Energy efficiency remains the cheapest, cleanest and safest way of addressing the UK’s energy policy objectives.
(Government Energy White Paper 2003)

Background

Energy use in buildings accounts for nearly half of the UK’s delivered energy consumption and over half of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Government Energy policy now recognises the role that energy saving and renewable energy technologies will need to play in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and the UK’s dependence upon fossil fuels.

If such emissions are to be reduced progressively to meet rising target levels, it is crucial that new buildings meet more stringent energy standards as soon as possible.

The extended case studies show that it is feasible to design new developments with minimal or net zero carbon emissions, utilising high thermal mass, passive solar design, substantial insulation and renewables to combined effect.

Building Regulations (Part L) are the main influence on standards of energy performance and carbon dioxide emissions. They will be reviewed in 2005 to obtain further savings that will assist in implementing the EU Energy Directive

The Energy Hierarchy indicates the priorities for all developers, with attention to design and lifestyle at the outset, in order to reduce the need for energy.

Various methods of rating energy performance have been developed (and adopted) to assist in measuring the impact of buildings. A key challenge is to ensure that the existing building stock is raised to optimum levels of performance and efficiency; its impact on UK emissions will always outweigh gains achieved by new development.

Additionally, energy provision will, in the future, need to anticipate the effects of climate change.

It is good practice as much as technology that will deliver the best energy efficiency savings.

Forces for change

• Likely future increases in primary energy costs (especially gas and oil).
• The Government plans outlined in the Energy White Paper (Feb 2003) to curb greenhouse gas emissions (cutting carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2050) by saving energy (and introducing more renewables).
• The 2002 update of Building Regulations (Part L) will progressively raise energy performance standards; a further review has been prompted by the White Paper.
• Duty on Local Authorities to secure a significant improvement in domestic energy efficiency across all housing tenures. The current target is a 30% reduction on 1996 levels by 2010 (The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995).
• Higher energy performance targets for energy management (especially in newbuild) established by some organisations.
• Higher specifications for energy efficiency building materials prompted by the removal of VAT on those products, and the fiscal incentive of enhanced capital allowances.
• The legal requirement to display energy ratings on electrical appliances (EU Eco Label) and SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) ratings on new homes.
• EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to be implemented in UK by Jan 2006.