RICS calls on government to close gaps in building decarbonisation

Mandated measurement of embodied carbon, maximum limits, changes to the EPC scheme to make it fit for purpose, plus the establishment of a fund to enable retrofit projects, are among recommendations put forward by the RICS to the government. The RICS has outlined a series of measures it wants from the UK government to help the real estate industry meet its targets on meeting net zero carbon goals. The industry body wants to see improvements to the EPC scheme to make it more relevant to decarbonisation goals – changing the way it is calculated, presented and used – and sub-sector and asset-level targets set across the built environment. The RICS believes current metrics mandating building performance do not easily translate into total carbon output and these gaps make it “challenging” to track the carbon output of buildings and whether retrofits are achieving their stated reductions. Alongside new targets and an improved EPC scheme, the RICS is calling on government to establish a national programme to fund retrofit projects and for development of the NABERS scheme, which measures energy in use, to be accelerated. It also wants to see embodied carbon requirements added to building regulations, with lifetime carbon outputs of buildings measured, the requirement to assess embodied carbon at both the design and completion stage mandated, and maximum limits on embodied carbon introduced. Fabrizio Varriale, place and space analyst at the RICS, said: “Crucial changes need to be made in the way that carbon output is tracked in the UK’s built environment. This is an opportunity to radically shake up the sector and place it at the forefront of the UK’s carbon reduction initiatives by advancing a scientifically-focused and data-driven sector that swiftly reacts and implements the changes needed to meet carbon output goals.” To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews Photo © EG