Buildings do not generate greenhouse gases, energy suppliers do. So says the controversial author James Woudhuysen in his interview with BSD this month. He contends that we should be tackling global warming at source, by sorting out the energy sector.

He is calling for the government and industry to invest in building a bigger and better decarbonised energy supply, rather than simply trying to change public behaviour.

Decarbonising the energy supply makes a lot of sense as far as the built environment is concerned because buildings, houses in particular, remain in use for decades or even centuries. Replacement rates are so low that, according to government predictions, by 2050 only 30% of building stock will postdate the 2002 overhaul of the energy regulations – and hence have been designed with any consideration to curbing energy consumption. With Britain’s shortage of electricity generation capacity carrying the threat power cuts, the suggestion of replacing ageing power stations with a clean, low carbon alternative would be a relatively quick fix to cutting emissions and ensuring security of supply.

Unfortunately, there is very little will to rethink the UK’s energy generation. The impetus certainly won’t come from the power supply companies; they’ve no desire to jeopardise profits for their shareholders by embracing technological innovation. And the paltry amount they invest in research on low carbon and renewable technologies relative to turnover makes it highly unlikely we’ll see any innovation in the near future.

But energy supply is only half the equation. The less energy buildings consume, the less is required. That is why we need initiatives such as zero carbon homes and the government’s “ambition” to make all non-domestic buildings zero carbon by 2019. It is also why the government’s proposed changes to Part L should be welcomed (see page 10). These changes will not only make new buildings more energy efficient and ensure they emit 25% less CO2, they will tackle some of the flaws and loopholes in the regulations. However, like most legislation, it is difficult to apply retrospectively, so its impact on existing stock will be minimal. That is why the government should give serious consideration to Woudhuysen’s suggestion that we focus on providing the right kind of energy supply.

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Building Sustainable Design