Sustainability of the built environment
Environmental Audit Committee
Closed
Inquiry
This inquiry will examine the sustainability of the built environment. It will look at the best routes to net zero for our future building needs from low carbon materials through to policies to minimise the whole life carbon impact of new buildings. Read the call for evidence for more detail …
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29
Recommendations
19
Conclusions
1
Report
4
Oral sessions
2
Letters
4
Events
Activity timeline 12 events
27 Oct
2022
2022
30 Sep
2022
2022
30 Sep
2022
2022
26 May
2022
2022
Report published
19 Jan
2022
2022
Oral evidence
19 Jan
2022
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
17 Nov
2021
2021
Oral evidence
17 Nov
2021
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
20 Oct
2021
2021
Oral evidence
20 Oct
2021
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
14 Jul
2021
2021
Oral evidence
14 Jul
2021
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
19 Jan 2022
View on parliament.uk
Adam Mactavish · Currie & Brown
Alexia Laird · Landsec
Catherine Adams · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Damitha Adikaari · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Eddie Hughes · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
The Lord Callanan · Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
17 Nov 2021
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Dr Joe Jack Williams · Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Elaine Toogood · MPA The Concrete Centre
Louisa Bowles · LETI (London Energy Transformation Initiative)
Michael H. Ramage · Centre for Natural Material Innovation, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge
Rhian Williams · Greater London Authority
Sam Liptrott · OFR Consultants, Fire and Risk Consultants
Will Arnold · The Institution of Structural Engineers
20 Oct 2021
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Caterina Brandmayr · Green Alliance
Dr Alice Moncaster · The Open University
Dr Alice Owen · University of Leeds
Dr Jannik Giesekam · University of Strathclyde
Peter Conboy · igloo Regeneration Ltd
Robert Lambe · Chartered Institute of Building
14 Jul 2021
View on parliament.uk
Panel 1; Panel 2
Dr Danielle Densley Tingley · The University of Sheffield
Dr Tia Kansara · Kansara Hackney Ltd
Emily Huynh · UK Green Building Council
Jane Anderson · The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP)
Ms Phoebe MacDonald · Royal Institute of British Architects
The Rt Hon. the Lord Deben · Climate Change Committee
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First report - Building to net zero: costing carbon in construct… | HC 103 | 26 May 2022 | 48 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
7
Recommendation
Deferred
First report - Building to net zer…
We recommend that the Government introduce, not later than December 2023, regulations to mandate whole-life...
We recommend that the Government introduce, not later than December 2023, regulations to mandate whole-life carbon assessments for buildings above a gross internal area of 1000m2, or which create more than 10 dwellings. This requirement should be established in Building …
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Government Response
The government intends to consult in 2023 on mainstreaming the measurement and reduction of embodied carbon, considering various levers including building regulations, and will carry out research and analysis to understand the impacts of potential interventions, with a focus on SMEs.
10
Recommendation
Deferred
First report - Building to net zer…
We recommend that a clear timeframe for the introduction of mandatory whole-life carbon assessments and...
We recommend that a clear timeframe for the introduction of mandatory whole-life carbon assessments and ratcheting targets should be set by Government by the end of this year.
Government Response
The government plans to consult on their approach to embodied carbon in 2023, and further information about this will be provided in due course.
29
Recommendation
Deferred
First report - Building to net zer…
The Government should conduct a cost-benefit analysis of whether to provide advice or financial support...
The Government should conduct a cost-benefit analysis of whether to provide advice or financial support to smaller manufacturers to enable them to produce EPDs for their materials.
Government Response
The government is exploring options to reduce the burden of emissions reporting, especially for SMEs, and preparing to consult on domestic measures by the end of 2022.
30
Conclusion
Deferred
First report - Building to net zer…
There is availability of low-carbon and recycled building products to meet current demand, however there...
There is availability of low-carbon and recycled building products to meet current demand, however there are insufficient incentives for product manufacturers to develop new low-carbon materials and for developers and designers to use these products. The Government has invested in …
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Government Response
The government intends to consult on interventions to mainstream the measurement of embodied carbon in the built environment in 2023, noting that WLCAs can only be successfully implemented as part of a broader effort to decarbonise industrial supply chains. They are also developing policies in this area, including product standards, product labelling, and public and private procurement initiatives.
36
Recommendation
Deferred
First report - Building to net zer…
We recommend that the Infrastructure and Projects Authority establish clear guidance on the criteria for...
We recommend that the Infrastructure and Projects Authority establish clear guidance on the criteria for exemption from conducting whole-life carbon assessments for public works projects. We further recommend that, not later than the spring of 2023, the Government undertake a …
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Government Response
The government is working internationally through the IDDI to establish a common roadmap and principles for whole life carbon and reporting of public construction, and the IPA is running a cross-Whitehall working group to propose a consistent Whole Life Carbon Assessment for public projects by 2023. A consultative process on policies to combat carbon leakage and grow the market for low emissions industrial materials will begin later this year.
39
Recommendation
Deferred
First report - Building to net zer…
We recommend that Ministers urgently commission a comprehensive evaluation of the impact which recent amendments...
We recommend that Ministers urgently commission a comprehensive evaluation of the impact which recent amendments to permitted development rights have had on incentives to retrofit existing properties. The outcome of that evaluation should inform further amendments to the permitted development …
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Government Response
The government will review the National Planning Policy Framework to make sure it contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation as fully as possible, and believe that consideration of retrofit vs demolition is best addressed through this review. They have no plans to carry out specific research of the impact of permitted development rights on incentives to retrofit existing properties, but continue to keep the application of the right under review.
42
Recommendation
Deferred
First report - Building to net zer…
A mandatory requirement to undertake whole-life carbon assessments when undertaking building projects will further incentivise...
A mandatory requirement to undertake whole-life carbon assessments when undertaking building projects will further incentivise retrofitting. This provides another justification for our whole-life carbon recommendation in chapter 2.
Government Response
The government intends to consult in 2023 on measuring and reducing embodied carbon in the built environment.
43
Recommendation
Deferred
First report - Building to net zer…
We recommend that circular economy statements including pre-demolition audits should be a requirement of planning...
We recommend that circular economy statements including pre-demolition audits should be a requirement of planning applications which entail demolition of properties, as is already the case for certain applications which London boroughs are required to refer to the Mayor of …
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Government Response
The government will consider the role of circular economy principles in national planning policy as part of a review of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Government Response AI assessment · 48 of 29 classified
Accepted
14
Acknowledged
20
Deferred
8
Rejected
2
Total
29 recs + 19 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
27 Oct 2022
To committee
Letter from the Minister of State for Local Government, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, dated 18 October 2022
Parliament page
30 Sep 2022
Chair to Secretaries of State BEIS and LUHC re: Sustainability of the built environment Government Response
Parliament page