Barely a day goes by now without a policy announcement on sustainability. Although proposals for compulsory carbon emission targets in the forthcoming Climate Change Bill could give the carbon reduction lobby real teeth, it is the headline grabbing items – taxing 4 × 4s or the exemption of surplus domestically generated electricity from income tax – which dictate the tone of much of the sustainability debate.
Low and zero-carbon (LZC) technologies have received considerable attention, mostly focused on a few high-profile schemes in the commercial and public sectors. However, since all buildings must eventually reduce their carbon emissions, will small-scale renewables provide the most effective solution?
As a major energy consumer, the UK housing stock is challenging from many perspectives. First, a high-proportion are old and poorly-insulated, with low-efficiency heating and lighting. Second, consumption of energy in the home is increasing, as economic well-being results in the use of an ever-growing list of appliances and gadgets.
Third, the intensity of the UK’s occupation of housing is falling, and as small households produce a disproportionately high carbon emissions, this is likely to place greater strain on our ability to meet our EU and domestic carbon reduction commitments.
Without question, the optimum strategy for cutting carbon emissions is reducing the need for energy in the first place. Changing occupant behaviourand improving the thermal performance of buildings are the most effective ways of reducing emissions, particularly as, in the case of building fabric, once an improvement is made, savings are continually accrued.
However, as carbon reductions of greater than 50% are needed to meet long-term targets, renewable energy sources are important too. Since the expectation is that technology will provide the solutions to global warming and as people want to be seen to be green, it is not surprising that some low-carbon pioneers have opted for more readily installable and recognisable sustainability investments such as solar panels or wind turbines.
These have been the most potent visual and technical symbols of sustainable development. Recent government measures, such as the DTI’s Energy Saving Trust grant programme and the forthcoming Climate Change Bill, encourages investment in low-carbon fuels and technologies, and changes to make it easier for individuals to receive an income producing energy.
Rocketing demand for grant funding from the Energy Saving Trust illustrates the growing interest in LZC technologies.The DTI has allocated £12.5m thisfinancial year to stimulate interest in domestic LZC. March’s £500,000 allocation was taken up within an hour after the online application process opened.The wider availability of systems, such as B&Q’s wind turbines and solar collectors, are increasing awareness and take up.
But before we all rush off to invest in renewables we need to ask whether current technology is able to provide effective solutions? And in adopting the low-carbon technology route, are householders investing their limited sustainability resources wisely?
