Recommendations & Conclusions
14 items
6
Recommendation
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
We recommend that Ministers immediately assign responsibility to the relevant member of the BEIS Departmental Board to monitor international policy developments in embodied carbon, with a remit to feed observations into the development of UK policy on embodied and whole-life carbon.
Government response. BEIS is already leading the UK involvement in the Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (IDDI), an international alliance that aims to create markets for low carbon industrial materials, and is planning a roadmap on guidance for harmonisation of product level embodied …
12
Conclusion
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
The National Model Design Code represents a good start to the task of improving efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of materials used in construction. Regrettably, in its current form it does not provide the ambition or detailed guidance necessary if it is to make a meaningful contribution to addressing …
Government response. The government states that the National Model Design Code encourages local councils to set design standards, develop policies that consider the assessment whole life costs and implement sustainable construction, focusing on reducing embodied energy and embedding circular economy principles, and …
14
Conclusion
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
We welcome the Government’s investment in the development of low-carbon cements as set out in the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy. Alongside research and development, more needs to be done to raise awareness of low-carbon cements within the industry and amongst the public, to generate demand and increased investment in these products.
Government response. The government highlights the publication of the Low Carbon Concrete Routemap, a comprehensive guide to reducing carbon emissions associated with the construction industry developed through collaboration by a wide range of independent experts.
15
Recommendation
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy should invest in raising awareness within the industry and amongst the public on the existence and benefits of low-carbon cement and continue to encourage research and development into new low-carbon products.
Government response. BEIS is working with the Green Construction Board, the wider membership of the Construction Leadership Council and the ICE to promote the Low Carbon Concrete Routemap to industry, and outlines the recommendations for clients, designers, contractors and suppliers.
17
Conclusion
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
The reuse of steel components is not yet common practice in the UK. One of the main barriers to steel reuse is the collection, storage, testing and certification of used steel components. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority are already investing in …
Government response. BEIS is continuing progress on providing the sector with support to decarbonise, which includes support provided through the increase of the EII compensation scheme, funding steel projects through programmes such as the Industrial Fuel Switching competition, and the Industrial Energy …
19
Recommendation
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
The Government should work with local authorities to investigate effective and appropriate ways to store and catalogue steel components for reuse and to communicate the availability of components across local area networks of constructors prepared to reuse steel.
Government response. The Government has worked with steel producers and major customers to encourage the development and use of digital information about steel products, to support the use of ‘Object Libraries’ and other digital design tools that accelerate the design of projects, …
21
Conclusion
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
The post-Grenfell prohibition on the use of combustible materials in external walls has had a disproportionate impact on the use, innovation and testing of structural timber. Material safety perceptions have also affected the availability and cost of insurance, making it near impossible for developers to use timber in high rise …
Government response. The Government has kept the outright ban on the use of combustible materials in and on the external walls of new blocks of flats, hospitals, and student accommodation over 18 metres, and introduced statutory guidance for residential buildings between 11 …
24
Recommendation
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
In response to this report, Government should set out how its strategies to develop green jobs will address the need for skills in timber use in construction.
Government response. The cross-government and industry timber in construction working group will design a policy roadmap, with education and skills within the timber in construction sector being a key element. The Government will work with industry to co-ordinate and increase sharing of …
25
Recommendation
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
The Government must invest now in further research and safety testing on the use of structural timber. The outcome of such research must inform a review of all relevant building regulations so as to render them properly applicable to modern timber materials and to ensure that fire safety regulations can …
Government response. The government has committed to encouraging research into barriers to uptake of timber in construction, including looking at timber strength grades and the fire resistance of engineered timber structures. The government also published its response to the combustibles ban consultation …
37
Recommendation
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
We recommend that the Government bring forward legislative proposals, by amending the Procurement Bill if necessary, so as to require a whole-life carbon assessment to be produced as a condition of participation in any tender for publicly financed building projects. (Paragraph 184) Retrofit and reuse of existing buildings
Government response. Contracting Authorities are already able to request a whole-life carbon assessment during the procurement process where relevant and proportionate, and this will remain the case after rules reform.
44
Conclusion
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
A lack of consumer awareness regarding retrofitting solutions, the perception that retrofit work is costly and/or disruptive, and consumer mistrust in the retrofit sector’s ability to deliver quality housing solutions, is creating further barriers to investment in retrofit. In our view there is a clear role for Government to support …
Government response. The Government acknowledges the cost of living pressures and highlights existing support packages. They claim to be stimulating demand for retrofit through direct investment, VAT reduction, strengthening minimum energy performance standards, supporting green finance, and improving consumer understanding, and outline …
45
Recommendation
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
We recommend that the Government work with industry to increase consumer awareness of the environmental and monetary benefits of high-quality retrofit solutions with a view to increasing the uptake of retrofit work in line with the net zero trajectory and at a time of rising energy costs. (Paragraph 220) Skills …
Government response. The government states they are working to review and improve communications to ensure that consumers have access to the information and advice they need to make retrofit decisions. They mention the Simple Energy Advice Service (SEA) and a new heat …
46
Conclusion
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
The present shortage of workers in the energy efficiency and retrofit sector is chronic, given the overall timetable for decarbonisation of properties. This is a point we have repeatedly emphasised in our recent reports. Significant skills gaps also exist in the measurement of embodied and whole-life carbon and the use …
Government response. The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has spent almost £6 million on a skills training competition which delivered around 7000 training opportunities for the energy efficiency and low carbon heating supply chains and are developing options for further …
47
Recommendation
First report - Building to net zero: co…
Accepted
We reiterate our recommendation to develop a retrofit strategy and up-skilling programme for construction to meet the needs of net zero. This should be published before the 2022 summer recess.
Government response. The government asserts that they agree with the committee and highlights the Green Jobs Delivery Group, the Department for Education's Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, free Level 3 qualifications for adults, and the Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel (GAAP) to work …