Carbon Action 2050 how simple it can be

Alan Crane CBE, President, Chartered Institute of Building

The Chartered Institute of Building: Our Public Benefit Mission

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has around 47,000 members and has been the professional home of construction management, representing a wide range of construction professionals from the UK and across the world.

The Carbon Challenge How serious are we?

Reducing carbon is a matter of legal obligation in the UK (Climate Change Act 2008) BUT Few businesses have an accurate understanding of the sheer scale of the undertaking ahead; and there is a level of disbelief about whether or when the difficult decisions that will lead to the necessary changes in customer behaviour will be made. (Paul Morrell, UK Government Construction Adviser) It is an opportunity for the UK construction industry to demonstrate leadership, work collaboratively and take the initiative. It is a significant business opportunity for companies that can innovate and adapt. UK has the tools, the technology, the resources and the knowledge and should stand ready to play our part in the carbon reduction challenge.

The Carbon Challenge Are we really serious?

Are UK Government taking the tough decisions?
UK Governments Carbon Plan: Prime Minister pledged in March 2011 to roll out Display Energy Certificates, which rate a buildings actual energy use and carbon emissions, to the private sector by the end of 2012.

Chancellor of the Exchequer blocked these plans despite mass business lobbying in their favour, including the private sector!

The Carbon Challenge Serious, really serious?

UK Government plans for zero carbon homes in 2016 were watered down in the Budget earlier this year Now a zero carbon home is not going to be what was originally envisaged by UK Government! If the UK is to have any chance of meeting our carbon reduction commitments, never mind our needs, then we need to get serious about investment and regulation.

CIOB Carbon Action 2050 is very serious!

The CIOB has established a major new initiative, Carbon Action 2050, to help the industry to drive the change required for the industry to meet its regulatory targets.

 We have developed simple, practical solutions for our members and the wider industry on how to meet UK government reduction targets in the short and medium term. We do not intend to re-invent the wheel, or replicate the work of previous initiatives; but to make a difference on the ground, now, by changing industry practices and behaviour. We would be happy to hear from you if you feel you can help.

CIOB Carbon Action 2050 is very serious!

We know that our members and the wider industry will respond to the challenges that lie ahead, and that the practical information contained within this action plan will help them do just that. CarbonAction2050.com, just like the low carbon agenda, will not remain static; it is an evolving and constantly-reviewed resource that provides guidance to achieving regulatory targets. Importantly, the CIOB wants to demonstrate our own commitment and progress towards reducing carbon emissions from our business operations and to ensure sustainability is at the centre of everything we do.

CIOB Carbon Action 2050 so how does it work?

An action plan made up of 50 simple actions across new build, retrofit, refurbishment , leadership, facilities management, and many more facets of the built environment that industry, government , professional bodies etc. can do NOW. Simple actions, but huge amounts of information can be found from digging deeper into the site there are research papers, case studies, industry reports, government legislation and links to other relevant websites. All actions have a standardised metric so people can measure their impact.

So how does it work?

So how does it work?

Resource Hub

Best practice case studies

CIOB Carbon Action 2050 an ongoing initiative

We encourage others, both individuals and organisations, to get involved in Carbon Action 2050 and provide further content reports, papers, case studies and new information we have already collaborated with contractors BAM Construct, Morgan Sindall, and more besides. CA2050 brings together all current knowledge on carbon reduction, puts it in a simple form, and shows how it can be measured.

CIOB Carbon Action 2050 greening the UK historic environment

UK Heritage has certainly not been forgotten - we know the potential harm low carbon technologies can have on the historic environment and archaeological resource if not utilised correctly. Indeed, CIOB is working with a number of organisations to improve understanding of traditional buildings, their impact on the environment and society, and deliver skills suitable to greening the historic environment.

What Next?