Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
First report - Building to net zero: costing carbon in construction
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 103
Published 26 May 2022
Recommendations
7
Deferred
Para 75
We recommend that the Government introduce, not later than December 2023, regulations to mandate whole-life...
Recommendation
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 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.
10
Deferred
Para 78
We recommend that a clear timeframe for the introduction of mandatory whole-life carbon assessments and...
Recommendation
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 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.
29
Deferred
Para 165
The Government should conduct a cost-benefit analysis of whether to provide advice or financial support...
Recommendation
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 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.
36
Deferred
Para 183
We recommend that the Infrastructure and Projects Authority establish clear guidance on the criteria for...
Recommendation
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 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 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
Deferred
Para 214
We recommend that Ministers urgently commission a comprehensive evaluation of the impact which recent amendments...
Recommendation
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 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 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
Deferred
Para 217
A mandatory requirement to undertake whole-life carbon assessments when undertaking building projects will further incentivise...
Recommendation
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 Summary
The government intends to consult in 2023 on measuring and reducing embodied carbon in the built environment.
43
Deferred
Para 218
We recommend that circular economy statements including pre-demolition audits should be a requirement of planning...
Recommendation
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 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.
Conclusions (1)
30
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 166
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, …
Government Response 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 this area, including product standards, product labelling, and public and private procurement initiatives.