to double by 2060, it is vital the construction industry makes a conscious effort to lower its carbon emissions.

World leaders recognise that changes must be made within the buildings and infrastructure industry to reach decarbonisation goals. A carbon neutral buildings sector would be pivotal in minimising the consequences of climate change.

The Drive for More Green Buildings

Recognising the importance of the built environment in both the causes and impacts of climate change, COP26's 'Build Better Now' virtual exhibition promotes 17 buildings across the globe that incorporate exceptional sustainable design. While these individual buildings rightly deserve praise, change needs to be implemented on a wide scale for real progress to be made.

An increasing number of businesses are readily recognising the need for green buildings. Not only do sustainable buildings have positive effects on the environment but they also provide businesses with significant other benefits. Through incorporating energy efficient features in buildings which draw on renewable energy and limit CO2 production, companies can achieve large savings.

The #BuildingToCOP26 Coalition has urged the building industry to half emissions by 2030 and advocates that all new buildings must be net-zero carbon in operation.

How to Make a Building More Sustainable

At DARe-me, we are advocates of Nudge Theory. We understand that all large-scale change has to start somewhere, and we believe that every positive change is a step in the right direction.

Prioritising energy efficiency is key to lowering the carbon footprint of buildings. This involves reducing the carbon generated by the energy used to light, cool, heat and operate a building. Incorporating energy efficient features within a building can have environmental, social and economic benefits for a company.

Some potential ways to 'green' your building and kickstart your journey to becoming carbon neutral include:

1. Heating - Air source heat pumps are an energy efficient heating system which absorb energy from the air and often have lower running costs than traditional heating systems.
2. Ventilation - Good natural ventilation is a sustainable way of infiltrating fresh air into your building.
3. Lighting - Utilising natural light in an effective way reduces the need for artificial lighting and saves energy.
4. Building Energy Modelling - Modelling a building for heat gain and thermal performance limits the production of carbon emissions.

While action is being taken, it is the pace of change which is most pivotal in tackling the climate crisis. To secure global net zero by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5˚C, the building sector must dramatically reduce its carbon emissions imminently.

Incorporating sustainable features will lower your building's carbon emissions and kickstart your journey to becoming carbon neutral. Contact DARe-me Consulting Engineers today to find ways to make your project more sustainable.