Timetable for non-domestic zero carbon set for 2020

A report by the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) has found that a deadline of 2020 could be adopted to achieve zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

Carbon Reductions in New Non-Domestic Buildings, commissioned by Communities and Local Government, also suggests that the additional cost of building to zero carbon will be between 5 and 30% of current baseline costs.

The UK-GBC has advised the government that a national database on energy use on non-domestic buildings should be constructed to improve on existing data. It believes that the timeframe of zero carbon by 2020 is “challenging yet achievable” as long as a trajectory similar to that of the Code for Sustainable Homes is adopted.

UK-GBC chief executive Paul King said: “This is about government and industry both taking responsibility.

“Government needs to accept its responsibility to set good policy focusing on outcomes, and in return industry can and must respond and innovate. UK-GBC members are up for ambitious targets on sustainability.

“We need a policy direction that provides sufficient urgency and certainty for investment, and a trajectory that is ambitious and stretching – but ultimately achievable.

“To make progress on green building we should be bold in our target setting, and work together to overcome the challenges en route”.

Members who collaborated on the project include Laing O'Rourke, Lend Lease, Land Securities, Arup, BRE, Davis Langdon and Gardiner & Theobald.

The full report is available to view here.