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Select Committee · Environmental Audit Committee

Sustainability of the built environment

Status: Closed Opened: 25 Mar 2021 Closed: 26 Jan 2023 29 recommendations 19 conclusions 1 report

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 about the inquiry.

Reports

1 report

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
First report - Building to net zero: costing carbon in cons…	HC 103	26 May 2022	48	Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

8 items

7 Recommendation First report - Building to net zero: co… Deferred

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 Regulations, and ought to be reflected in the planning system … Read more

Government response AI summary

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.

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10 Recommendation First report - Building to net zero: co… Deferred

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 AI summary

The government plans to consult on their approach to embodied carbon in 2023, and further information about this will be provided in due course.

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29 Recommendation First report - Building to net zero: co… Deferred

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 AI summary

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.

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30 Conclusion First report - Building to net zero: co… Deferred

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 initiatives and programmes, set out in the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy, … Read more

Government response AI summary

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 …

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36 Recommendation First report - Building to net zero: co… Deferred

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 feasibility study on the introduction of a low-carbon standard for … Read more

Government response AI summary

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 …

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39 Recommendation First report - Building to net zero: co… Deferred

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 rights regime to ensure full alignment with the Government’s stated … Read more

Government response AI summary

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 …

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42 Recommendation First report - Building to net zero: co… Deferred

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 AI summary

The government intends to consult in 2023 on measuring and reducing embodied carbon in the built environment.

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43 Recommendation First report - Building to net zero: co… Deferred

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 London for consideration. The circular economy statement must explain why … Read more

Government response AI summary

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.

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Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions

Date	Witnesses
19 Jan 2022	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	View ↗
17 Nov 2021	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	View ↗
20 Oct 2021	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	View ↗
14 Jul 2021	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	View ↗

Who gave evidence

25 witnesses

Witness	Organisation	Sessions
Adam Mactavish · Director	Currie & Brown	1
Alexia Laird · Sustainability Manager	Landsec	1
Caterina Brandmayr · Head of climate policy	Green Alliance	1
Catherine Adams · Director of Net Zero and Greener Building	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities	1
Damitha Adikaari · Director for Climate Science and Energy Innovation	Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy	1
Dr Alice Moncaster · Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering and Innova…	The Open University	1
Dr Alice Owen · Professor: Business Sustainability and Stakeholde…	University of Leeds	1
Dr Danielle Densley Tingley · Senior Lecturer in Architectural Engineering	The University of Sheffield	1
Dr Jannik Giesekam · Chancellor's Fellow (Lecturer), Department of Civ…	University of Strathclyde	1
Dr Joe Jack Williams · Associate, Researcher	Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios	1
Dr Tia Kansara · Entrepreneur and co-founder	Kansara Hackney Ltd	1
Eddie Hughes · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister …	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities	1
Elaine Toogood · Head Of Architecture	MPA The Concrete Centre	1
Emily Huynh · Technical Adviser for Advancing Net Zero	UK Green Building Council	1
Jane Anderson · Board Member	The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP)	1
Louisa Bowles · Representative	LETI (London Energy Transformation Initiative)	1
Michael H. Ramage · Director	Centre for Natural Material Innovation, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge	1
Ms Phoebe MacDonald · Senior Policy and Public Affairs Advisor	Royal Institute of British Architects	1
Peter Conboy · Development Director	igloo Regeneration Ltd	1
Rhian Williams · Principal Strategic Planner (London Plan)	Greater London Authority	1
Robert Lambe · Fellow	Chartered Institute of Building	1
Sam Liptrott · Director	OFR Consultants, Fire and Risk Consultants	1
The Lord Callanan · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister …	Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy	1
The Rt Hon. the Lord Deben · Chair	Climate Change Committee	1
Will Arnold · Head of Climate Action	The Institution of Structural Engineers	1

Correspondence

2 letters

Date	Direction	Title
27 Oct 2022	To cttee	Letter from the Minister of State for Local Government, Department for Levellin…
30 Sep 2022	—	Chair to Secretaries of State BEIS and LUHC re: Sustainability of the built env…