Westminster carbon counting conference, ICE, 24 January 2008

JOINING THINGS UP FOR BUILDINGS

Bill Bordass

the Usable Buildings Trustwww.usablebuildings.co.uk

“in theory, theory and practice are the same, in

practice they aren’t”

SANTA FE INSTITUTE for research into complex systems

We need to save real carbon, not virtual carbon

“designers seldom get feedback, and only notice problems when asked to

investigate a failure”

ALASTAIR BLYTH CRISP Commission

00/02

The Credibility Gapfor a green building award winner

What needs joining up?Apart from carbon factors, of course!

• Policy with practice • Supply with demand• Expectations with outcomes• Energy with carbon with environment• Landlords with managers with tenants• Technology with users and management• Top-down (targets) with bottom-up (activities)• Organisations with people• Government departments and agencies

More clarity, fewer incompatible initiatives

Don’t procure what you can’t manage (Unfortunately, regulations are

making things more complicated: will they work well in use?)

How fast can we improve, if we have been blind to outcomes?

Saving energy and CO2 in a hurry, using the multiplier effect

Reduced demands standards, passive measuresx 0.5?Increased efficiency better technology, lower resistancesx 0.5?Waste avoidance better control, management, behaviour?Less 20%? (it could easily be more) Low-carbon energy supplies on and off-site

Halve the carbon content of the supplies?

Saving energy and CO2 in a hurry, using the multiplier effect

Reduced demands standards, passive measuresx 0.5? 50 %Increased efficiency better technology, lower resistancesx 0.5? 25 %Waste avoidance better control, management, behaviour?Less 20%? (it could easily be more) 20 %Low-carbon energy supplies on and off-siteHalve the carbon content of the supplies? 10%

To get rapid and cost-effective change,we must press ALL the buttons

NOT, for example relying on a business-as-usual fix with renewables: they won’t work alone!

Use renewable supplies AND make buildings efficient in use

Performance IndicatorsIt’s not just about carbon!

• Is the building thermally efficient in use?• Is the building electrically efficient in use?• Do any special features need considering?• What is the effect of on-site renewables?

The energy that is used but not imported.• What energy supplies are imported?• What is the carbon content of these supplies?

<< This is the main carbon contact point >>• Is there any reason for using special C factors?• Are any further C-saving measures undertaken?

Making Performance Visible with building energy certificates

Ambitions of Europrosperresearch project 2000-04:

Display energy certs based on actual energy use. Achieved

• Transparency between expectations and outcomes. Incomplete

• Multiple performance indicators Incomplete

• We now need voluntary supporting measures

Passing on the carbon

Passing on the carbonand the energy

Annual energy and CO2 emissions statements?

• Gas and electricity, perhaps even on each bill. Obstructed, but should be coming.

• District heating and cooling.Potentially could do similar.

• Lorry deliveries (coal, wood, biofuels, oil, LPG)More difficult because of multiple suppliers.

• From landlord to tenant.Prototype already produced for offices.

Passing on the carbonBPF Landlord’s statment

Passing on carbon + energyBPF Landlord’s statement

• Improves transparency• Includes multiple performance indicators• Allows individual tenants to add the energy they

purchase directly and prepare Display Energy Certificates on same basis as whole buildings.

• Avoids double handling if it allows the transfer of carbon from landlord to tenant for the purpose of the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

• Interest being shown by other sectors (business centres, retail, industrial

Passing on carbon + energy BPF Landlord’s statement

Drilling down furtherto assign realistic priorities

Drilling down even further:actual versus predicted for lighting

Avoiding unintended consequences

• Focus on supply, maintains business-as-usual illusion.• “Low-carbon” fuels become the easiest solution. Waste

precious resources and do not tackle underlying demand. • Dash to biomass. Massive ecological damage potential. • Pushing unproven solutions. Danger of tripping over.• Creating complicated solutions. People won’t cope.• Creating expensive solutions. We need the quick wins.• Requiring too much maintenance. It won’t be affordable.• Too much bureaucracy, multiple layers and confusing

differences. Focus resources on getting things done.• Not involving individuals. Everybody has to help.• We trade too early. Charity begins at home!