Whole industry must go zero

Jun 11 2008 by Kevan Carrick for The Journal

WE’VE seen one of the UK’s major house builders, Barratt Homes, launch the ‘first zero carbon home’, followed by much debate in the property industry on what actually constitutes ‘zero carbon’.

And with new-home builders under pressure to deliver carbon neutral homes by the year 2016, British Property Federation chief Liz Pearce is among many calling for a more clear definition from the Government on zero carbon measurement.

Yet despite the ongoing debate, we have actually seen much success in the move towards carbon neutrality in the new-build sector – notably in the North East. Witness the two most recent sustainability category winners at the RICS Renaissance Awards – City Campus East at Northumbria University and the Rivergreen Centre in County Durham. But it’s not just new-build properties that require our attention. In fact, the essence of my argument is that improvements to existing buildings must become a priority. It’s our older properties, both residential and commercial, that really need attention. Carbon emissions from existing buildings currently contribute to around a fifth of the UK’s total carbon output. So what is the Government doing to widen its focus from new construction to existing buildings?

The All-Party Urban Development Group, the parliamentary body set up to progress urban renewal, is tackling this issue head on and will publish the results of a public inquiry next month.

Working with ministers, city leaders, property owners and occupiers, the group is examining ways of reducing the environmental impact of existing non-domestic buildings concentrated in city centres and business districts across the UK. Following the national lead, I think it is something which we should look to take on board at a regional level. We are without doubt witnessing behavioural changes – even if it’s as simple as an office recycle bin – but the physical changes aren’t so apparent. Industry leaders have called for the Government to consider tax concessions or other fiscal incentives, such as 0% VAT on sustainability improvement works, but so far to no avail.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has rejected these calls, claiming the Government is instead examining ways to make energy companies pay for such improvements.

The debate, I’m sure, will continue for some time to come but one thing is increasingly clear, the issue of zero carbon has moved from being one for just the housebuilding sector to being an energy problem facing the entire property industry.

By Kevan Carrick, of JK Property Consultants LLP, and policy spokesman for RICS North East