2.
The Value(s) encourage a better solution…
The Built Environment is responsible for about 39% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making it a major contributor to climate change ¹ . This isn’t just due to the operational carbon emissions from heating and cooling poorly insulated buildings, but also from the embodied carbon - the emissions generated during the extraction and production of construction materials. To put it in perspective, if cement were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of CO2e in the world ² , while steel would rank fifth ³ . The construction industry’s impact goes beyond carbon emissions. It significantly contributes to biodiversity loss, excessive water usage and the depletion of natural resources, pushing our planet closer to its limits and risking the onset of tipping points and irreversible environmental damage. While construction is currently a major part of the problem, there is immense potential for change. Construction companies, designers and professionals have the power to shift the paradigm and become part of the solution. We can start making a difference today by transitioning from harmful, exploitative practices to more sustainable development. This could involve adopting a triple-bottom- line approach, embracing a more balanced and inclusive agenda aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or even committing to B Corp standards. The choice to drive positive change is in our hands. This approach can also lead to commercial advantages, as genuinely sustainable buildings tend to attract higher asset values, lower energy costs, and enhanced brand reputation.
Agreement ⁴ . While there is a clear pathway ⁵ for the UK Built Environment to reduce emissions, sticking to the status quo will lead to disaster. Environmental activist Greta Thunberg ⁶ once said, “We already have all the facts and solutions, all we need to do is wake up and change.” For professionals in the built environment, the time to act on Net Zero is now. This means going beyond signing declarations and publishing roadmaps - it’s about showcasing the true value of sustainable construction by quantifying the positive, tangible impacts these measures can have. As Mina Hasman states in the RIBA Climate Guide, “There is an unyielding expectation that the decisions we take within the sector today must bear fruit for long-term resilience, and must provide a balance between the physical, man-made and natural environment, as well as humankind.” Achieving holistic, sustainable outcomes requires climate literacy and immediate action. For too long, the Built Environment has been a major contributor to the climate crisis. It’s time to embrace this reality and shift towards becoming part of the solution. This means adding real value, creating a purpose that will inspire future generations and empowering future leaders to build better, more inclusive communities. By adopting modern methods of construction (MMC) and digital innovations, the industry can move closer to true sustainability - but we don’t have to wait for tomorrow; we can start today. This report highlights the dedicated and unwavering commitment of Saul D Humphrey LLP to advancing sustainable construction.
Achieving this isn’t difficult. At Saul D Humphrey LLP, we are dedicated to promoting more sustainable construction practices, and we’re not alone - many others are embracing this agenda. While these efforts are commendable, the focus of this report is to show that real progress can be achieved by aligning sustainable construction with traditional financial metrics, proving that value can be derived from both.
UK Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap: 2023 Progress Report
FIGURE 1: HISTORIC BUILT ENVIRONMENT EMISSIONS (1990-2022) Excluding Transport, with Business as Usual Projections Overlaid onto the 2021 UKGBC Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap Data.
350
Buildings (Non-domestic Embodied Carbon) Total Emissions: Historic (2023 Update)
Buildings (Domestic Embodied Carbon) Infrastructure (Infastructure: Embodied Carbon) Total Emissions: Business As Usual Projections (2023 Update)
300
Infrastructure (Operational Carbon)
Original Roadmap Baseline Year
Buildings (F-gas)
250
UK built environment emissions reduced 13% since 2018, falling short of the 19% reduction needed
Buildings (Non-domestic Operational Carbon) Buildings (Domestic Operational Carbon)
200
According to the Roadmap, total emissions needed to fall 19% by 2022 over the 2018 baseline. In reality, they fell just 13%, translating to an 11 MtCO 2 e shortfall. The total emissions reported for 2022 are higher than the Roadmap model predicted, predominantly reflecting the changes to the embodied carbon data summarised in the next paragraph. Nonetheless, emissions reduced over the period between 2018-2022, with Covid-19 showing a clear impact. Historic emissions have increased due to updates to international greenhouse gas emissions data Embodied carbon between 1990 and 2018 carbon has increased relative to the Roadmap, to 67MtCO 2 e in the original baseline year. This is due to revisions to sectoral emissions data for other countries, where the largest adjustments occurred in material and energy producing sectors (e.g., Chinese manufacture of basic iron and steel). This was primarily caused by changes in emissions from materials extraction, manufacturing, and production, with much of the remaining difference indirectly attributable to overseas material production. Committed policies still do not take us close to delivering decarbonisation fast enough to achieve net zero The Roadmap used the BEIS Energy and Emissions Projections (EEP) to create a business-as-usual scenario reflecting committed national government policies. The model was updated with the latest projection data which shows that, without further policy intervention, future annual emissions are likely to plateau around 130 MtCO 2 e, well shy of the <25MtCO 2 e the Roadmap projects is needed after 2040. Note, the EEP does not extend beyond 2040.
150
100
50
0
2018 to 2022
FIGURE 2: REQUIRED EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
FIGURE 3: ACTUAL EMISSIONS
-4% Historic (1990-2018) Built Environment emissions (excluding transport), with business-as-usual projections applied (BEIS EEP to 2040, with trendline extended to 2050), as referenced in the Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap: A Pathway for the UK Built Environment. UK Green Building Council, 2021, London, UK 2020 2021 2022 0% -5% -5% 2019 2019 2020 TOTAL TOTAL 0% -5% As defined by the 2021 UKGBC Whole Life Carbon Roadmap
2021
-2%
1- 0%
-10%
-9% +6%
-13%
-7%
1- 5%
-15%
2022
Simply put, inaction in the face of the looming climate catastrophe isn’t an option. The Built Environment sector is responsible for approximately 39% of all carbon emissions. If it continues to operate as it has in the past, it will alone cause a temperature rise of 3%, doubling the targets set by the Paris -20% -9% -2% -19% 2- 0%
4 – UK Green Building’s Council - Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap Progress Report
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