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Sustainability
Extra
NEWS
Department of Energy and Climate Change
The new Department of Energy and Climate Change was created on 3 October 2008. Secretary
of State, Ed Miliband, has committed the UK to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% on
1990 levels by 2050. In a wide-ranging Commons statement, Mr Miliband:
backed the recommendations of Lord Turner's Climate Change Committee and said the
Government would make the 80% reduction target binding in law by amending the Climate
Change Bill currently going through Parliament.
said that he plans to introduce a 'feed-in tariff' to support microgeneration and to make a
further announcement soon on encouraging renewable heat. The use of feed-in tariffs in other
countries, Germany in particular, has led to acceleration in the uptake of microgeneration.
Ed Miliband
Enhanced details
The Energy Saving Trust’s Enhanced Construction Details (ECDs) focus on the issue of
heat losses that occur at the junctions between building elements and around openings.
Designed to help the construction industry achieve performance standards that exceed
those set out in Building Regulations, they help developers and builders to meet the energy
requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Developed in association with an industry working group, these details improve on the
performance delivered by the standard Accredited Construction Details (ACDs) and allow
designers and builders to use a reduced thermal bridging y-value in SAP of 0.04 W/m 2 k.
Enhanced construction
details report
Further information is available in the Building Professionals section of the EST website at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/housing
New CLG research on costs and
benefits of zero carbon
‘Research to Assess the Costs and Benefits of the Government’s Proposals to Reduce the
Carbon Footprint of New Housing Development’ was published by CLG in September.
Commissioned from Cyril Sweet, Faber Maunsell and Europe Economics, it supports the
Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Building a Greener Future: Policy Statement published
in July 2007.
The report is an analysis of the costs and benefits of the proposed policy options for progressively
enhancing Building Regulations (by 25% in 2010, 44% in 2013 and zero carbon from 2016).
Zero carbon
research report
The report can be downloaded at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/housingcarbonfootprint
Review of the Code for Sustainable Homes
The latest amendments to the technical guide to the Code came into effect on 3 November
2008. The changes are generally minor in nature and correct or clarify the previous guidance.
A review of the Code has recently commenced. Led by consultants, Faber Maunsell, the review
will gather opinion on how the Code should evolve and NHBC will provide input to one or
more of the review workshops. Topics specifically under scrutiny include energy (in the light
of expected changes to Part L), the water calculator, ‘Lifetime Homes’ and adaptation to the
effects of climate change.
HB2450 12/08