Can commercial buildings shift from Carbon Conundrum to Carbon Control?

by • Company news, Environment, Facilities management

A white paper challenging the building sector to consider what is really impeding the move to greater carbon control has been launched at an event in London by Artus. The heating and cooling experts have produced  From carbon conundrum to carbon control – how will the building sector get to net zero? to amplify the debate on whole-life carbon, design and the industry’s ability to move forward together to find solutions.

The paper was developed through contributions from leading sustainability experts across the UK,  with a recognition that many issues facing the sector have never been more urgent. The model presented in the white paper has been founded on sustainability principles with what the authors says is ‘an ambition to bring positive, realistic, disruption to the heating and cooling market as part of the overall design and operational mix in the built environment’.

The paper was launched at a live interactive panel event last week at the Charlotte Street offices of ARUP (pictured).

Demands on the building sector have never been higher:  legislation, regulation and environmental responsibility with increased urgency over net zero are creating unprecedented pressure. At the other end of the value chain investors and occupiers are demanding demonstrable results on whole-life carbon emissions, better environments in which to work and proven ESG credentials. This is all against a backdrop of constrained costs, need for improved solutions, and more comprehensive and clearer carbon measurement.

Roger Olsen, Chief Technical Officer and Inventor of Artus comments: “Last year was the hottest since records began, only just below the target 1.5 degree rise. The time to act is now. A building services design typically lasts 20 to 25 years. We only have 26 years left till 2050.  Everything we do right now, both new build and refurbishment, must target net zero. LETI and many others have set the strategy.”

The panel at the event comprised leading voices from the built environment sector:

  • Danny Hall, Head of Engineering at The Crown Estate
  • Chris Twinn, Principal of Twin Sustainability Innovation
  • Mike Edwards, Director, Arup
  • Marie-Louise Schembri, Head of Sustainability and  Design Director, Hilson Moran
  • Alia Hashem, Senior FM & Projects & Mobilisation Lead, Derwent London