Strategies for Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Built Environment
In a bid to meet global climate targets, governments worldwide are encouraging banks to 'green' their loan portfolios through regulations, policies, and incentives. This shift in focus is particularly urgent for the built world, which contributes more than a third (37%) of the 50 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases released each year [1].
Decarbonising the built world is crucial, and electrification of industrial processes, such as through industrial heat pumps and electrical heating solutions, could target industrial energy consumption at lower temperatures. However, the energy transition faces challenges, including powering up the grid to reliably and sustainably access the renewable energy we generate [2].
One of the most pressing priorities for decarbonizing the built environment, specifically in relation to home heating, is accelerating the installation of low-carbon heating systems like heat pumps. The UK, for instance, set a target of installing 600,000 heat pumps per year over the next four years, but only managed to install 55,000 in 2022 [3].
The National Audit Office (NAO) has outlined several priorities for decarbonising home heating, including ensuring sufficient and flexible government funding and policy support, maintaining rigorous compliance and audit processes, focusing on equity and consumer protection, promoting electrification and retrofit readiness, and embedding market transformation measures [4].
The energy transition is also creating a global, industry-wide labor and skills shortage, with an urgent need for upskilling in various construction sectors. To address this, deep collaboration between tech companies, construction firms, and investors is needed to introduce tools that materially shift the dial in the built world sector [5].
Moreover, industrial heat generation contributes significantly to carbon emissions and needs to be addressed. Companies like Kraftblock are developing emerging thermal storage solutions that utilize green energy for higher temperature applications [6].
The world's carbon dioxide emissions from energy rose again in 2023, underscoring the need for long-term changes, that cut across political parties, to accelerate change and maximize the value of public and private investment in decarbonising the built world [7].
Decarbonising the built world can have substantial societal impacts, including making energy-efficient housing more accessible and affordable for low-income communities. Leaning on technology, such as retrofitting buildings, promoting smart meter usage, and expanding access to renewable energy, can lead to significant societal gains [8].
AI and automation have a huge opportunity to solve many of the problems facing the built world sector. For instance, they can streamline the process of retrofitting buildings, ensuring they meet higher energy performance certification (EPC) standards [9].
In conclusion, while the path to a decarbonised built world is fraught with challenges, the potential benefits for society and the environment are immense. By prioritising the right strategies, leveraging technology, and fostering collaboration, we can build a sustainable future for generations to come.
References: [1] The Guardian [2] Carbon Brief [3] Government's Heat and Buildings Strategy [4] National Audit Office [5] Construction News [6] Kraftblock [7] International Energy Agency [8] European Commission [9] Energy Saving Trust
- To combat global climate change, policy-makers worldwide are urging financial institutions to 'green' their loan portfolios, specifically targeting the housing sector as part of placemaking strategies.
- The development of low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps, is crucial for the decarbonization of the built environment, particularly in relation to home heating.
- The energy transition in the built world necessitates advancements in science, technology, and environmental-science, including the design of thermal storage solutions for industrial heat generation and the application of AI and automation for retrofitting buildings.
- The business community has a significant role to play in addressing climate-change, with major companies like Kraftblock leading the way in creating innovative solutions for reducing carbon emissions in the built world.
- Access to affordable and energy-efficient housing can have profound impacts on lifestyle and society, making it essential to prioritize these issues in general-news coverage and public policy discussions.
