Sustainable Living;Sustainable Homes

Transforming housing systems to tackle climate change and

promote sustainability

Chris ChurchCo-Chair ANPED

Director, CEAFounder, Sustainable Tower Blocks

Initiative

Before we start…The challenge from Copenhagen:( the International Scientific Congress on ‘Climate Change: Global

Risks, Challenges & Decisions

A few key phrases: Recent observations confirm that the worst-case IPCC

scenario trajectories (or even worse) are being realised. Societies are highly vulnerable to even modest levels of

climate change, with poor nations and communities particularly at risk.

We already have tools and approaches to deal effectively with the climate change challenge.

A wide range of benefits will flow from a concerted effort to alter our energy economy now.

There is no excuse for inaction.

Promoting sustainable living through the

housing sector.The key issues: Homes as buildings Homes as places where things happen The places where these homes are

The key audiences: People who live in homes People who own / manage groups of homes People who design / build

It will be important to lead by example: transformation is needed across the housing sector

The UK position

26 million homes which emitted 41.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) in 2004, about 28% of our CO2e emissions

The challenge is an 80% cut by 2050 (although this may not be enough)

How do we decarbonise housing?

1. Homes as buildings

Two thirds of the homes likely to exist in 2050 already do

New buildings are usually much more efficient than old.

The greatest savings will come from retro-fitting

Some agencies support increased replacement (demolition) of the oldest homes at a rate similar to that seen in the 1970s

The role of Regulation

Improved legal standards are having an impact. A new home is likely to be 40% more energy

efficient than one built just ten years ago, and six times more efficient most 100 year old housing

27 per cent of buildings constructed before 1919 achieve ‘SAP rating’ of under 41 (out of 100)

Most homes built since 1990 achieve higher than 70

But it’s not enough!

The UK also has A voluntary Code for Sustainable (new)

Homes. ‘Warm Front’ – to tackle ‘fuel poverty’ ( and

save half a million tonnes of carbon each year until 2010.) Inadequate funding for each home means that full benefits not being delivered.

The ‘Decent Homes’ programme – tackling poorest homes (better bathrooms etc.) but also energy savings

How far do new regulations trigger technological spin-offs that can be used to retrofit existing homes?

Other ways forward

Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT). A £2.8 Bn programme (funded by energy suppliers) to see 2.9 million cavity walls filled, 2.7 million lofts insulated, 110 million energy-efficient light bulbs provided 90,000 homes switched to more efficient fuel systems

Energy performance certificates A code for existing homes? minimum

standards, leading to compulsory upgrading

Whose homes?

Private rented: 12% per cent of housing stock in England

Social rented housing: 18% 70 % privately owned housing. 13000 private landlords (only 1,500

social providers). Most landlords own only 1 or 2

properties – what incentives to invest?

Meanwhile in Germany…

17.3 million residential buildings (cf 26 million in the UK, although higher population).

35% are owner-occupied (70% in the UK) A more developed microtechnology market (higher levels

of skills in its workforce, lower prices for many products ) Solar panels are about half the price offered in the UK, 2006 German Government 20-year programme to bring

all pre-1984 dwellings up to current new-build standards by 2025. Will cost an estimated 1 Bn euros.

More microgeneration due partly to “feed-in” tariffs (the sums paid above market value of the electricity produced)

2. Homes as places where things happen

Action is needed to reduce emissions that result from heating, lighting, water use and the way we manage our homes. Changes will come from:

Behaviour change (landlords etc. limited influence)

Quick / low-cost improvements— draught proofing, insulation

Newer technologies - micro-generation, CHP

Microgeneration

Much of this is tokenistic and not economic at present (esp. in urban areas)

Solar water heaters offer good payback Benefits will come from collective action Need for new funding regime (cf Germany)

– this is now promised There are currently c. 100000

microgeneration installations in the UK, (cf 82000 in 2004); 80% are Solar Thermal

Into the future

The potential is great - estimated potential in 2050: (% of electricity demand) Photovoltaics: 3.8% Small-scale wind 6.0% Small scale CHP 6.4% Fuel cells 25%+ (and solar thermal)

Behaviour Change and basic improvements

Linked to many factors, notably trust, engagement with issues, costs, etc.

Many programmes to support behaviour change, mostly from green organisations

Much uptake is still from ‘positive green’ sector of society

Large social landlords can play a key roleN.B. In 1970, the average UK house was heated

to 12°C, by 2003 this had risen to 18°C.

Full impact assessment

Buildings impact the environment during construction, use and demolition.

New low-carbon technologies needed Much more reuse of post-demolition

materials A role for the third sector in stimulating

this work

The places where these homes are Decarbonising poses challenges for the

places where we build our homes Higher density settlements save carbon but

are not in line with many people’s aspirations Links to public transport and other facilities

will be critical to cut transport emission

Any assessment of sustainable homes needs to consider: Land Use Transport Local infrastructure Water supply

So what’s a sustainable home?

Is this a sustainable home?

The Leicester Ecohome…

So what’s really sustainable?

Is this?

So what’s really sustainable?

An earth-sheltered home

So what’s really sustainable?

Are these?

Refurbished tower blocks…

The challenge of densification

High density homes… Lower land take… Support high quality public

transport… Energy efficiency… Not just ‘micro’ generation… Collective living…

Delivering change: The role of NGOs and civil society

Advocacy for higher standards Encouraging behaviour change Developing pilot projects on renewables

and efficiency

Delivering energy services• NGOs can play a critical role (learning from work on waste and food production)• A developing body of good practice• Community-managed Energy Service Companies (ESCO) providing a range of energy solutions energy savings projects, energy infrastructure, and energy supply.

In Albert Square… The ASSA Home Energy project – looking to

tackle big old 19th Century homes… Aim to develop a Low Emissions Energy

Network (LEEN) to serve all members of the community:1. educate residents and landlords about the economic and environmental benefits2. make it easy and affordable to implement 3. provide an on-going support network to sustain the savings

A full suite of energy services including microgeneration – a community ‘Energy Supply Company’

Making change happen: Who needs to act?

The people who live in those 26 million homes

Landlords and homeowners, Local and central government, Builders, engineers, installation experts and

planning departments

Civil society needs to link work on improved standards to other aspects of work on climate change and consumption

What needs to happen

Increased standards in every nation… All new buildings are built to zero-emission

and high environmental standards A programme for existing homes Large developments should generate

renewable power on-site Programmes to end fuel poverty and

encourage energy efficiency through retrofit

Expansion of combined heat and power (CHP)

Change is needed from now (not in five years time…)