Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Acknowledged
Local authorities are mandating WLC assessments of their own accord.
Recommendation
Local authorities are mandating WLC assessments of their own accord. Evidence so far shows that the policy is achievable and is working, with few barriers to its introduction. Introducing mandatory WLC assessments for buildings could be an easy way for the Government to dramatically reduce carbon in construction. The industry has repeatedly asked for an ambitious, clear timeframe for when whole-life carbon assessments will become mandatory. This timeline should align with the introduction of the Future Homes Standard, which should itself be brought forward to 2023. This will help bring together efforts to tackle operational and embodied carbon within the same timeframe. (Paragraph 73) 66 Building to net zero: costing carbon in construction
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges calls for a clearer timeline for mainstreaming assessment, management, and reduction of embodied carbon, stating they are engaging with stakeholders, watching the GLA's requirements, and looking at international policy examples to build a robust evidence base.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government’s Net Zero Strategy sets out our ambitions to help the construction sector improve their reporting on embodied carbon in buildings and confirms that we are exploring the potential of a maximum embodied carbon level for new buildings in the future. Following that publication, we have been engaging with a broad range of stakeholders from across industry, academia, and local government to build a robust understanding of the actions industry are already taking and the best way for Government to deliver these commitments. As part of this we are watching the outcomes of the Greater London Authority’s requirements with interest – as well as looking at international policy examples and work already happening in parts of UK industry. These policies and initiatives will contribute towards a robust evidence base, which will enable Government to act appropriately on the commitments made in the Net Zero Strategy to address embodied carbon. We acknowledge, however, calls for a clearer timeline setting out our long-term plan to mainstream assessment, management and reduction of embodied carbon. We discuss our approach to this in our response to Recommendation 7.